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Why
don't we start off by you introducing yourself to
our readers?
Hi
I'm Rachael, a producer from Orange County, Ca.
You
are a producer, DJ, and singer, producer--when did
you first get into music?
I've
been into music since I was little… everyone
likes music right? But, I started producing in 1999,
and djing in 2002.
You
have had several well-known hits like "Remember"
and "Till There was You." What has been
your favorite track you have produced so far?
I
think some of my favorite tracks are the ones I
do just for fun, not thinking about what the label
wants or what people are into at the moment…
When I just sit down and make something that I want
to hear, that's when it ends up being one of my
favorites.
How
much time do you practice a week?
Now
that its summer, I spend everyday producing. I am
working on an album for Positive (EMI) this summer,
so I'm treating my production just as if it were
a day job. During the year, I work and go to school
so I don't spend as much time doing music, maybe
10-15 hours a week.
Who
influences you musically?
My
biggest influences are the chemical brothers, radiohead,
air, orbital and underworld. I also like vocalists
such as Jan Johnston and Bjork.
When
you have some downtime, what can we find you doing?
Playing
video games, going to the beach, working on computers,
cuddling with my kitties.
How
do you decide what music to spin when you DJ? Do
you decide based on your personal favorites?
Sometimes.
It depends on a lot of things. How many people there
are, what time of day it is, who's throwing the
party and my personal taste. If there are only 50-100
people, I will probably play more low-key kinda
stuff. If there are lots of people, I will play
more 'big room' stuff. If I'm playing at a party
where most of the people are expecting to hear techno,
then I play more techy stuff. If it's a deep house
party, then I'll pick some deep ones out of the
crate.
Bandnation
is full of talented singers and bands trying to
break into the music industry. What is one piece
of advice that you would give them?
One
piece… be cautious. People can sometimes be
misleading and they will sometimes take advantage
of what you don't know. Always have a lawyer look
over any contracts, even if it costs you all the
money you are making off the deal. Be confident,
and don't sell yourself short.
You
do live performances and also work a lot in the
studio. Which do you prefer more?
I
like them both a lot. Working in the studio is fun.
It is what I've always wanted. To just create something…
that expresses me. To work really hard at it and
have a finished product in the end that makes people
feel or dance or laugh or cry. Performing is tons
of fun too though. Both djing and singing for an
audience is an awesome feeling….when your
records or your voice can move people right then
and there..and you can see the reactions of everyone.
In a way, you absorb those reactions and reflect
them back into the audience… the more responsive
and excited the audience is, the more fun I will
have and I think that shows.
What
has been your most memorable moment in your career
so far?
Probably
the first time I heard one of my songs on the radio.
Where
do you hope to see yourself in 5 years?
Hopefully
with one or two really good albums. I will be graduated
from school and maybe working for a video game company.
I see music being a part of my life forever, and
what I do in the next couple of years will determine
how big a part it will be.
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