Musician Spotlight: Singer/Songwriter Rachel Platten

Musician Spotlight: Singer/Songwriter Rachel Platten
BY: David Mills

New York City, New York - Our latest "Musician Spotlight" is on the talented singer, songwriter, pianist and beatboxer Rachel, who sounds wonderful. Rachel has great style of music, songwriting and singer. Some of her songs are "Thousand Ships", "Don't Care What Time It Is", Take These Things Away", "Overwhelmed", 53 Steps and "Nothing Ever Happens", just to name a few of her great songs. This "Musician Spotlight" will have biography, future appearances, official sites, Q&A that we conducted, some photographs and a few of videos to give you a taste of her singing.

Beautiful, but not brazen. Passionate, but never preachy. Populist, but definitely not prosaic. New York City singer-songwriter, pianist and beatboxer Rachel Platten is by no means your average headliner-in-the-making.  Her Rock Ridge Music debut, Be Here, is a bewitching collection of 10 wise-beyond-their-years piano-driven pop songs that echo elements of Alanis Morissette, Carole King, Tori Amos and Regina Spektor, while retaining a singular sense of self that is rarely found in such a young performer.

Be Here was born over the course of an epic trans-Atlantic journey that took the singer-songwriter from London to Los Angeles, on to Stockholm and then back home to New York City. At each stop, she collaborated with top-tier production teams, including Fredrik Thomander (*NSYNC, Lady Gaga), Jerry Abbott and Grant Black (Robbie Williams, Britney Spears) and the Wizardz of Oz  (MoZella, Britney Spears). The results are immediately appealing, spirit lifting, heartwarming and mind opening no matter where in the world you are.

Platten’s uplifting, instantly catchy anthems celebrate the love and light in the world with a passionate intensity that has been missing on the radio dial for far too long. “I write songs that are universally understandable,” says Platten. “They’re positive and poppy, without ever sacrificing the hard truths out there that we all have to live through.” A perfect example is the head bobbing, spirit raising “Nothing Ever Happens.” Platten melds introspection to inspiration as she sings, “Never be a winner if you're not in the game/Nothing ever happens if you always play it safe/So, make a little space/And get out of your own way.”

On the swooning “Little Light,” Platten’s voice manages to perfectly skate the fine line between hopeful and inspirational as she sings, “Just looking for a little light to illuminate/The truth in the stillness after everything is blown away/Life fades in the cuts and the struggles/You just need a light at the end of the tunnel.” The ebullient “53 Steps” is a twisting, tumbling rave-up that recalls Fiona Apple at her cheeriest crossed with Ray of Light-era Madonna. “That has been an anthem for me,” says Platten. “I have the burning desire to be on the road, because there’s something magical that happens when you get to travel the world.”

“Overwhelmed” was written during one such globetrotting expedition to the UK, but its inspiration came at the oddest moment. “I woke up with the melody at 4 AM, but I had no way to record it,” says Platten. “So I just kept singing it over and over until I got to the studio.” The result is a poppy pick-me-up that finds Platten reassuring herself, “We get down, down, down/We all need somebody's help/Let's get loud, loud, loud till there's love and nothing else/'Cause the more that you give the more that comes back around.”

Songs like these brighten days, bring joy and stir greatness. “I want people to feel good when they listen to my songs, but never on a superficial level,” says Platten. “You have to recognize that life is hard and there will be pain, but there is always joy in it and you can overcome it. You can always find beauty around you.” With songs as good as these, there is beauty to spare on Be Here.

This head-turning debut is the culmination of Platten’s lifelong passion for music. She started piano lessons when she was only four and spent her childhood soaking up a stunning spectrum of influences; everything from the Beatles to Billy Joel, Motown to Madonna and Tapestry to Graceland. When Lauryn Hill, and later the Roots, were added into the rotation, Platten discovered beatboxing.

In college, Platten began taking her first steps into the world of songwriting. She went abroad in 2005 to the Caribbean isle of Trinidad, where she landed an internship at a local record label. One of the soul- and calypso-fusing soca bands she was working with scored a hit during carnival season and Platten was recruited to sing backup on a whirlwind tour through the islands. It was her first taste of performing for huge crowds, and the experience lit a fire inside her.

When she returned to the States, Platten enrolled in a songwriting course at the Berklee College of Music before heading to New York City in the fall of 2006. Over the next four years, she wrote the songs that make up Be Here, put together a band and toured at every opportunity, scoring opening slots for The Strokes, Ziggy Marley, Regina Spektor, Ingrid Michaelson, and Rusted Root. Her dynamic live shows earned raves from the Boston Globe, who called her “breathtaking and brilliant,” and the New York Post, who declared that she “blend[ed] sweet delicateness with pluck.”

This praise is just the beginning for this vibrant singer-songwriter. Be Here is an ecstatic confirmation that pop music can have heart, soul, depth and gravity, while still inspiring you to sing along at the top of your lungs. It’s time to listen up and Be Here now.

Rachel Platten's official sites are listed below with questions that we had the pressure to ask her.

www.rachelplatten.com

www.twitter.com/rachelplatten

www.facebook.com/rachelplattenmusic

www.myspace.com/rachelp
http://www.youtube.com/user/Rachelplatten

When did you start singing and why?

    I started singing when I was really little, maybe 3 or so - my mom recently told me I was a little hyper as a kid and the only way to get me to calm down was to sing to me. I guess I learned the songs very quickly and would sing along with her. 

Was it your dream to be a singer and songwriter?

    I think deep down yes, but not a dream that was vocalized or prescient in my mind until I was in college. 

Who inspires you in your singing and why? Eva Cassidy, Lauryn Hill, Patti Griffin, Susan Tedeschi are my favorite singers - they make their voices dance and play with melodies without straying too far from the song. 

Explain your style of music?

Sunny soulful pop

Thousand ships is a great song. How did you come up with the lyrics? The lyrics came very quickly in my hotel room in Stockholm, Sweden at 4 in the morning. I had written the melody that day and had only the following afternoon to record the demo (the piano and vocal) before I left for the States. Sometimes I have to struggle hard for lyrics and other times they feel as if they've already been written. This song feels like I just caught it fully formed out of the sky.

Along the same line, what is Nothing Ever Happens about? I wrote it for my sister when she was a little depressed living in LA, but I think by the end of the song I realized it was also for me. A little wake-up call of sorts to take back control of your life / to get out of your own way and see the good stuff around you. 

How do you come up with the lyrics for your songs? I first try to have an overarching theme for them and then follow Paul Simon’s rule of thumb - 2 phrases that make sense and move the theme along for every 1 creative, nonsensical, feel-good phrase. 

Is writing songs easy for you? Sometimes! But other times it can feel quite hard.  Songwriting is a muscle and it's a cliché but true - the more you use it, the more control you have over it. 

Do you love performing and being on tour? Absolutely!

So far, where has been your favorite place to perform? The Varsity Theatre in Minneapolis was my favorite venue on the Andy Grammer tour - great staff and vibe!

In your own words, what is the best part of being a Musician/Singer? Living my dream and exploring the country on tour. 

Do you have anything to say to your fans and supporters?

 I hope I say it enough… but I am so incredibly grateful for their support. I am indie artist and I rely on my fans for so much - it's amazing how much they do!

What do you do in your free time? I don't remember what free time is! Kidding. Lots of yoga, sitting on my couch and catching up on TV shows I never get to see, seeking out healthy vegan stores, some thrift store shopping, and basically relaxing. 

Rachel you have great style of singing and lyrics for your songs. What do you hope to accomplish in the coming years?

Thank you. I hope to continue to create music that uplifts and resonates, reach a million more people's ears, travel the world, win a Grammy and create a charity. :)  Ya know, minor stuff.

Finally, what advice do you have for those wanting to get into being a Singer/Musician? Believe in yourself fiercely. Be your biggest fan and work harder than anyone else. 

We want to share with you all Rachel Platten upcoming live performances. Rachel is a great singer/songwriter that you should go out and see, if you can.

• Monday, February 13 8:00 pm
• supporting Matt Nathanson
• The Varsity Theatre: 3353 Highland Rd., Baton Rouge, LA (MAP)
• $20 (Buy tickets)
• Share

• Friday, February 17 8:00 pm
• supporting Matt Nathanson
• Beacham Theatre: 46 North Orange Avenue, Orlando, FL (MAP)
• $20 - $35 (Buy tickets)
• Share

• Saturday, February 18 6:00 pm
• Rachel Platten Headline Show w/ Bess Rogers
• Smith's Old Bar: 1578 Piedmont Ave, Atlanta, GA (MAP)
• (Buy tickets)
• Share

• Sunday, February 19 8:00 pm
• Rachel Platten w/Bess Rogers @The Garage (Durham, NC)
• The Garage: 723 Rigsbee Ave, Durham, NC (MAP)
• $7 adv/ $ 9 at door (Buy tickets)
• Share

• Tuesday, February 21 8:00 pm
• Rachel Platten w/ Bess Rogers @ The Evening Muse (Charlotte, NC) 2/21
• The Evening Muse: 3227 N Davidson St., Charlotte, NC (MAP)
• $10 adv. (Buy tickets)
• Share

• Wednesday, February 22 7:30 pm
• Rachel Platten w/ Bess Rogers @ Jammin' Java
• Jammin' Java: Vienna, VA, Vienna, VA (MAP)
• $10 adv. / $ 13 day of (Buy tickets)
• Share

• Thursday, February 23 8:00 pm
• Rachel Platten @ The Basement (Columbus, OH) 2/23
• The Basement: 391 Neil Ave., Columbus, OH (MAP)
• $10 adv/ $12 day of show (Buy tickets)
• Share

• Friday, February 24 7:00 pm
• supporting Matt Nathanson
• Headliners Music Hall: 1386 Lexington Rd., Louisville, KY (MAP)
• $20 (Buy tickets)
• Share

• Saturday, February 25 8:00 pm
• Rachel Platten@The National Underground (Nashville, TN) 2/25
• The National Underground: 105 Broadway suite 101, Nashville, TN (MAP)
• Free Show
• Share

• Sunday, February 26 7:00 pm
• supporting Matt Nathanson
• The Bluebird: 216 N Walnut St., Bloomington, IN (MAP)
• $26.25 (Buy tickets)
• Share

• Tuesday, February 28 7:00 pm
• Rachel Platten Headline @ Club Cafe (Pittsburgh, PA) 2/28
• Club Cafe: 56-58 S 12th St., Pittsburgh, PA (MAP)
• $8 (Buy tickets)
• Share

• Wednesday, February 29 8:00 pm
• supporting Matt Nathanson
• Jefferson Theater: 110 East Main Street, Charlottesville, VA (MAP)
• $20 (Buy tickets)
• Share

• Wednesday, February 29 8:00 pm
• Rachel Platten w/ Matt Nathanson @ Jefferson Theater (Charlottesville, VA) 2/29
• Jefferson Theater: 110 East Main Street, Charlottesville, VA (MAP)
• $20 adv./$22 day of (Buy tickets)
• Share

• Thursday, March 1 8:00 pm
• supporting Matt Nathanson
• The Paramount: 370 New York Ave, Huntington, NY (MAP)
• $20 and up (Buy tickets)
• Share

• Friday, March 2 8:00 pm
• supporting Matt Nathanson
• The Wellmont Theatre: 5 Seymour St., Montclair, NJ (MAP)
• $18 (Buy tickets)
• Share

• Saturday, March 3 7:00 pm
• supporting Matt Nathanson
• Calvin Theater: 19 King St., Northampton, MA (MAP)
• $20 - $25 (Buy tickets)
• Share

• Sunday, March 4 8:00 pm
• Rachel Platten w/ Matt Nathanson@ Water Street Music Hall (Rochester, NY) 3/4
• Water Street Music Hall: 204 N. Water Street, Rochester, NY (MAP)
• on sale 1/27 (Buy tickets)
• Share

• Tuesday, March 6 8:00 pm
• Rachel Platten @House of Blues Cambridge Room (Cleveland,OH) 3/6
• House of Blues Cleveland: 308 Euclid Ave., Cleveland, OH (MAP)
• (Buy tickets)
• Share

• Thursday, March 8 8:00 pm
• Rachel Platten @The Crofoot-Vernor's Room
• The Crofoot: 1 S Saginaw St., Pontiac, MI (MAP)
• (Buy tickets)
• Share

• Friday, March 9 7:00 pm
• Rachel Platten w/ Matt Nathanson@The Intersection( Grand Rapids, MI) 3/9
• The Intersection: 133 Grandville Ave. SW, Grand Rapids, MI (MAP)
• $17/$20 (Buy tickets)
• Share

• Saturday, March 10 8:00 pm
• Rachel Platten@Redamte Coffee House (Madison, WI) 3/10
• Redamte Coffee House: Madison, WI (MAP)
• (Buy tickets)

More of Rachel's tour dates can be accessed by clicking here.

Rachel has a very bright future ahead with her great singing, songwriter and piano playing. We can't wait to see what happens to Rachel's career in the coming year. Miss. Platten was asked to create a theme song for ABC Family's Jane By Design. She says: The song I wrote w/ my friends Sons of Radio is called "Work of Art" and you can all hear it tonight when the show premieres at 9pm EST. I watched a couple of the episodes already & it's REALLY really good. 

One additional reason to watch- they are also using a bunch of songs off of my record, BE HERE throughout the season

Our next "Musician Spotlight" will be on Sabrina Carpenter, going live on Friday the seventeenth of February.

Rocky Coast News is pleased to have Rachel Platten as our latest "Musician Spotlight", where we highlight, promote up and coming musicians that have amazing vocals, sound, style and/or who are able to play an instrument well singing.

Rocky Coast News

Reporter, David Mills

Rockland, ME 04841

rockycoastnews@live.com

Rocky Coast News is a division of Rocky Coast Media delivering Nautical, Community & Entertainment News