New York City-based, classically trained vocalist Rachel Lynn is gearing up for a busy year. With her new single, “Didn’t I” out now, an EP slated for release later this year, and a short run of tour dates throughout the end of March, Lynn is already off to a strong start, and the rest of 2019 is looking incredibly promising.
With big plans for the coming months, we caught up with Rachel Lynn to discuss her background in music, the story behind “Didn’t I” and her growth while writing new music. Read the full interview and listen to “Didn’t I” now below.
Rachel Lynn will be playing SoFar Denver on March 24th. Stay connected with her on Facebook for more details!
Interview by Shannon Shumaker
Can you tell us a little bit about yourself for anyone who might be hearing you for the first time?
I’m a Brooklyn-based, classically-trained singer/songwriter. I’m wildly influenced by 90’s jams and old soul. My music is organic and melody-driven, and my greatest hope is that people feel connected to it in some way.
How did you first get involved in music? What first inspired you to begin singing and writing songs?
I come from a very musical family, so music was an integral part of growing up. My mom encouraged me to pursue my love of singing from a young age; she enrolled me in voice lessons and landed me auditions with various children’s choirs. I started writing songs around age 12, and it was incredibly liberating. I was so inspired by the music I was listening to—I really felt like there were artists who were reaching into my soul with their songs, and that feeling of connection is overwhelming and transcendent. It’s what I strive to create with my own music.
You kicked off 2019 with the release of your latest single, “Didn’t I”. Can you tell us a little bit about the track?
“Didn’t I” is a hopeless, angry anthem about trying everything you can to keep a relationship together and having things fall apart regardless of your efforts. I think it’s incredibly relatable—at some point, we all have to process the emotions of not getting something we desperately want or even think we need.
How do you feel you’ve grown between “Didn’t I” and your previous material?
I think my sound is developing and maturing in relation to past projects, partly because I’ve learned how to better articulate my vision. My incredible producer, Ali Culotta, truly helped to make the vision a reality and completely elevated the project to another level. I also find myself writing mostly from personal experience, and as I get older, my perception changes or I find different words for things. I think there’s been a lot of growth, and that’s extremely empowering. It’s also fueled a welcome boost in self-appreciation.
“Didn’t I” is taken from your upcoming EP, planned for release later this year! Without giving away too much, what are you most excited for fans to hear on the EP?
I’m excited for people to better understand my influences. I’m proud of the fact that this project pulls from rock, R&B, and 60’s pop; I want people to see where I’m coming from musically.
Did you have any big goals in mind when you first started working on the EP?
To share it! I’ve just been so ready to release new music; the main goal has been to spread it as far and wide as possible.
What would you like fans to take away from “Didn’t I” or the upcoming EP?
I want people to know that I’m passionate about what I’m doing, and I hope that they feel that passion in “Didn’t I.” I’m so excited to be on a small release tour for the single, and it’s been amazing to see a positive reaction to the new music. I would love for this track to compel people to stay on this journey with me.
With “Didn’t I” out now, can we expect to hear some more new music soon?
I’m working hard to get more music out in the upcoming months! Stay tuned!
Do you have any other big plans coming up soon? Any shows or tour dates?
I’m on a small release tour for the single, so I had a great release show at Pianos in NYC, and I recently played a very special, intimate SoFar NYC show. On 3/9 I’ll be at SoFarDC, on 3/13 I’ll be at SoFar Philly, and on 3/24 I’ll be at SoFar Denver. You can also see me perform at NYC’s Veggie Pride Parade on 4/14 and at CanILive Music Festival on 6/22. There are more shows in the works, so you can stay up to date at www.rachellynnsings.com!
Thanks for taking the time to chat with us! Is there anything else you’d like to add?
Thank you thank you thank you! I’m incredibly grateful for the opportunity to tell listeners about my music, and I really appreciate your taking the time!
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