Rachel Lee Walsh

The Long Bio:
Rachel Lee Walsh grew up as a child in Jacksonville, Florida, where her life was drenched in music and entertainment. From a young age, she performed in musical theatre, acted in TV commercials, did voiceover work, and then graduated from a performing arts high school. Her parents worked in the music and advertising industries doing everything from tour management, to radio, talent scouting, and running a jingle writing company. She grew up with southern rock culture in her ears. As a very small child, she can remember being at the rehearsals of many bands from the area including Lynyrd Skynyrd, Molly Hatchet, and 38 Special. She also gained influence from many other genres of music, as everything from jazz to pop to country was played in her household. As an only child, she developed early on the ability to entertain herself by writing, singing, and making up stories with imaginary friends. Perhaps it is one of the things that made her become a songwriter.
She came to NYC to attend college and pursue a career in music. She studied and majored in music performance at The New School for Jazz and Contemporary Music and Hunter College. After playing in an indie-rock band, a folk trio, a hardcore punk band, and an alt-country band as a back-up vocalist and guitarist, she began her solo caree in 2001. She calls her music “soulful country-ish folk with a dramatic flair”. NYC Venues on her calendar have included Pete’s Candy Store, The Knitting Factory, Public Assembly, Superfine, 68 Jay Street, and Arlene’s Grocery. She has self-released 3 EP’s. Her most recent is "The Singles" which she released in early 2012. She is currently working on a new full-length album and playing live regionally.
Rachel creates songs that are beautiful, dramatic, and moving. With her guitar and a big soulful voice, she delivers story driven songs about an array of interesting characters. In “Oh Lord” she writes from the standpoint of a man down on his luck from the ravages of a hurricane. In “She’s Not Waiting” she writes about a tattooed and tough NYC female bike messenger who serves as an inspiration for living fearlessly. She even throws in a love song occasionally, such as “Please Come to Brooklyn” which was the winner of the Brooklyn Anthem Competition in 2011. She is strongly influenced by American songwriters such as Patty Griffin, Gillian Welch, Amos Lee, Mary Gauthier, and Lucinda Williams. When she is not playing solo, she shares the stage with her back-up band, which has been known to include additional guitar, upright bass, violin, pedal steel and percussion.
She lives in Brooklyn with her wife, her black lab, and her black cat that is nicknamed Darth Vader.

The Short Bio:
Drawing on her folk, soul, country, and blues musical influences, New York City based singer and songwriter, Rachel Lee Walsh creates songs that are beautiful, dramatic, and moving. With her guitar and a big soulful voice, she delivers story-driven songs about various subjects, including the lives of women, working class culture, urban life, and love. She spent her childhood in the south and grew up in New York City as an adult. She is strongly influenced by American songwriters such as Patty Griffin, Gillian Welch, Amos Lee, Mary Gauthier, and Lucinda Williams. When she is not playing solo, she shares the stage with her back-up band, which has been known to include additional guitar, upright bass, violin, pedal steel and percussion.

The One Liner:
Rachel Lee Walsh is a New York City based singer and songwriter with a big soulful voice who performs country and blues influenced folk songs and has an unhealthy obsession with any vintage dresses and shoes she can get her hands on.

Instrumentation:
Solo shows are just Rachel and her guitar. Shows with her band are often are in the form of a trio and can include such instruments as violin, upright bass, ukulele, and cajon. Additional instruments can be added, depending on the venue. All acoustic instrumentation, with electric sometimes included, also depending on the venue.

Notable:
• Winner of the 2011 Brooklyn Anthem Competition with her song “Please Come to Brooklyn”.
• Co-founder of The Ignition Lab, a group of songwriters taking on the challenge of writing a song a week in 2013 and posting it in video form online. She founded the group with musical friend Pantera Saint-Montaigne. The Ignition Lab is also a music series she and Pantera are organizing in NYC for 2013.