Rachel Platten’s resume reads something like this: Receptionist… Fired. Waitress…. Fired. Editorial assistant… Fired. Analyst at a consulting firm… Fired. Administrative Assistant… Fired. Incredible singer-songwriter whose honest, sultry, and powerful voice, engulfed by lush, shimmering harmonics and packaged with beauty and grace, capturing you from the moment she owns the stage… Hired.
Light positively emanates out of Rachel Platten, dazzling those fortunate enough to share a moment with this powerful force of kindness, talent, and true artistry. Blessed with the understanding of the Universe's give-and-take policy, the stunning songstress balances a thriving music career with personal charity, nurturing a life path filled with nothing but love.
Rachel's self-entitled debut EP, co-produced with Mark Turrigiano (Ingrid Michaelson) emerges as a magnificent fusion of the folk of Yael Naem with the funk of the Jackson 5; saturated with piano-driven soul-pop, distorted trombones and ambient synths in every corner. An upbeat record whose innocence becomes less convincing upon a close study of the lyrical content, Platten aimed to reach audiences spiritually and emotionally, lifting people up in a classic, honest, and undeniably soulful fashion.
And she delivers. The love-bound "All I Seem to Do" screams of Motown with it's sassy organ and walking bass, while the synthesized intimacy of "You Don't Have to Go" manages to set the mood while undeniably questioning our own double standards.
The EP captures the exquisite unfolding of this artist’s career while maintaining the same excitement and innocence of Platten’s first mind-blowing performance, singing back-up for a Trinidad Soca band in front of thousands of people, knowing at that moment she found her calling. "It felt like lightening struck me," says Rachel, her smile widening. "This is EXACTLY what I'm supposed to be doing and it was amazing, just the most incredible thing." Exuding energy, light, and soul in every performance, Rachel’s music, and its multifarious appeal, fashions a scene of it's own, reaching to mass audiences of all ages.
With a generous heart that beats for the New York City community and for those less fortunate, Rachel has spent the past few years giving back, grateful for the good fortune already bestowed on this gifted artist. Platten regularly participates in Musicians on Call, a charity that bring musicians into hospitals for live, private performances with patients. The experience has been one of the personal highlights of her career, keeping the ”give to get back” mantra flowing consistently. "I needed something to do with what I loved that wasn't for me,” she admits humbly. “The whole point is you’re uplifting people one-by-one; just trying to make someone feel better and take a little bit of stress off them for the moment,” the singer says of the experience. “Moments when you know you’ve touched someone deeply… that’s powerful.”
With songs saturated with happiness and hope and a voice that resonates deep into your core, this singer-songwriter is destined for an explosive career. In the current state of our country and the difficult times people are enduring, Rachel’s music provides the ultimate remedy to cure the darkest moments: an infectious smile, a giving heart, a radiant soul, and a whole lot of love.
