Interview with Rachel Loshak

Triona hooks up with Rachel Loshak as she prepares for an Irish tour...

Rachel Loshak is a New York based singer-songwriter and to date has released three albums independently: Here I Am (1999), Firefly (2001) and Mint (2003). In this interview she talks candidly about her experiences as a singer songwriter in New York and discusses her unique approach to making music. Rachel also tells us what it was like recording her soon-to-be released fourth album 'Peach Pony', performing at the 2003 Grammys with Norah Jones and her impression of the music scene in Ireland.

Some listeners in Ireland may not have had an opportunity yet to hear your music. How would you describe your musical style?
Unusual I think, not pop, not jazz, not folk, not rock or reggae, but there is some part of all of that in it somewhere.

Many may regard integrating both voice and bass as an original approach to creating music. Has this style always interested you? When did you first decide to play the bass?
It has interested me a great deal since I was about 20, when I was at college in Nottingham, England. I performed in a pub once a week with two friends, and we always did a song with just me and the upright bass player. Then I included a piece for voice and upright bass as part of my degree show. When I moved to New York, and started to meet musicians, I had no instinct to play guitar, but tried a friend's bass one night, borrowed one  the next day (the one I still play now), and booked a gig three weeks ahead and spent those three weeks writing three songs to perform. It just is what felt natural to me at the time. Now, in retrospect, I can attach deeper reasons for it. It is a very grounding instrument, and I was all over the place, away from home, etc. at the time, so I think that it was just what I needed to hear and feel. It was a good root and home for my fairly high voice, and it leaves a lot of space for the listener's imagination.

What are your goals as a musician?
To continue to be creative and open with my music. And to earn a living from doing it. Also I hope that I always connect with something inside each person who listens to it. If you're not doing that, you should just play by yourself at home.

You're well known on the New York singer-songwriter scene. What first inspired you to go to New York? Is it an inspirational environment?
It can be, and it has been often for me. But it's also a tough place to be sometimes - I grew up on a farm, so I miss the fresh air and the sounds of trees and the wind. But I also felt very isolated growing up, so living in New York is the opposite of that really! I came here because I wanted to get away from London and England at the time, I didn't come to New York on purpose, it was just the cheapest flight at the time (with Aer Lingus - stopped in Shannon on the way- it was the second time I'd ever been in an aeroplane!)

Have you been influenced specifically by any particular songwriters? Who are you listening to at the moment?
I'm not actually listening specifically to anyone right now. At different times, I listen to more or less music, and at the moment, I just feel like being quiet. I think that is somewhat a reaction to living in New York for a bit too long - it is very loud outside, and when I'm inside, I want to be quiet.

Throughout my lifetime though, I have been influenced by a huge variety of singers and songwriters. John Lennon continues to be important, as I learn more about his life, and as I grow in my own life, something always applies. Women like Rikki Lee Jones, Edie Brickell, Joni Mitchell were all big influences in terms of song-writing. Then jazz singers like Sarah Vaughan, Chris Conner and Anita O'Day were influences vocally.

Has working in the music industry always been something you've wanted to do?
I've always wanted to work in music - the music industry is the ugly by-product of that. I've brushed it aside as something I don't care about for a long time, but am now ready to embrace it. Now I feel my own convictions are strong enough to survive in it!

You've just recorded your fourth studio album 'Peach Pony'. How long did it take to write the material for the album?
A few months approximately, something like that. As soon as I have enough new songs to fill an album, I'm ready to make an album. I released 'Mint' in March of 2003 and started recording on New Year's Eve.

Is it difficult recording an album as an independent artist?
Yes. Financially especially, which can also restrict you creatively sometimes. But it can also push you creatively too. You do keep all the control over it though, which is easy to lose when you are working with a label. And you only have the pressure within yourself to get it right, or finish by a certain time, etc. You can do whatever you want, and work with whomever you want, and it can be a great thing.

What's your approach to song-writing? Do you wait for the creative moment to come or is it more productive to be working constantly on ideas?
It's very difficult to try to "make" songs come, and frustrating when they don't, so I try not to force myself, or push it if I don't feel like anything is happening. When something comes to me that I am compelled to finish because I can't think about anything else until I do, then I can't stop playing it because I like the way it sounds - that's when it feels good! I feel very satisfied afterwards.

Have you any particular favourite track from your new album? Can you tell us about it?
I like the track "Hearts of Snow", as I wrote it when we had already recorded most of the record and were just doing a few last overdubs. The following day, our friend Robby came over to put some French horn on a couple of songs, and we had him play on this song. What is on the record is just what we did that day at home, nothing fancy, just how it was, and I feel really close to the song because of that.

You've also recorded a duet with Norah Jones on 'Peach Pony'. Have you worked together before?
A little. I've known her for a while, and I think that we have always had a mutual appreciation of each other. She asked me to sing with her at the Grammys in 2003, which was an incredible experience for me, and it was great that she brought me into that.

You're becoming a regular on the live scene here in Ireland. Do you enjoy playing to Irish audiences? What is your impression of the live music scene here?
It's a really unique scene, as there is such a strong musical history that you can kind of sense all around. I've been to Ireland a number of times now, and the audiences are always great, and really get into what they are hearing. It makes it a pleasure.

What are your plans for 2005? Will you be coming back to Ireland?
Yes, I hope so. It looks like it might not be until October, but possibly sometime in April.

Rachel Loshak was interview by Triona Hourigan

'Peach Pony' will be released early in 2005.
For further information check out Rachel Loshak's website.
Rachel is embarking on an Irish tour this December with Niall Connelly. She plays on the following dates:
-> Thursday Dec.16th, DEBARRAS, Clonakilty
-> Friday Dec.17th, THE LOBBY, Cork
-> Saturday Dec.18th, THE LOBBY, Cork
-> Sunday Dec.19th, THE STAGS HEAD, Dublin
-> Tuesday Dec.21st, SLATEHOUSE SESSIONS, Galway
-> Wednesday Dec. 22nd, UPSTAIRS AT DOLANS, Limerick