It’s hard to listen to Rachelhope’s music and not be completely captivated
by her beautiful array of acoustic driven soulful pop. With each performance
a one of a kind, Rachel likes to play/sing her songs differently each time,
leaving her audience in suspense.
At the age of 17, Rachel entered the National Primal Acoustic Sessions
amongst 80 other singer-songwriters. As she made it through to the finals,
she only had two songs to prove her talent to judge, Paul Ubana Jones.
Unknowingly, her guitar wasn’t coming through the system as she played
her first song acappella. Her performance charmed the audience and judge
and she won the 2006 title. The prize was a Larrivee acoustic guitar, which
unfortunately was stolen two weeks later.
In 2007, she released her self produced debut album “Out of Shadowsâ€. It
showcases a combination of sweet, playful and innocent songs about life,
challenges and relationships. It is brought together with a unique blend of
acoustic and electric guitars, piano and her mother’s melody-horn from the
70s. The result is anything but the generic girl on guitar sound.
Following the release of her album, she toured New Zealand alongside The
Ember Days, Zebulun and Chamberlain. She has since played at events
such as Samstock, Tall Poppy, Parachute, and Platform.
Recently married she is now working hard on a new range of songs and
sounds guaranteed to surprise and entertain many more ears.
Drawing influence from artists such as Joanna Newsom,
Sigur Ros, Copeland and Vedera, Rachelhope is focusing on creating an
original acoustic sound. Each song is a lit with its own harmony and discord.
written by elliot norton and amanda baxter