RACHEL ADELL

ARTIST

First and formost I am a poet and indie artist, who has been writing since I was a small girl. The outlet of writing and music literally saved my life on more than one occasion, so my commitment to creating is not a casual one. I grew up in a disjointed and abusive environment, and it inspired me to build a world of my own, safe from the woes of adult-sized problems. It’s a place I still love to go when I create. Originally, I thought I might go into art, dance, nursing, or finish my psychology degree, but God had different plans. After moving from my home state in Oregon to Los Angeles, out of nowhere the songs started pouring out. There was really no choice in the matter, I had to respond. With a little classical training, a deeply rooted obsession for rock and the turning of a phrase, I pretended to know what I was doing. Before I knew it, I was performing all over LA and making some rather exciting connections.

As a young mom raising two small kids in Santa Monica, I decided it was time to release an album. I would leave the house at 8pm and record with my producer Patrick Doyle of Artcore Records in Crenshaw until 2am every night. After Lurseen Mastering was done with their magic, I released my first album Unpainting Roses in 2011. This compilation of work acts as an abstract journal, made of poignant childhood laundry pinned above a bombastic playful rock band. Performing this album across the US and internationally with and without the band, I’d have to say that singing at the Blue Bird Cafe in Nashville, was my most cherished memory. “Oh Well, Anyway,” and “Happily Ending,” and “Following You,” were the songs that reasonated most with fans. To my surprise, I won a handful of awards and was given positive feedback from music executives. While there were opportunities offered, and carrots placed in my path, my heart said, “No labels, no big headed musicians, keep it small and real and protected for the fans.” I also didn’t care about being rich or famous, so a label really didn’t tempt me, save for the connections to fans and like minded musicians. Thank goodness I said no, and thank goodness social media was around the corner.

While being treated for cancer, and in the middle of motherhood, I created the album Saturday Sunrise, a Radiohead/London Grammar dream state rock album. Diving deep into elements of healing by processing pain in a subconsious way. This album includes heartache, but a lot of resolve, and a lot of memories with my immediate and extended family. It took a decade to edit, compile, and complete. During Covid era, I joined a collective with about 300 other songwriters and producers, and my life has not been the same since. I was lucky enough to work with Craig Sayer, an incredible rock artist, composer, and producer based in Melbourne, Australia. His wife, Georgina Sayer, who also survived cancer harmonized on “Okay.” This song was inspired by a nurse who comforted me on the day I found out I had cancer. This labour of love was Released August of 2023 in the middle of a year of sickness, injury, and a suicide in the family. Extra time, funds, and energy did not exist for too much marketing, so you may not have heard it yet. I did not even play out or do any small tours. However, if you hop over to the blog, I did take the time to give the backstory of each song, with some imaginative images I made in MidJourney. I am deeply proud of this project, and the solid people who collaborated with me to make it happen. Nancy Gonseth cowrote “Found Me,” and Justina McHale played violin on “Where We Go.” Craig Sayer was the most instrumental, puns intended, and also wrote the last verse in “You Have It.”

Mama Cracked is a large body of unapologetic screaming, poetry, heavy breathing, anger, and fun, all gathered into an edgy, fun, punk-esque rock package. Collaboratoins with rap artists, rock musicians, and r&b vocalists also give it a much needed genre bend. Truly considering releasing this with my own production, but I may need a UK producer to step in and help me get the right live musicians for this. Keep imagining find the perfect band here in the UK, so maybe that’s what I’ll be manifesting for this. Album release TBD, but I imagine I can crank this out by next year. The truth is, as you get older, you really do lose your ability to care what the world thinks, and you’re pretty upset the world is set up in a way for you to be pleasing, pretty, and perfect. It’s a delightful stage to be at, and quite frankly, I think more women need to get in touch with their divine feminine rage.

I’d love to know what kind of projects you’re into and want to share with the world, find me on socials or shoot me an email. I’ll respond to you myself.

Thanks for being here,

Rachel