What’s the story behind your album’s title?
The album title came about after listening to one of my favorite Johnny Horton songs, “Whispering Pines” he says: “The snowflakes fall as winter comes, And time just seems to fly. Is it the loneliness in me That makes me want to cry?”
It was just like a big moment for me..when something just rings in your ears, and you know it means something. And I knew that I had to work on it.
Do you write about personal experience, the experience of others, observations, made-up stories, something else or a combination?
I use a combination of all. Whatever speaks to me. A lot of times its from my own perspective, like how I would handle a hypothetical situation, but I’m always open to inspiration in whatever form it takes.
What’s the best advice you have ever gotten from another musician/ musician just starting out?
The best advice I’ve ever received from another musician (my dad) is to just be yourself, and not to try and mimic anyone else. I still believe that today. I might not be a perfectly trained singer, but I am me. I think that you should always be unique and try to stand alone on what you can do. And this would be the advice I would also give a musician just starting out. Just be you.
Did you have a musical mentor? If so, who was it and how did they influence you?
My dad would be my mentor. I grew up around music because of him, and he taught me a lot about playing, performing, and I really just learned it all from him. I started playing in his bluegrass band when I was around 18 years old, and I didn’t know half the songs we played. But I learned on the fly, and I think that was the best way.
The album title came about after listening to one of my favorite Johnny Horton songs, “Whispering Pines” he says: “The snowflakes fall as winter comes, And time just seems to fly. Is it the loneliness in me That makes me want to cry?”
It was just like a big moment for me..when something just rings in your ears, and you know it means something. And I knew that I had to work on it.
Do you write about personal experience, the experience of others, observations, made-up stories, something else or a combination?
I use a combination of all. Whatever speaks to me. A lot of times its from my own perspective, like how I would handle a hypothetical situation, but I’m always open to inspiration in whatever form it takes.
What’s the best advice you have ever gotten from another musician/ musician just starting out?
The best advice I’ve ever received from another musician (my dad) is to just be yourself, and not to try and mimic anyone else. I still believe that today. I might not be a perfectly trained singer, but I am me. I think that you should always be unique and try to stand alone on what you can do. And this would be the advice I would also give a musician just starting out. Just be you.
Did you have a musical mentor? If so, who was it and how did they influence you?
My dad would be my mentor. I grew up around music because of him, and he taught me a lot about playing, performing, and I really just learned it all from him. I started playing in his bluegrass band when I was around 18 years old, and I didn’t know half the songs we played. But I learned on the fly, and I think that was the best way.
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What’s your dream venue and why?
Of course it’s the Ryman. Wow, I would love to play that stage one day. Do you have a favorite gift from a fan? I love it when fans make me things. I know, it’s such a “mom” thing but I just love it when people make cool things! I have received many things over the years but my favorite is a carved wooden dreamcatcher made by a Native American friend/fan. It is just beautiful and I know that it was made just for me, and that is special. |
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What’s your favorite food on the road?
I love ALL FOOD. I’m a huge “foodie”, and that’s probably my favorite thing about traveling is trying new foods. The hard part is finding the time to eat good food because usually there isn’t a lot of time to spare, and you’re stuck eating gas station stuff haha! But I do have a comfort food that I like to eat on the road and that is cheese, tomato, prosciutto and crackers.
What are your “must have” albums for the road?
Any Fats Domino, Howlin Wolf, Johnny Cash’s Sings the Ballads of the True West and of course Pet Sounds.
I love ALL FOOD. I’m a huge “foodie”, and that’s probably my favorite thing about traveling is trying new foods. The hard part is finding the time to eat good food because usually there isn’t a lot of time to spare, and you’re stuck eating gas station stuff haha! But I do have a comfort food that I like to eat on the road and that is cheese, tomato, prosciutto and crackers.
What are your “must have” albums for the road?
Any Fats Domino, Howlin Wolf, Johnny Cash’s Sings the Ballads of the True West and of course Pet Sounds.
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Rachel Brooke is a singer/songwriter from Michigan by way of Nashville with a voice that embodies of Tammy Wynette and Loretta Lynn with an authenticity and directness that catches the ear like the truth of an unexpected confession or hard-won revelation.
Friday 23rd Oct, Brooke is set to release a brand new record The Loneliness In Me, a reminiscent of Nashville’s golden era with a decidedly twenty-first century sensibility. The collection has the beauty and charm of a shape-shifter: part classic country songwriting, anchored in the tradition of Johnny Cash and Willie Nelson, part post-millennium mysticism, echoing forth from the Northern Michigan woods about the why and wherefores of where she’s been. Pre-order via this link.. |