Rachel Austin: singering & guitaring, organning
Steve McKnight: guitaring
Pete Bankhead: mandolin, guitar
Recording:
Declan Legge: producer
Victor Henriquez: charango, flute
Jonny Mitchell: double bass
Lizzy Donaghy: cello
Claire Devine: viola
Lucy Liddell: violin
Dan McGeown: double bass
Jarlath Mulholland: clarinet & flute
Rory O'Connor: drums
Live at Christmas time on Kick Out the JamsSpring 2007 on Kick Out the Jams
Influences
Havalina Rail Company, Carla Bruni, Victoria Williams, Martha Wainwright, Bill Mallonee, Gillian Welch, Over the Rhine, Billie Holliday, Arundhati Roy, Salman Rushdie, Devon Sproule, Morella's Forest, Sigur Ros, Mum, Ella, Jewel, Nina Simone, Alison Krauss . . .
"...an exceptional voice." - Stuart Bailie, BBC Radio Ulster, May 2008"Her words are open and heartfelt, and melodies linger, creating a perfect balance of emotion and light." - Sentimentalist Magazine, NYC, Spring 2007"Standing head and shoulders above any of her contemporaries, if there's any justice in the world it's only a matter of time before Austin commands a higher profile, both locally and internationally. . . [she] performs what can only be described as ethereal, heartfelt music in the Martha Wainwright or Joan As Police Woman vein."- Patric Baird, 24/7 (Belfast Telegraph), March 2007"Your voice is something special." - an old guy, Rotterdam Bar, Belfast, April 2007"You sing like a nightingale." - Finnian, Spirit Store spectator, Dundalk, June 2007"A logical progression for a musician with a twisted, criminal mind." - Commissioner Gordon, Gotham City
Hi! I'm from Mount Sidney, Virginia, & have been living for seven years in Belfast, Northern Ireland.
I've been writing prose and songs all my life. My style shows leanings toward the genres I love: jazz, bluegrass, Irish traditional and rock. I grew up in the Blue Ridge Mountains where music from the neighbours' porches, yards and tent meetings used to echo throughout the hollow. At nights some of them used to stay up late playing fiddle, bass and banjo. I often fell asleep with the music drifting in my window, or up from the basement where my parents' heavy metal band was practicing.
In 1996, I opened at LemonAid Festival for platinum selling band POD. I also performed at Cornerstone Music Festival in Bushnell, Illinois, in 1998, and have played in numerous coffeehouses and clubs in both the US and the UK. My former band, Jack Ruby (rock on!), received favourable reviews from HM Magazine. In December 2005, I made my jazz debut with bass player Nicky Scott of Van Morrison fame. More recently, I've performed at various venues across Northern Ireland, including support slots for Iain Archer, Juliet Turner, Brian Houston, Eric Taylor, The Believers and Steve Forbert, and live on Across the Line and with George Jones on BBC Radio Ulster.
Lately, I've been gigging with Steve McKnight & Pete Bankhead. I'm also proud to say I teach voice and have worked with some incredible singers - some on the scene in Northern Ireland, others behind the scene.
View Rachel Austin's EPK
Rachel Austin - new album out 22nd May!'s Friend Space (Top 18)
Rachel Austin - new album out 22nd May! has 2486 friends.
I am SOOO loving your new stuff! I ran into good 'ole "Vern" (Zook) today and told him about you....just sent him a link to this page.....he can't wait to hear ya! (Have I mentioned how PROUD I am of you? Teeeheee!!)
Great stuff Rachel, we finally meet someone with a fantastic voice which belongs to them! and well done to a wonderful band, you guys know what's what well done 10 out of 10, Michael.
Good luck with the launch Rach, I'd love to be there but I'm afraid we'll be in Paris next week. Hope it goes well, I'll look forward to reading a blog about it. Colin
Just thought I'd mention I'm doing a classical recital at Ards Arts Centre at 1pm on Sat 17th May (my birthday) to raise money for Jigsaw. It's fun being an opera singer again!
