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Interview with
RAECHEL WHITCHURCH

(12th May 2021)

Interviewer – Dave Bruce

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Raechel Whitchurch was born and raised on country music. Some might say that her life reads like a country song – from her parents’ shotgun wedding and her childhood spent living in a caravan, to her dobro-playing husband and their babies named after long-gone country music stars – it’s hardly surprising that she ended up singing her songs for a living.

Family and legacy are themes that are very important to Raechel, having grown up in a tight-knit family based in Broken Hill in far western NSW. Her entrepreneurial parents decided that they would home-school Raechel and her siblings while living in a caravan and travelling around Australia for five years. They instilled in her the deep values of working hard and being honest, and these themes become very apparent when you listen to Raechel’s lyrics.

In March 2020, Raechel released her new single, “I Found Home”, along with a music video shot in Saint Albans, northwest of Sydney. “I Found Home” is a song about realising that no matter what you do, see or achieve in your life, there is nothing as good as coming home to someone you love. The single hit #27 on the Music Network National Radio Airplay Charts and caught the attention of Compass Bros Records, who have signed Whitchurch to an exclusive distribution agreement.

Despite releasing her first single amidst a worldwide pandemic, it seems that fans and artists alike are excited for her new music. One of those is country music star, Adam Harvey, who saw Raechel perform to a packed house on Cruisin’ Country in 2019, and subsequently asked her to join him on his national ‘Highway One’ Tour in 2021.

“I have watched Raechel’s career since she was a kid performing in her family band and it’s been fantastic to see her grow as an artist, a singer and a songwriter. This latest single demonstrates her real talent.” – Adam Harvey

Her single, You Ain’t One Of Us, reached 10,000 streams on Spotify within five days of release, peaked at #11 on the Country Hot 50 national airplay charts (and stayed in the charts for 15 weeks!), and reached #19 on the CMT Official Countdown (and still climbing) – it just shows how country music fans are ready and waiting each time Raechel releases new music.

Though Raechel’s 2021 is already packed full with the Adam Harvey tour, she has found time to tour with music heavyweights Shane Nicholson, Wendy Matthews and Colin Buchanan. She’ll also be performing at Savannah in the Round in Mareeba, NQ’s Rock’n Country Festival in Mackay, and the Gympie Music Muster.

Her debut album, ‘Finally Clear’ is out now on Compass Bros Records.

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Have you always wanted to be a musician? When did you start writing music?
I grew up playing music in my travelling country family band, ‘The Lees’, but in my early 20s I pretty gave up on any dreams being an artist. I thought I’d had my chance and didn’t think I would get another, which makes me all the more grateful to be pursuing music now! Having been a songwriter since I was 8 years old, I’m glad it all came full circle and I’m back doing what I love again (and the songs have gotten a little better than when I was 8!)

How would you describe your sound? 
I’ve been waiting to release my debut album ‘Finally Clear’ since early 2020 and so to be finally putting it out into the world is just incredible. I think it’s hard to describe your own sound, but I’d say I’m on the cusp of alt-country and wholesome country. I’m a perpetual optimist and I view the world is a very romantic kind of way. It took a lot for me to decide I was going to be an artist, and this album is all about the journey I took to reach the point of deciding to give music a real shot. It’s the story of insecurity and anxiety, but also the message of hope in overcoming all of that by being brave and taking a chance. I found a lot of healing in making this record and I hope it does the same thing for everyone who hears it.

Why do you think people resonate with your music?
I always say that real music lovers have the ability to see when something is authentic or not. I love so many different types of music, but the story telling in country music just really gets me right in the feels. My guess as to why people resonate with my songs is because I’m just like them and I write about things they are probably going through as well. We all like to think we’re very individual and one of a kind, and in some ways, we are, but mostly we’re experiencing the same feelings, emotions, challenges and amazing moments. I just write about the world as I see it – it’s nice to know I’m not alone and that other people see it that way too.

Which music did you grow up listening to? How has it inspired you?
I grew up listening to amazing songwriters like Paul Kelly, Buddy and Julie Miller, Slim Dusty, Colin Buchanan, Kasey Chambers, and really just anyone so long as they had great lyrics! This really shaped the sort of artist I wanted to be, giving me such a deep appreciation for storytelling and lyrics that move you.

Do you have any more new music in the works?
I’ve just released my fourth single “Don’t Be Afraid”, and now my album “Finally Clear”, so you could say I’m right in the midst of releasing all the new music! I’ve had this album recorded since early 2020 so it feels so good to finally be releasing it.

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Any tours or events coming up soon? What are you looking forward to, and what can the fans expect?
I’m so grateful to be on the road with Adam Harvey this year for the entire national tour – it’s such a big thing as an up and coming artist to have the opportunity to play to a captive audience every night! I ’ve also got my first headline tour happening in April – Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne and Parkes!

If you could perform with any music artist, Alive or Dead, who would you choose? And why?   
The Eagles because I think everything they have ever released is truly iconic.

If you could perform anywhere in the world, where would it be? Why? 
Red Rocks Amphitheatre in Colorado, USA

Do you have any long-term aspirations as a music artist?   
I would love to be able to continue performing as an artist until I can’t do it anymore, and also to write for other artists.

What is the best thing about performing to a live audience? 
The best thing about performing live is seeing someone be moved emotionally by your song.

What’s been the career highlight so far?
Recording my debut album with Matt Fell, going on a national tour with Adam Harvey, having a top 10 radio hit, signing with Compass Bros Records, and getting over 300k streams on Spotify!

Any tours or events coming up soon? What are you looking forward to, and what can the fans expect? 
I’m so grateful to be on the road with Adam Harvey this year for the entire national tour – it’s such a big thing as an up and coming artist to have the opportunity to play to a captive audience every nigh

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Do you have any long-term aspirations as a music artist? 
I would love to be able to continue performing as an artist until I can’t do it anymore, and also to write for other artists.

What is the best thing about performing to a live audience? 
The best thing about performing live is seeing someone be moved emotionally by your song.

What’s been the career highlight so far?
Recording my debut album with Matt Fell, going on a national tour with Adam Harvey, having a top 10 radio hit, signing with Compass Bros Records, and getting over 300k streams on Spotify!

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TOUR DATES:

Friday 20th August – NQ’s Rockin’ Country – Mackay, QLD
Thursday 26th August – The Gympie Muster – Amamoor, QLD
Friday 1st October – Savannah in the Round – Mareeba, QLD

*Please visit HERE for all tour dates with Adam Harvey

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Follow RAECHEL WHITCHURCH
INSTAGRAM – FACEBOOK  – WEBSITE

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AMNPLIFY – DB