RACHAEL YAMAGATA
Whelanslive.com presents
RACHAEL YAMAGATA
+ Wyvern LingoNEW ALBUM ‘CHESAPEAKE’ 2nd APRIL
Acclaimed singer-songwriter Rachael Yamagata will release her new album ‘Chesapeake’ on 2nd April. Produced by John Alagia (Liz Phair/Dave Matthews Band) and recorded at his home in Easton, Maryland, the record is the follow-up to 2008’s ‘Elephants…Teeth Sinking Into Heart’ and the first album to be released on her very own Frankenfish Records. Yamagata, who has previously recorded with Bright Eyes and Ryan Adams, will shortly confirm details of a UK tour to coincide with the album release. Track ‘Starlight’ is available to preview here: http://snd.sc/n6ajQf
“We spent weeks converting John’s house into a studio,” recalls Yamagata. “We shipped gear, borrowed microphones, amps, guitars and a grand piano that lived in his bedroom, because that’s where we got the best sound. We housed vox mics in his shower for some natural reverb and of course the porch – a past scene of pre-productions jams complete with drums made out of cardboard beer cases and recycling bin – cellos stuck in wads of duck tape so as not to slip on the floor, a wurly set up by the table of receipts that I called my office” For Chesapeake, Yamagata recruited her “dream team” consisting of Victor Indrizzo (Sheryl Crow) on drums, guitarists Mike Viola (Candy Butchers), Michael Chaves (John Mayer), and Kevin Salem, (Dump Truck, Yo La Tengo), cellist Oli Kraus (Sia, Duffy) and Tom Freund on the upright bass. The result is an eclectic collection of songs projecting Yamagata’s newfound optimism and hopefulness, showcasing her sultry and smoky voice, rich, layered harmonies, striking ballads and soulful grooves. “The songs on Chesapeake were collectively inspired by the people in the room,” said Yamagata. “I insisted on a creative scenario that became only about the music makers themselves, giving it a spirit of generosity in the music making which made it easy to tap into a ‘flow’. When it was right, we all knew it was right. There was a balance that gave these songs a lift and yet still retained their richness.” Yamagata also teamed up with PledgeMusic (www.pledgemusic.com), the leading international direct-to-fan platform for musicians raising funds to record and tour. “It was a leap of faith to trust that all of the pieces would somehow fall together even if it seemed we were crazy. And they did,” adds Yamagata. “I am grateful beyond words to my fans and PledgeMusic who have helped bring ‘Chesapeake’ to life.” Praised by critics for her intimately confessional songwriting and arrangements, Rachael released her last album, ‘Elephants…Teeth Sinking Into Heart’ on Warner Bros. Records in October 2008. Entertainment Weekly called her delivery “Gorgeous” and Rolling Stone said her “soulful, cigarette-scratched voice and melancholy lyrics recall Fiona Apple and PJ Harvey.” She toured extensively in support of the album playing to crowds throughout the United States, Europe and Asia. The New York Times hailed “With a deep, melancholy, breathy alto and a fondness for slow, sparsely chorded songs. And in her upbeat moments she can sound like a fuller-voiced Liz Phair or a less volatile Chrissie Hynde.” Songs from the album appeared in various television programs and films including ‘Greys Anatomy’, ‘Private Practice’, ‘Brothers and Sisters’ and more. She also made an appearance in the season finale of ‘30 Rock’ in 2009. Yamagata emerged in 2005 when songs from ‘Happenstance’ and her self-titled debut EP, turned up in such films and television shows as ‘Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants,’ ‘In Her Shoes,’ ‘Prime, How I Met Your Mother,’ ‘Nip/Tuck,’ ‘One Tree Hill,’ and ‘The O.C.,’ on which she made a guest performance. She also appeared on albums by Ryan Adams, Ray LaMontagne, Jason Mraz, Bright Eyes, and Mandy Moore. Her tours have included runs with Adams, LaMontagne, Moore, Liz Phair, Gomez, and Sara Bareilles, as well as playing shows with Pete Townsend, Aimee Mann, David Gray, Damien Rice, and Air.