Hear from Rachel Loshak
on the occassion of her latest cd MINT
I first happened across the sweet sounds of Rachel Loshak at a CMJ showcase, a few years back, in one of the many free performance rooms on Manhattan’s lower east side. In these bars and cafes, most within close walking distance of one another, incredible talent plays for tips and sometimes dinner on the house. The Living Room, where Loshak plays about once a month if not more, has closed its kitchen. But the joint has the good taste to keep serving up Rachel Loshak and her band – usually to standing-room only crowds.

She’s followed up 2000’s Firefly, with its memorable favorites including “China Doll” and “Beautiful Night,” with this year’s MINT, her third CD.

On its 11 pefect tracks, Rachel’s expectant bass, and frequently used guitars and drums meld with vibraphone, horns, keys, and backing vocals for an experience that’s all at once beautifully moving and down right groovin’

Rachel hit on a handful ot topics about what she does, and how, for this electronic interview.
ur: the art of song writing ... rl: I sit down, and play and sing, and see what comes out. Sometimes I have an idea in my head, maybe when I’m walking along the street. ...Different things inspire me every time. Strong feelings, either positive or sad, but always strong.
ur: self-releasing MINT your Apple Blossom Records... rl: “I had all the songs ready, and saw no reason to delay! It was the right time for us as a band, we were really enjoying playing together and wanted it recorded. I think we captured something great, I’m really happy with it.”
ur: Some songs on Mint have a tropical, or reggae, almost funk. beat. Rachel said that’s her reggae influences coming to the surface. (continued next page) rl: “The more experience I have writing, the more able I am to work with them when they arise.”
Rachel works days in a psychiatric unit, doing some music therapy, “and a lot of other things! ... It’s hard to do both. I feel like I lead a double life sometimes, but it is a rewarding job to have.”
ur: What are among the bigger challenges you’ve faced as a musician in New York city? rl: Booking people are mostly mean! (no offense to those who are kind!) It’s a tough city to live in overall, and it’s easy to get worn down by it if you let it get to you - which is sometimes unavoidable! I have found my niches though, and feel I have good places to play, and a good crowd who come and support me.
ur: You’re practically the house band at the Living Room, with frequent appearances there. But you’ve also played odd locales like a winery in the Hudson Valley. rl: I’m booking a lot more shows out of town at the moment, and trying to set things up for being “on the road” rather than going off for one gig. There’s numerous places that I’d like to play, and hopefully will. ... I’m doing as much as I can to get out there right now. I may be going to England to open for some up and coming people there, and hope to do a mini-tour of the midwest in August. There are some other things in the pipeline...
ur: What’s in store for Summer and Fall? rl: I’m going to Sweden for my nephews christening in July. Everything else musical is still in the works.

For more about one of New York’s finest (musicians), and links to a wealth of info about her and the music, Cds, visit www.Rachelloshak.com.