Quiet Color

by tatis (pics by yvette labov & heather boone)

I’ve been wanting to spotlight Rachel Goodrich for a while now. She’s the strong hold of the Miami indie scene and a relatively hidden treasure. A step ahead of the ukulele phenomenon, she’ll be bringing her unique vocals and charming performances to SXSW this year. This girl has serious talent and style. Check out her MySpace, buy her record, and enjoy the Q&A. Forgive all the South Florida references, I’m from there.

Artist: Rachel Goodrich Song: Light Bulb

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Quiet Color: Firstly I gotta say that even though we couldn’t do this over the phone given our frenetic life styles, I don’t want to miss out on all the random and spontaneous information I would’ve gotten during our chill phone conversation. So feel free to be as colorful as possible..

For example, You’d be happy to know that I blazed to a Joni Mitchell album in preparation for this interview.. Do you have a favorite song of hers?

Rachel Goodrich: Oh man, a favorite is difficult . I’ll name a few ‘jungle line,’ ‘cactus tree,’ ‘flight tonight,’ ‘chelsea morning,’ ‘that song about the midway,’ ‘tin angel,’ ‘for free,’ ‘coyote,’ ‘cold blue steel and sweet fire,’ ‘you turn me on, im a radio.’ More than a few, I can keep goin’.

QC: Miami’s underground music scene is relatively small and has yet to produce much in the way of folk and indie rock, how does your location mesh with your style?

RG: Miami knows how to get down. The kind of energy that’s created here is insane and out of control. Miami has contributed culture & Collins of avenues to the shake-a-billy madness..

QC: In terms of the Miami music scene, the lineup assembled for this year’s Langerado Music Festival was pretty insane: Broken Social Scene, Snoop Dog, Girl Talk, Death Cab, Cold War Kids, and of course yourself. I was devastated to hear that it was canceled due to slow ticket sales. The show must go on. How were you affected?

RG: Being an annual attendee, I will miss Langerado this year. However, I will be playing ‘Harvest of Hope’ held in St. Augustine, FL on March 7th.

QC: Thankfully you also have South by Southwest in late March to fill any lingering festival urges, is it your first time over there?

RG: This will be my second time hangin’ at SXSW so I’m looking forward to the chaos.

QC: Despite the national exposure, you remain unsigned. You self distributed your debut release under the Yellow Bear Records moniker. Do you prefer this new trend of self album release? Was it a personal choice based on circumstance? Would you sign to a major label if it was offered to you?

RG: Just playin’ my cards. Workin with what I’ve got. Major.. minor.. whatever’s clever, Yah know.

QC: I know you grew up in Miami Beach and thought you went to college at UF, did you leave early to follow the music path? Were you playing at school?

RG: I never went to UF, I attended SFCC. I left ’cause my time in G’ville was up.  I did love it for 2 years though. Lots of guitar and writing, exploring different perspectives and tones..

QC: Do you see yourself in Miami long term? And because I’m personally curious, what’s your least and favorite part of the city?

RG: I don’t think i leave the beach often enough to determine my least favorite part of the city. However, I do dig ‘calle ocho‘ and the old ‘grove.’ My favorite is and always will be Miami Beach. My love. My home. But I can’t stay forever.  I gotta get goin’ you know?

QC: You’re a young vibrant artist on the scene so despite you’re somewhat recent release, I’m sure you’re always moving in new and creative directions. What’s your life like right now? Where are you at mentally and attitude wise?

RG: Indeed. I feel I’m in constant motion. Always changing. Mostly for the crazier. Mentally I’d say my fluctuated fickleness has left me in a bind and I struggle as a writer from time to time. My attitude doesn’t seem to change. Sometimes my lack of motivation throws me off but overall I try to keep a steady mind.

QC: And to complete the question, what are your music goals for the rest of the year? Produce new material? Tour & Play shows? increase fame / exposure? Or just relax and see what comes?

RG: Always producing new material. I’ve started getting ready for the next record and will begin recording shortly. As of right now, traveling around with the traveling band, playing shows whenever we can. Cause we love it!

QC: Well thanks so much for your time Rachel. We only chilled briefly at that Vagabond show but I think you’re a delight. You provide a much needed dynamic to the culture down there and it doesn’t go  unappreciated. Come up and play Brooklyn soon.

RG: It was a pleasure to meet. Thank you for the kind words. Heading up to New York soon with another band from Miami called the Jean Marie. We are playing Sullivan Hall on April 17th. Hope you can hang! ‘Till soon!

[Editor's note: You can buy Rachel Goodrich's debut record Tinker Toys here. It's awesome.]

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