Today we’d like to introduce you to Rachel Lester.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Rachel. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
I began writing music when I was 13 years old. I trained classically on the piano and competed solos, until one day I stopped because my teacher moved and I got involved in after-school activities. It was then that I realized I could play songs by ear without reading music.
I started to play around with chords and began creating my own songs. It was something that was fun and it was a great outlet, it wasn’t work. Eventually, I grew passionate for songwriting and creating art and I’m still developing that skill.
Has it been a smooth road?
It has definitely not been a smooth road. At the age of 16, I began to struggle with an eating disorder and it stunted my creativity. However, when I started to get better, I wrote songs and grew passionate for music in ways that I had never experienced before. I would often perform songs I had written in front of other people in the hospital, and I felt like I had so much to say once I started to sing and write. Songwriting became an actual safe haven for me, and a great way for me to speak my ideas that I wouldn’t necessarily talk about in conversation.
We’d love to hear more about your work.
I am a singer-songwriter. I write my own music on the piano and vocals and record it myself. My brother has helped me learn the ropes of recording and I use his recording space he has set up. What sets me apart from other musicians is my unique voice and I create my own sound. I have developed an artistry with my voice throughout the years and I produce a sound with an intriguing aesthetic.
Is our city a good place to do what you do?
The nice thing about songwriting is that you can do it anywhere. It might be easier to network in a city that focuses more on music, so moving may be something to take into consideration. It has become much easier now that recording is accessible at home and you can upload on several different platforms. Something that would have helped me when I was first starting out is to learn as much information as possible about technology and equipment. Don’t be afraid to spend money on good equipment, but do your research so you aren’t wasting your money either. Perform everywhere you can: coffee shops, parties, events, get yourself out there! Talk to as many people as possible and make yourself known. Upload your songs somewhere and make it easy for people to find you. Hand out business cards with your site information on it at the places you perform. Be your own advocate!
Contact Info:
- Phone: 4695256809
- Email: rachelester93@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rachelester/
Image Credit:
Jordan Keith
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