Rachel Brooke

Last updated
Rachel Brooke
Rachel Brooke 2021.jpg
Brooke performing at Muddy Roots, August 2021
Background information
Origin Michigan
GenresCountry
Years active2008 (2008)present

Rachel Brooke is an American country musician. [1] Since 2008 she has released four full-length records, [2] two collaboration records with Lonesome Wyatt of Those Poor Bastards several EPs and other side projects. She is considered a key member of the underground country movement of the early 21st century, with sounds rooted in traditional Americana rather than modern corporate Nashville country music. [3]

Contents

Early life

Brooke grew up in Lovells, Michigan. She was largely influenced by her father Barry Van Guilder, a banjo player and guitarist who introduced her to several genres and music and eventually brought her to perform with him at a country fair. [4]

Career

Prior to her solo career, Brooke spent her teenage years playing in an all-girl punk band. [5]

Brooke's first two records, A Killer's Dream (2008) and Down at the Barnyard (2010) both had a sound rooted in country bluegrass and gothic blues. [6] Her next two efforts, A Killer's Dream (2012) and The Loneliness In Me (2020) incorporated more elements of blues and jazz, while still retaining the classic sound from her earlier records. [7] [8]

She has performed at many festivals including Muddy Roots, South by Southwest, the Americana Music Festival & Conference and the Rochester International Jazz Festival. [5]

Discography

Studio albums

Collaborative albums

Appears on

EPs

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References

  1. "Rachel Brooke". Independent Music Awards. Retrieved 10 April 2023.
  2. "Rachel Brooke: A Killer's Dream, PopMatters". PopMatters . 12 February 2013. Retrieved 11 April 2023.
  3. Jon Norton (16 November 2021). "Rachel Brooke's latest album a delicious dip into sadness, regret, and self-deprecation". WGLT . Retrieved 12 April 2023.
  4. Robert E Martin (22 April 2021). "RACHEL BROOKE • Walking the Musical Line Between Tradition and Transformation". Review Magazine. Retrieved 12 April 2023.
  5. 1 2 "About". Rachel Brooke Music. Retrieved 16 April 2023.
  6. Laura Whitmore (25 August 2020). "Twangy and Powerful! Rachel Brooke Captures the Essence of Regret With 'Great Mistake'". Parade . Retrieved 12 April 2023.
  7. John Apice (16 October 2020). "REVIEW: Rachel Brooke "The Loneliness In Me" Is Classy And Authentic". Americana Highways. Retrieved 12 April 2023.
  8. Matt Wallock (2020). "Rachel Brooke Tackles Her Woes With Wit, Grit, and Humor in "The Loneliness in Me"". American Songwriter . Retrieved 16 April 2023.