Rachel Brown’s new EP, Building Castles, has a bit of an Ingrid Michaelson meets Colbie Caillat feel and I absolutely love it! The 6 songs are fun and have a bit of a summer feel. I couldn’t help but smile as I listened to some of the tracks of the EP which are listed below. Rachel is more than a voice though, she is also a Harvard grad. I had a chance to get some questions answered and they are right below the tracklist! Make sure to grab the EP and take some time to kick back and relax and enjoy the music.
Bumblebee
Four Leaf Clovers
Rockstar
Your Little Act
Falling In Love Backwards
On Your Side
Arin: What initially got you into music?
Rachel: I’ve always loved music, but it wasn’t until after I finished high school that I fulfilled a longtime dream and bought a guitar. I started learning from a book; and every time I learned a new chord; I’d write a new song. I fell in love with writing and the whole thing evolved from there!
A: Who are some of your biggest influences?
R: There are artists I’m consciously inspired by – Wyclef Jean, Bob Marley – and then there are many that I’m sure have influenced me without me realizing. I always have an ear open for clever songwriting and melodies, and that list goes on and on.
A: What direction would you like your music to go in?
R: I hope to be constantly evolving. I started out just me and my guitar, and I was lucky enough to find incredible musicians to bring to life the sounds [that] I had in my head and then some. There’s now seven of us in a regular live show and there are still some instruments I’d like to see added!
A: What do you most look forward to with the release of your debut EP?
R: Finally having the chance to share the songs I’ve worked so hard on! I’ve grown a lot over the past couple of years and I’m really proud of this EP. I can’t wait to let everyone else in on what’s been going on behind the studio doors!
A: How did you narrow down and pick the six songs people will hear?
R: I recorded “Bumblebee” before I had concrete plans for the EP and I definitely wanted to have that on the record. Then, I sat down with Scott Jacoby, who produced several of the others tracks on the EP, and played him every song I had ever written. We narrowed it down to what we thought would make the best collection for the EP and then got to work. After we finished what was to be all the tracks on the EP, I ended up recording two additional songs with Bill Lefler, who produced “Bumblebee;” and from those eight, I selected the six songs you hear on Building Castles.
A: What was it like to have Wyclef Jean join you on stage multiple times now?
R: Surreal. I’ve always been a huge admirer of his work, so to have him open his stage to me – let alone surprise me on mine – was truly beyond my wildest dreams. It’s really amazing how supportive he is of new artists.
A: What has been one of the most memorable moments in your music career thus far?
R: Honestly, every moment that I get to do what I love is memorable to me – ups and downs! What particularly stays with me, though, is any time someone tells me they’ve connected with something I’ve written. Two years ago, right after I finished school and was about to begin pursuing music full time, a friend of mine asked if she and her fiance could use one of my songs for their first dance at their wedding. The fact that anyone could relate to a song I had written and want to make it such a big part of their life touched me beyond words.
A: What are your plans for the remainder of this year once the EP comes out?
R: I’ll be playing around NYC as well as continuing to tour. I’m also excited to get back into writing. I was so wrapped up in touring and recording that I almost forgot I was a songwriter at the end of the day! So I’m really looking forward to sitting down with my notebook and guitar.
A: What did graduating from Harvard teach you that you have applied to the music industry?
R: Harvard taught me to be very self-motivated, which I think is really important going into this industry. You really have to stay on track and push yourself and I think my experience at school really prepared me for that.
A: How important do you think it is that musicians are well educated with all the chances for someone to be taken advantage of in this industry?
R: I think it’s very important that musicians learn about the business, know their rights, and protect their music.
A: Are there any charities or nonprofits that you’re involved with?
R: I most recently performed at a benefit for Ethiopia Reads, a wonderful organization that brings books to children in Ethiopia. Next week, I’ll be in Bermuda with my friends at Chewstick, an inspiring group that nurtures creativity and community on the island.
A: Which song off the EP do you love to play live most?
R: I have a great time playing all of them, but the most fun would probably have to be “Falling in Love Backwards.” The band really lets loose on that one and it turns into a big party song!
A: How important is social networking for you in building a fan base?
R: The ability to interact with the people who support what you’re doing no matter where they are in the world is incredible. It’s great that there are so many ways to connect now!