Rachel Platten

"I visualize myself achieving my goal. I make it so real that I can see every detail, the sounds, tastes, visuals, etc..."

Rachel Platten has already opened for musical acts such as the Strokes, Rusted Root, Living Colour, DJ Logic, Susan Tedeschi, and Soulive, and she's just beginning.

Having gained a following in Boston and becoming a local Hartford celebrity while finishing her last year at Trinity College, Rachel independently released Trust in Me in 2004. The album, described as "breathtaking" by the Hartford Advocate, effortlessly combined thoughtful lyrics and dreamy melodies with Rachel's incomparable voice. The album quickly rose to 9 on CD Baby's bestseller's list and received major distribution through Tower Records.

Biography
The scene should be familiar�you move into a new apartment and the next door neighbor has a PA and a penchant for playing piano in the middle of the night. Only oddly enough, the music coming through the walls turns out to be a mix of your favorite Alanis Morisette and Jewel albums, so maybe you don't mind so much. Then one day you run out of milk and instead of going to the deli, you knock on the door and find out that your neighbor, with the raspy voice and affinity for the ivory keys, resembles that dream girl you've been pining about since puberty.

Say hello to Rachel Platten. Part pin-up and part goofy Gal Friday, Rachel has been writing, singing and performing her own music since she jumped on stage to freestyle alongside Toots and the Maytals at an Irving Plaza show in 2003 while in her last year at Trinity College.

In her own words:

On performing songs she writes:
It is amazing at times, but freaking heart-wrenching to write songs that you have to bleed for. And yet, obviously, it is a beautiful thing too. To be honest like that, to be able to evoke an emotion in someone and take them somewhere they might not have gone, is an amazing thing.

On being a struggling artist:
I always sang and played the piano, and whatever other instruments were lying around, but I didn't think it was a reality for me to be an artist. I thought I would be a doctor, a diplomat, or something defined with an actual salary. My dad dreamed I would be an investment banker and I was almost convinced. But I came to realize that I couldn't ignore my bliss, no matter how frightening the lifestyle seemed. A friend once told me, "Who are you to deny people the gift that you've been given?" I love this idea, and keep it close.

On reaching fans:
All of a sudden I realized it wasn't about sounding perfect it was about being honest. And that's when you reach people. When you take your ego out of the picture.

On where she finds inspiration:
The Beatles, Eva Cassidy, The Indigo Girls, Jewel, Broadway�I know, I'm a nerd. I was introduced to hip-hop in high school, artists like Talib Kweli, Nas, Mos Def�which I think was my saving grace in terms of having any rhythm and understanding beats. I was also pretty obsessed with Lauryn Hill's voice and songs and learned to beat box from her first record. I was trained classically on piano and grew up loving the simplicity and pure colors of classical music�. I still gravitate towards harmonies and patterns that make sense, and seem to flow.



Discography
2007 - Till Now (LIVE EP)

2004 - Trust in Me--- independently released LP was a best seller on CDbaby.com for nine months..
Described as "breathtaking, beauty, brilliantly crafted songwriting", this is only the beginning for this young rocker.....as one booking agent aptly stated, "watch out for this one, she is going to be a star..."


Links http://Rachelplatten.com

Tour Schedule This Fall:

September 5th The Paradise, Boston, MA
September 10th - 14th Toronto Film Festival & Recording
September 26th - Fenway Park (National Anthem for Red Sox verse Oakland A's game)
September 28th- Dewey Beach Festival
September 29th - 98.1 FM Maryland/DC area live interview and performance
October 15th - Mercury Lounge NYC
November 2nd - Pianos NYC