MMM- When did you first realize music was where you wanted to take your life, and what event inspired that realization?
 
 
RACHEL- I grew up around my town’s teen-rock heroes, dated guitar-playing longhairs and found myself being the only girl among the musicians I knew. I was always trying to force the metal heads to use my lyrics. Around 17 I found my own voice and was encouraged by the friends I respected. I joined a few bands, eventually became disgruntled with being regarded as a ‘girl-singer’, bought a 4 track and a Dr. Rhythm and then began writing and recording songs on my own. It was an amazing release of energy, to be able to take an emotion and build a song to fit it. Writing became my sanity and way of clearing out negative feelings... It was around that time that I met a man who inspired me to look at my music as more than something I did—but as a career... I quit art school, with the philosophy of burning the bridges that would keep me ‘safe’, and I have never looked back.
 
 

MMM- Through your experiences as an emerging singer/songwriter in the music business, is there any advice that you would offer to other artists who may just be starting their careers?
 
 
RACHEL- Don't believe that anyone (no matter who they know) is going hand you anything or make success happen for you. Take responsibility for everything. And don't hire an idiot to be your manager.
 
 

MMM- Can you give me a discography (even professional demo. tapes)?
 
 
RACHEL- I have a truckload of rough demos but I am right now working to
upgrade them to professional recordings… I’m focusing on that now with the new CD.
 
 

MMM- Looking back, and forward over your catalog of original songs, do you have any personal favorites?
 
I would lean toward Swim, Oil, or Truth Is.
 
 

MMM- Who are some of your influences?
 
 
RACHEL- I'm attracted to female musicians who are strong, confident beings... able to express thoughts and experiences of all natures explicitly, while being sexy and intriguing at the same time... I would say the top three favorites are always PJ Harvey, Liz Phair and Ani Defranco.
 
 

MMM- Can you tell me more about your upcoming CD? When is it expected to be released?
 
 
RACHEL- I expect that it will be released in the late summer. I am finishing up a 3 song CD now that will be available in the meantime. The full CD hasbeen a long time in the works and I have come up against one block after the other, but I think it’s all been for the best. I have taken totally different paths to get this thing done than I originally thought I would and have learned a lot about patience and self-discipline.
 
 

MMM- Please, if possible, describe the sound of your music in one sentence...
 
 
RACHEL- It’s somewhere in the outskirts of the pop/rock vicinity- hooky, genuine and moody; combining electronics and natural instruments with distinctive attention put on the lyrics.