We just got back from four weeks of Japan and Europe. It was really nice to be able to play the full record with all the new songs and get some feedback there. The audiences were really into it and very responsive. I feel like I'm just getting to know what the audience thinks. So far so good.
I was curious about it. I think I've gotten a lot of new fans who were drawn to this new record over the previous one, and I've probably lost a few. It's a darker record.
It's hard to be objective about it. Even with the last record, I think that my fan base wasn't necessarily formed around a huge radio single. The songs that seemed to rear their heads were things like "Quiet" or "Reason Why" or "Be Be Your Love." The songs that didn't get quite as much national attention were the songs that the fans were drawn to. I feel like I can try things out a bit with them. I think if I feel it, then there's a chance that they'll feel it, too.
That sounds very reasonable to me. I really feel for the musicians that seem to think that they have to keep doing the same thing over and over again so that they keep those fans that connected with them to begin with. It seems to sort of stunt your growth. The idea is that you're out there and you're creating something new every time. The people who follow you will follow you through it. The people who don't, don't.
Exactly. It's the business part. I had people saying that I shouldn't pick up a guitar because I was a piano-based artist. Imagine for me how limiting that would have been had I listened. It's like not getting a new limb or something. Keeping the business as far at bay as possible in the creation process is the most you can hope for. There's no formula for it. If there were, certainly record labels wouldn't have a 5% success rate. It's a tricky thing. The business part and the creative part are very intertwined. Even your own head can get in it, thinking that if something works once you should do it again.
Back in the day, all an artist or band had to do was play concerts and record albums. Now there are many "new media" ways to connect to fans. What approach have you taken with this? Do you think it effected the reach of your music?
Article comments
1 - Cindy Silva
Great interview! Just saw Rachael at Slims in SF last night and it was a really great show. Can't wait to see what the future has in store for this very talented lady. Thank you Anna and Rachael!
2 - laura
the show at slims in SF was amazing! check out the Rachael Yamagata interview she did shortly before with the CW Bay Area!
3 - I love Racheal Yamagata
This was a great interview. I loved seeing her insights on how she writes her wonderful music