Meet Rachel Rose | Songwriter/Singer/Producer

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

Hi Rachel, what role has risk played in your life or career?

For me, you have to jump in to swim, but furthermore, you have to jump in to surf. Anytime I’ve ever grown – it’s been from something that scared the sh*t out of me. Just like a huge wave you see coming at you from the distance- you know if you are brave enough to try to catch it – that ride is going to be incredible, you’re going to feel alive & free. I live to surf & I try to take on that wave every single day.

For example, this year I moved to LA from Boston & and I didn’t know anybody here & had nowhere to perform. So, I created “Queer Sounds” a monthly curated songwriter showcase at The Crow in Santa Monica. I was so nervous I would fail – I wouldn’t sell tickets, etc. But there was a louder voice in me that truly believed in Queer Sounds & the purpose of the show. A year later we have sold out every single show consecutively month to month, I’ve met incredible friends, built a community, & given incredible artists a stage & platform to share their truths.

From booking a one way ticket to LA with a suitcase, my guitar, & no plan, to playing music at gas stations for strangers, to creating “Queer Sounds” & releasing my music independently – surf’s up and it feels incredible.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?

When I picked up a guitar at age 18 – I started writing songs immediately. Suddenly, what I couldn’t say, I could sing. Discovering my queer identity – my songs became a way to turn shame into celebration, taking my pain and turning it into my purpose. Nothing about sharing my songs is easy, that’s been the hardest challenge – choosing to be brave for that one person who might need to hear my song and feel less alone. I find courage when telling my truth in melodies.

I always say, “I make music to make sense of things”. All the hardships I have endured, I write about in my songs, I find reason in that process.

I am a biracial, bi-religious, queer ice hockey player turned musician – I have never fit into any boxes & I never will. My songs create a space for me to just exist as me and be confident in that. My genre, like myself, is multifaceted – seasonings of pop, rock, country, r & b, alt, folk are shaken into each track. I describe my musical genre as “my truth sewn in melody.”

I don’t believe anything worth having is easy – and a career as a musician is one of the hardest careers you can pursue. To be successful in music you have to love the work. You have to fall in love with the hustle, the flow, & demand that this career requires. It’s a mind, body, & soul commitment. I have overcome a great deal of rejection & heaps of obstacles because I have never lost sight of why I was doing this work. As long as you know your “Why” – you will persevere & find strength to keep going.

Right now, I am most excited about releasing my debut album this Summer, which I have been working on for the past three years.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Omg. This question is hard because I’ve only been in LA for a year and I just got my car here. OK. Here goes nothing. We are having breakfast at Bluey’s in Santa Monica. Best food & vibes. Then we’re taking a drive down the PCH with a killer playlist & hitting the beach. A stop at Salt and Straw for an ice cream, sight see in Malibu & take an afternoon walk through Lake Shrine in the Palisades, one of the most magical places on earth. Nighttime we make our way out to WEHO for some dinner at Bacari & live music at Hotel Cafe? How’d I do?

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?

There are more people to thank for where I am than I can count on 2 hands – and I know I am incredibly lucky to be able to say that.

My family, who has always encouraged me to follow my dreams & be myself. I was lucky at a young age to know the value of happiness – as my parents only ever wanted us kids to be happy (no matter what we did with our lives) – that is what made them most proud. Because of that, when I found music and the happiness it brought me – I knew my path. So much so that I dropped out of a traditional college to go to a music school, but that’s a story for another day.

My friends (chosen family) who celebrate all my wins with me and who are the first to pick me up when I fall – they show me the sun when it’s hiding behind the clouds & drag me to the mirror & remind me who I am when I lose my way. I truly believe in a higher power due to the souls I have crossed paths with on this earth who have become my closest friends – a cosmic non-coincidental blessing, in my opinion.

The truth is – it takes a village & you can’t get anywhere great alone. I stand in eternal gratitude for the village I’m in.

Website: http://iamrachelrose.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rachh.ro/?hl=en

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RachelR0se

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCBmG_Nzygjoz0xzc4g0ZAqw

Image Credits
Photographers: Jenna Freeman , Zachary McCabe, Emily Zaboski