Singer-Songwriter RACHEL JANE Opens Up About New Music, College And Upcoming Festivals!

At only twenty-one years of age, Rachel Jane is a force to be reckoned with. Not only a singer/songwriter but also a budding producer, the songstress debuted her first project ‘Back of The Wind’ in 2015 to critical acclaim.

Her first offering showcased a tenacious sense of conviction, not only in her music but also her message. In a time of fleeting singles, auto tuned vocals and more hype then actual delivery, her music is substance; it is crafted rather then generated, uplifting and inspired.

Her stunning track “Awaken” has been selected for the official BIMM 2017 Album. You can catch her at a host of major festivals this summer including; Big Church Day Out and 2000 Trees Festival, alongside household names such as Slaves and Nothing But Thieves.

UK-based independent label Orphan No More is excited to release the new single from Rachel Jane, ‘Waiting For A Change’ (produced by Joshua Luke Smith). This new, dynamic, high energy offering showcases an honesty from the young songstress that evolves into an anthem of courage, perseverance and strength, in the midst of frustration and delay.

She says of the record “This song came out of a season where I learnt that even when you feel so ready to do all that you feel born to do, it’s not necessarily going to happen when you want it to. This song is for anyone needing encouragement in a time of waiting and growing in patience. Keeping holding on and pressing in, breakthrough can happen in a moment.”

With soul-bearing vocals and more passion then ever, her new EP ‘The Mountain’ will be released in July 2017, showcasing a maturity, vulnerability and open-hearted honesty that has become of Rachel Jane since her debut.

Learn more about Rachel Jane in the following All Access interview:

Thanks for your time! So where does this interview find you today? Is there music playing in the background? If so, what is it?

I’m currently having a break from working on my final year university studies! I finish uni in a few weeks which is very exciting, I’m excited for more opportunities to pursue music when I graduate! I’m currently listening to ‘I Wish’ by Tom Misch… it’s such a cool song.

How is 2017 treating you so far? Did you approach the start of this year any differently then you did last year?

2017 has been amazing so far. I started the year by going on tour with Joshua Luke Smith around the UK! It was my first experience of tour and I absolutely loved it, it made me realize even more so how much I want to be touring as an artist. There is a lot more going on for me musically this year in comparison to last year. Last year I felt like I was in a season of journeying different personal things, but they have enabled me to grow more as an artist, so I’m grateful for that season. I think sometimes we can forget how important it is to look after our hearts and the personal journeys that we’re on, especially in the midst of busy lives.

Growing up, did you always want to be a musician? Can you recall your first musical memory? Could you see yourself doing anything else today? If you weren’t a musician, what would you be doing?  

I wanted to be a musician from the age of 14, and I wanted to pursue it as a career from age 16. Before that I wanted to be a dancer, so if I wasn’t a musician I’d definitely want to be a dancer! My first musical memory was playing the piano and singing with my Grandma, I’m so glad she brought me up doing that whenever I spent time with her.

Let’s talk about your recently released single, “Waiting For A Change.” Where did the inspiration for it come from?

It came from a place of feeling so frustrated and de-valued. I really needed breakthrough in a situation where I wasn’t able to do what I felt born to do, and at the point of deciding to write it in a song I was so fed up. But in the midst of this I knew that breakthrough would come, I knew that I would come out of that situation and find hope, so I kept persevering. I wanted to share this in a song because I know I’m not the only one who has been in a place like that, and I wanted to encourage and empower others to not give up, keep persevering.

What other songs are you excited to share when your EP “The Mountain” comes out in July?

All of them! Particularly the EP title track ‘The Mountain.’ This song encapsulates the journey of this EP, hence why I’ve used this song for the EP title too. This EP showcases an honesty and vulnerability in what I’ve journeyed and experienced over the past two years, so each song conveys that. I’m so grateful to have been able to work with three different producers as well for this EP – Joshua Luke Smith, Scott Barnett and Pete Scene, they’ve played a big part in helping me bring my songs to life with the production sounds that I wanted for each song.

How do you think you have grown as an artist since you first released music back in 2015? What has changed about your music style in general?

I’ve definitely grown in my songwriting, I’ve developed a more open-hearted honesty and vulnerability in the message of my songs. The last EP had a more live instrument overall sound, but now I’ve been experimenting more with electronic sounds as well as live instrument sounds.

Are you excited to host a bunch of major festivals this summer? Which ones are you most looking forward to being a part of? Have you hosted one before?

Definitely! Especially 2000 Trees Festival, its a festival in the middle of a forest which is awesome. I haven’t played a festival gig before, so I’m excited to see how it goes!

What artists have continued to inspire you and your music? Who would you absolutely love to work with in the future?

My main influences are Florence + The Machine, Laura Mvula, Lianne La Havas and Emeli Sande. I would so love to work with Lianne La Havas! That would be amazing.

At the end of the day, what do you hope your fans take away from your music? What do you hope is the message of your songs?

They will feel encouraged, empowered and to have hope.