Artists/Band: Rachael Joan
Music Genre : Rock
Other Genres: Pop/Folk
Websites or Social Media Pages
http://www.rachaeljoanmusic.com/
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCiyJVP1RspaWycwKEBC3uJA
https://www.facebook.com/RachaelJoanMusic
https://www.instagram.com/rachael.joan/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachael-joan-9b96861aa/
https://open.spotify.com/user/rs2urol6qx4uwyntyhsud8rw7
https://music.apple.com/us/album/above-it-all-single/1531884944
https://music.apple.com/us/album/these-days-single/1275960727
https://music.apple.com/us/album/image-single/1573004966
Rachael Joan’s Bio/Short Version
Rachael Joan is a singer-songwriter that comes from a musical family and grew up on the Northside of Chicago, IL. She started writing poetry at a young age to help cope with issues of self-worth, bullying in Catholic school, and an alcoholic father. Later, she put her words together with the melodies in her head to create songs which came to life when Rachael honed her piano and guitar skills.
Rachael Joan’s mission is to create and share Empowered-Driven, Inspiring, Rock/Pop/Folk music. Rachael’s listeners are those who resonate with the messages in her music, which are about rising above life’s challenges, uplifting oneself, love, hope, purpose, and meaning. The sound of her music is similar to Kelly Clarkson, Sheryl Crow, and Pink.
Thanks for listening and stay tuned on all of Rachael’s social media platforms for updates!
Rachael Joan’s Bio/Long Version
Rachael Joan is a singer-songwriter that comes from a musical family and grew up on the Northside of Chicago, IL. She started writing poetry at a young age to help cope with issues of self-worth, bullying in Catholic school, and an alcoholic father. Later, she put her words together with the melodies in her head to create songs which came to life when Rachael honed her piano and guitar skills.
Rachael was always fascinated by the cinematic music of movie scores of the films viewed in her childhood. Her father introduced Rachael to guitar at a young age. She had studied guitar at the Old Town School of Folk Music, then classical guitar at Loyola University Chicago.
In high school, Rachael was active in music in several clubs such as being the head of the guitar club and taught fellow students. There, she had the opportunity to perform at House of Blues Chicago along with her peers and participated in talent functions at the Neighborhood Boys and Girls Club and other community functions.
In her senior year, Rachael received the Artist/Scholar award along with other scholarships. She had studied piano with her grandfather for several years, sung in multiple school/church choirs, have written songs, melodies, and lyrics since 9 years old, and has been in several bands/projects spanning many genres.
As a singer-songwriter Rachael Joan showcases Rock, Pop, and Folk genres. She is continuously working with local musicians and studio engineers to add to her repertoire of songs she has written throughout the years; all while balancing family, career, and higher learning studies. Rachael Joan is an ASCAP member who is always looking for collaboration and growth within the music industry.
Rachael Joan’s mission is to create and share Empowered-Driven, Inspiring, Rock/Pop/Folk music. Rachael’s listeners are those who resonate with the messages in her music, which are about rising above life’s challenges, uplifting oneself, love, hope, purpose, and meaning. The sound of her music is similar to Kelly Clarkson, Sheryl Crow, and Pink.
Thanks for listening and stay tuned on all of Rachael’s social media platforms for updates!
Rachael Joan,
What Musical Genre Do You Feel Best Describes Your Music And How Would You Describe Your Sound?
A blend of Rock/Pop/Folk, similar to the sounds of Sheryl Crow, Kelly Clarkson, and Pink, just to name a few.
How Did You Get Your Name? Is There A Story?
My Artist name is a pseudonym, which is a combination of my first and middle name. My birth name is spelled Rachel, but I use Rachael to differentiate from the other Rachels out there. I am the real Rachael Joan. This confuses some people who work with me musically, they’re like “Wait, how’s it spelled?” It’s pretty entertaining actually. The “AEL” spelling variation used to be a pet peeve of mine, but here I am using it. It’s my doppelganger, my alter ego. 😉
What Are or Have Been Your Musical Influences?
Anything, everything. I’ve been in several projects, written songs in different genres. From more Pop to Folk to Rock and hard rock and even metal. Pearl Jam, Soundgarden, Nirvana, U2, and REM, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Bush, No Doubt, Incubus, Linkin Park and Evanescence were big for me along with all the female and folk singer song writer types, Sheryl Crow, Alanis Morrisette, Indigo Girls, The Cranberries, Joan Osborne, Sarah Mclachlan. Pretty much the lineup of the Lilith Fair. Lately, I’ve been into more electronic dance music, and anything light hearted. I put on some Enya like music once in a while to get my Zen on.
What Are You Working On Now? Any Future Collaborations We Can Look Forward To?
I am recording my album called, “A TIME AND PLACE” in 2022. I will send supporters a free copy of my song, “End of My Journey” (Revamped version) to be released at the end of January 2022. The original version of this song will be included on the album to be released later in 2022, Click on the links below and Thanks for listening and your support!
https://rachaeljoanmusic.com/campaign
https://gofund.me/b9c58608
What Is Your Ultimate Goal In The Music Industry? What Is Your Plan Of Action?
My ultimate goal is to be a successful singer-songwriter. I realize that can take on many forms and people’s definition of success varies. It’s positively impacting as many people as possible with my music and message however best that pans out. It’s also about always continuously improving my craft, from writing, to singing, to performing to delivering meaningful messages to the world. My plan is to get my music out there recording and performing to share with listeners, industry pros, pitching or licensing opportunities.
What Is Your Favorite Track To Perform Live and Why?
“End of My Journey”, because it has a special place in my heart. I have found memories playing with friends, band mates. The meaning behind the song. It’s about coming home, coming of age, realizing and living your calling and purpose.
What Has Been The Biggest Challenge In Your Career Thus Far?
Work life balance, the many distractions in the world, the feeling that time is getting faster and figuring out how to make the greatest impact in the time I have. Reminding myself why I do this, remaining optimistic and keeping my spirits up amongst criticism. I’ve learned to weed out constructive criticism versus venomous criticism and not to giving a rip about the later. I resonate with those I resonate with and they know who they are, if it’s not for you, best of luck and be on your merry way. I know what my shortcomings are and my work is constant and an inside job. It’s not about not being able to take criticism or being thin skinned or too sensitive or because I am female. It’s about what I choose to give my attention to. If you aren’t getting criticism for what you love to do then you aren’t making enough waves or making a difference in some way. The greatest of the greats have had some of the worst criticism and did that deter them? No. Some also can not handle the thought of a strong willed woman or may have nothing better to do than to cut others down. So, It’s all with a gain of salt. Stay humble with praise, stay optimistic with anything less. Keeping the highs kind of low and the lows kind of high. Maintaining focus on the purpose and spirit of the message is what matters most.
What’s Your Typical Songwriting Process?
It depends. I can write lyrics of what I’m feeling on my mind at the time, then can write a melody, music around that. Or I can write melody and lyrics over music, the feel of the music influences the words that manifest. Sometimes it happens at the same time if I’m there with my guitar or piano and mess around with combinations together. Usually something happens that compels me to write a song about it, a strong emotion or social commentary about something that matters or is relevant.
How Has Social Media Influenced Your Career As An Artist?
It’s become the norm, but can be distracting. I like being able to reach vast amounts of people that otherwise would not know who I am or hear my music. It’s a global world, mostly met with reciprocity and kindness. With the few exceptions of haters and trolls that don’t contribute to a healthy or helpful dialogue. I don’t have time or energy for that. It’s also realizing a balance between this and the real world, real face to face connections, being grateful for the connection always. It’s been challenging with an endemic going around and being in quarantine myself around the holidays.
What Did You Do Before You Started Making Music?
Growing up I used escapism through watching movies and playing video games. I would pretend to be someone else and act out different scenes, pretend to be in a movie or a play. I had imaginary friends and my stuffed animals were alive. I wrote poetry to help cope with issues of self-worth, bullying in Catholic school, and an alcoholic father. I then put my words together with the melodies in my head to create songs which came to life when I honed her piano and guitar skills. Music saved my life and became my best friend.
Any Advice For Young People (Men or Women) That Want To Succeed In The Music World?
If you have a purpose and reason for doing it, don’t give up. You never know the reaches of your influences like the butterfly effect. Live your best version and vision of yourself and music. Love and accept yourself and what you are doing first before sharing it with others or trying to get recognition. It’s not about getting the record deal or “making it” until you’ve “made it” with yourself. It’s a lifestyle, it’s a choice, no outside influence can deter that. Some or many may not get it, and that is ok as long as you get yourself and what you are reaching for. Your own parameter for success is within you because you decided it so. Live from the inside out, not the outside in. Go day by day, brick by brick until one day it pays off. The recognition may not be in the way you wanted or from the people you wanted it from, but it will happen in the best way for you at the right time and place. In the end it was for you, your self expression, your evolution and those wonderful people and experiences you bring with you and touched along the way.
What Would You Change In The Music Industry If You Were A Top Music Executive?
Artists having creative control and owning their own destiny. Wait, that’s what’s happening now with the internet and the infinite possibilities out there! It’s really how you want your career to be. We do have choices, many independent ones now. Sometimes, that’s even more lucrative than relying on someone else or another entity to dictate how far you can go. The right connections and tools will take you places.
How Do You Feel About Originality?
Originality is great when it can be done, everyone has a different offering, a different reason, and thus valid and worthy. There is oversaturation out there though that makes it feel like there is no originality at times. What was it, they say that most songs (pop songs anyway) are some combination of the same 3 to 4 chords? Well, imagine that! How do we come up with so much variety with that narrow definition? There are an infinite number of combinations, perspectives, and what other musicians bring to the table to make it just different enough to be a new or different song. It’s all been done before just not in “THIS” way! Also, I am a fan of what works. What is original may not work for the end goal in mind. Sometimes it takes a collaboration.
Is There Anything Else We Should Know About You Or That You Would Like to Add?
My mission is to create and share Empowered-Driven, Inspiring, Rock/Pop/Folk music. My listeners are those who resonate with the messages in my music, which are about rising above life’s challenges, uplifting oneself, love, hope, purpose, and meaning. To get your free song and never miss an update, sign up to the mailing list on https://rachaeljoanmusic.com, connect with me on all social media platforms!