By Lisa DiCarlucci
Chronicle: How did you get started performing?
Rachael Yamagata: I had kind of written songs and played piano since I was twelve. My first performing experience was in my junior year at Northwestern. I joined band in Chicago, and I was with them for 6 years. I started writing my own songs while I was with the band and got my own solo record deal around 2000. The band in college was the first time I ever played live in a band setting and learned a lot about playing live shows, and my solo career really came about from there.
TC: What was the band's name?
RY: Bumpus. Yeah, it's a pretty funny name. There was another band called Hunt the Wumpus so it would have been funny if Bumpus and Hunt the Wumpus played together.
TC: How would you describe your sound?
RY: Kind of just heart-wrenching stories about a lot of relationship issues and challenges of relating to another person whether it be on a romantic level or just a personal level. People just fascinate me. I think overall it bridges the gap between piano love ballads and grittier rock ballads. Some people have described me as a female Ryan Adams in that respect.
TC: Your first album, Happenstance was released a few years ago, how do you feel that you've grown as an artist from then to your current album Elephants...Teeth Sinking Into Heart?
RY: I think this one is kind of a big step for me in terms of evolution in lyrics. My lyrics have become a little more abstract. A lot of songs are more guitar driven and grittier. Thematically, I think this album is along the same lines, but I think it's deeper internally. The soundscape of things musically has been enriched and gone a bit left of center. While I was writing this album, I listened to a lot of Tom Waits and David Bowie. I was also inspired by using different chord progressions like Rufus Wainwright. Overall, I've just taken more risks and it just feels like a heavier record for me.
TC: Your latest CD is in two parts, what was your reasoning for that?
RY: Really just presenting the most potent listening experience. When I was in the studio the ballads became these epic cinematic works that in this particular sequence have a film score quality to them. They are very introspective, dark and romantic. The rock songs are more defined and in your face, more crowd involving. They provide a more open listening experience. It's got a tongue-and-cheek sassiness to it. I wanted to present those on their own because they are their own mood and they are extreme and they are very telling. It's two different vibes. When I play live I intertwine the two parts and they go together very nicely I think. For a sit-down experience they are better separate.
TC: In terms of other artists, who would you say are some of your biggest musical influences?
RY: I take a little piece from a lot of places. In terms of my writing, I'm big on classic singer song writers from the '70s. I listen to a lot of Paul Simon, Fleetwood Mac Carole King, The Beach Boys, people who can tell a good story with a good twist in lyrics so it's not so literal I suppose. Musically I've been attracted to Tom Waits and what he does with percussion and Rufus Wainwright just in terms of the beauty and cinematic nature of his songs. I love a good epic guitar solo in Led Zeppelin. I guess I've been kind of doing a lot of coral vocals; I'm not too sure where that even came from. I love the way Jeff Buckley used his drummer to follow the vocals. I think I take a lot from all over the place.
TC: Is there any one in particular you would love to record or tour with?
RY: I'm really into Bruce Springsteen right now. I think he's an amazing writer. He can do everything from intimate ballads to his straight up communal rock songs. I've always loved Elton John, Stevie Nicks, Lucinda Williams. It's a long list for me.
TC: I know that you are playing a show in Manhattan next week, are you excited to play for the New York audience?
RY: Definitely. We just got on a new tour cycle. New York has always been a great audience to me. They are a great reference point because they always have something new coming at them. They can be a tough crowd but it's also good because you know you audience has a real music education. When you are playing in New York you know you want it to be your best performance. It's always very exciting.
TC: What are your plans for the near future?
RY: I think just a lot of touring. We are going to Japan in February, some parts of Europe, Australia. We're doing a lot of international stuff in the early spring. Then in April more shows in the States and mostly just doing a lot of touring.