We had the good fortune of connecting with Rachel Oto and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Rachel, we’d love to hear about how you approach risk and risk-taking
I think it’s important to take risks, but even more important to be able to recognize the risks when faced with them. Risk is a metric in the decision-making process. It’s reward versus loss. I try to treat it like one more data point to help guide the direction I’m going in.

When I was younger, I took some risks without necessarily realizing I was taking them, and, in something of a whirlwind, wound up in a rough spot that took years to recover from. I can’t say that I regret the risks I took, but looking back, I can see the mistakes in my calculations by not properly accounting for the risk involved.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I am a singer and songwriter (Saloon Rock/Cinematic Indie). Currently, I am most proud of my newest single “Demons”, and most excited about my upcoming EP, to be released later this year.

I craft the fight songs for your everyday life. We are all constantly in battle with something, whether it be another person, or an idea, or our own emotions, and my goal is to make sure you always have the perfect song to sing while you fight those battles.

I owe a lot of my success to the team that I’ve managed to build around me. Ten years ago, the thought of “networking” would’ve made me shudder, but I’ve learned that the most fruitful type of networking usually feels very natural and often results in real friendships. By building my network and finding my team, I’ve been able to create music, play shows, and build worlds.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I may have gotten a little excited on this one…LA has so much to offer!

Day 1 – Start the day in Little Tokyo. Breakfast at one of the bakeries or maybe grab something light from Nijiya or Marukai. Visit the Japanese American National Museum. Lunch at Ebisu. Visit the shops at Japanese Village Plaza and surrounding streets. Drinks at Angel City Brewery. Dinner at Wurstkuche. Dessert at The Pie Hole.

Day 2 – Depends on the visitor, but start the day at Santee Alley and the Fashion District, followed by a trip to The Last Book Store and Gather DTLA. Walk through the Historic Core. Lunch at Grand Central Market. Quick ride on Angel’s Flight. Visit The Broad. Dinner somewhere…swanky?…Perch?

Day 3 – First half of the day at The Getty Villa. Then spend the evening visiting Santa Monica Pier, walk on the beach, etc. Dinner at The Gallery Food Hall. Walk the Promenade.

Day 4 – Morning trip to see the Endeavor at the California Science Center. Spend the afternoon at Wi Spa on the edge of Koreatown. Korean barbecue for dinner.

Day 5 – Start the day at the La Brea Tar Pits and Museum. Lunch at The Original Farmer’s Market and/or The Grove. Drive the Sunset Strip. If they’re feeling swanky, dinner around Rodeo Drive, otherwise drive to Westwood for In-n-Out and Diddy Riese.

Day 6 – Universal Studios! Keep things simple and eat dinner at CityWalk.

Day 7 – Brunch picnic along Fern Dell Nature Trail. Experience Hollywood Boulevard, from Highland to Vine. Dinner from In-n-Out. Drive up to Griffith Observatory to catch the sunset. Ice Cream at Mashti Malone’s and/or drinks at The Woods.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
My parents, for the values they passed on to me and their unwavering support. And my pack—Andrew Monheim (AndromiDen Recordings, Monheim Mics), Ojo de Loba, Poeina, Jezebel Sweet, Rehuauahi, and many more— for their constant creativity and fire.

Website: RachelOto.com

Instagram: @rotosings

Twitter: @rotosings

Facebook: @rotosings

Other: RachelOto.bandcamp.com

Image Credits
Ojo de Loba

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