Random facts about Miss Rachel:

 Q: What are you like?

 I’m silly.

 Q. Where are you from?

 I grew up in Springvale, Maine. I currently live in an amazing city called Portland, Maine.

 Q: When did you start writing music?

I can’t remember a time where songs didn’t dance around in my head. La la la…. I’ve always narrated my life in song. At age nine I wrote my first piano/vocal tune. Someone upset me at school, and the way I defused the emotion was writing a song. I actually thought that everyone wrote songs for awhile, because it’s always been something I’ve done. Lalalalalaa

 Q: What inspires you to write music?

I’ve always been the home of worlds and worlds of emotion and I navigate those worlds through songs. I have to write or I’ll start getting lost! The desire to understand myself/a difficult situation better and the desire to heal/grow/change inspires me to write. Sadness, joy, love, God, intimacy, relationships, getting myself in trouble, making mistakes, a deep longing to help my fellow person, and a hope for peace and the cultivation of a more loving human family inspire me to write.

 Q: Advice for singer/songwriters just starting out?

 I’d say have confidence that you are capable of creating beauty, because you are. Don’t let others opinions and judgments deter you from sharing your truth with us. Some will like your music, some won’t- that’s inevitable because we all have different taste in music. Don’t compare yourself with others too much because you have something unique to offer that no one else has. Don’t strive for fame, because fame itself has never made anyone truly happy. Strive to speak your truth, stir souls, inspire minds and help us grow and change. Be bold.

Q: Can you talk a little about your songwriting process?

 I write songs by ear. I write by intuition and by matching the sounds of the chords with what I am feeling/processing. I never think about keys or chord names or any technical aspects of music. I don’t see the piano that way. My brain has never really understood that stuff fully. Reading music has always been very, very challenging for me. What a silly brain. I love you, brain, even though you are somewhat silly. You are my friend. See? So silly.

 Q: Why do you like Mr. Rogers so much?

 I love Mr. Rogers so much and want to be like him. I find him incredibly inspirational. For those of you who don't know, Mr. Rogers was a minister. I think it’s wonderful how Mr. Rogers used the media to bring beautiful and encouraging messages to children. I would like to use music to bring beautiful messages to people, like Mr. Rogers did with TV. But I won’t be breaking out any puppets at my shows… yet.

It's such a good feeling to know you're alive.

It's such a happy feeling: You're growing inside.

And when you wake up ready to say,

"I think I'll make a snappy new day."

It's such a good feeling, a very good feeling,

The feeling you know that we're friends. – Mr. Rogers

 Remember? :) 

 Q: Who inspires you musically?

At the top would be Stevie Wonder & Ben Folds. They have inspired me for a long time and will always inspire me. I love listening to piano playing singer/songwriters. Currently I am being inspired by Rufus Wainwright & James Morrison.

 Q: What do you do besides your music career?

I’m finishing up my bachelors, which I do through independent studies, so I have more time to sing sing sing all day long! Two more semesters and I’m finished. I’ve been studying primarily music and religion.

 Q: Future plans?

The older I get the more I realize I just want to use the gifts and talents I possess to help people and bring people joy, one day at a time. My future plan is to try and be more present. Hehehe No, but seriously, lets see. I am working on a brand new album, which will be out in 6 months or so. I am incredibly excited about it! It will be with a full band! EEEE! I plan to keep writing music, studying, making albums and videos, rolling down hills and into people hearts. YES!