Q&A: rache. Is Ready to Show the World Who She Is
INTERVIEW
INTERVIEW
☆ BY NTHATILE MAVUSO ☆
RACHE. MAKES A BOLD ENTRANCE WITH HER SHIMMERING DEBUT EP LET ME INTRODUCE MYSELF. The five-track project serves as a soulful and daring step out from behind the scenes for the RnB and pop singer-songwriter. Until 2023, rache. had written songs for other artists until she realized that there was a sound she could offer to the world – she has been unstoppable since.
The artist has a classical piano background and started writing her own music at sixteen in her childhood bedroom. This DIY and organic background is common for artists, but rache.’s identity as a first-generation, LGBTQ+ American is the factor and fuel for her to make a name that her community would be proud of. Impressively, she has written songs for Tia Kofi (2024 winner of RuPaul’s Drag Race UK vs. The World) and the artist Kennen.
Even with her own project, rache. has garnered over 300k streams across 138 countries, and has been featured on prominent playlists such as YAMS and The Blues Project with her highly praised lead single “Patient.” Lush vocals and a warm but lively sound characterise Let Me Introduce Myself and reaffirm that rache.’s endless potential is undeniable.
Luna had a lovely discussion with rache. about “Patient,” her influences, and what she is doing next.
LUNA: “Patient” has such an effortless bounce and emotional core — can you walk us through how that song came together from the first idea to the final mix?
RACHE.: “Patient” came together the morning after a first date. The night prior, I left it feeling excited but afraid about the connection. I was coming back into dating slowly after coming out of a harmful experience months prior. When I got to the studio to write, “Patient” really just wrote itself. Edy, who produced the track, played the piano chords, and the lyrics poured out of me. Each section feels like a different section of my mind processing the experience – my intrusive thoughts freaking out, the dopamine hit after a good first date, and ultimately, my intuition, which was telling me I really just needed patience from others, and from myself at that moment. The right person would understand I need time to be fully ready and be willing to wait for me. It was a realization I never had until I wrote this track, and I think it’s really beautiful that this song brought me a lesson that has defined my standards in almost every aspect of my life, a year after it was written.
LUNA: Your sound sits beautifully between R&B and pop, with shades of artists like Victoria Monét and Chloe x Halle. Who were the voices that shaped your sound, and how do you make sure you’re still pushing the genre forward in your own way?
RACHE.: I would definitely say Victoria Monét is a HUGE inspiration as a songwriter and artist! I also love Leon Thomas, Snoh Aalegra, Thee Sacred Souls, and Greta Van Fleet. I firmly believe my background in classical piano, guitar, and all that stuff has taught me how to study what has been done, so much to the point that in my own music, I have no choice but to carry the torch for my own sound. I’ve done all the studying on music anyone could possibly do, and I’m ready to play the game instead of just learning it.
LUNA: You’ve already written for other artists, including a RuPaul’s Drag Race winner! What felt different, more vulnerable, or more empowering about releasing music under your own name and for yourself?
RACHE.: Writing for my own project gives me a lot more opportunity to explore with my creativity. While writing for others is a beautiful, amazing thing, I feel that being able to tell my story, with my own voice, on my own terms also gives me the chance to visually share all of these things, too. It all-around feels like I’m building a world more than anything, and that’s something I realized I need in order to feel fulfilled in my career in music.
LUNA: As a first-generation, LGBTQ+ Hispanic-American artist, how does your identity shape the stories you choose to tell in your music, especially in a track like “Patient,” which feels personal yet universally relatable?
RACHE.: My identity has felt extremely unique growing up in the small town and Americanized culture that I did. I’ve felt isolated and misunderstood by many friends, family members, and past partners as a lesbian from a Hispanic and Catholic family. However, I realized that just because my identity may not be tangible for EVERYONE, I am still human and experience many universal emotions. I hope my music can be a sign that despite ALL of our unique backgrounds, perspectives, and identities, we are all still human and have gone through many similar feelings. I hope to dig deeper into these parts of my life in future works, and I’m really excited to expand on this conversation through my music.
LUNA: You’re classically trained in piano. How does that background influence the way you build songs now, especially in a more contemporary R&B/pop context?
RACHE.: I would say classical piano has, ironically, made me learn to go against the curve in my compositional songwriting. I feel like learning so much about music theory, scales, classical pieces, etc. in my childhood, I used to feel that I had to conform a lot during that time. Now, I almost feel like I’ve broken free from those restrictions in my writing after being immersed in them for so long. However, there are many techniques from the fundamentals of music theory that help me piece together chords and notes efficiently. I’m really grateful for my background because it has led me exactly to who I need to be as a creative, even if classical piano wasn’t that direction specifically.
LUNA: With over 800 TikTok videos using “Patient” and thousands of global streams, your momentum is building. How are you approaching your next few releases, and is there an overarching narrative you’re creating?
RACHE.: I’m approaching my next releases by maintaining consistency in posting, celebrating every little win I possibly can, and carving the narrative of what got me here. Moving to LA to pursue music by myself is something I think many people can relate to; it’s difficult having to make sacrifices for your passion. I’m excited to continue to tell this story and slowly show listeners this side of me. It feels like the right extension of the music and themes I’ve covered in my first project, to what’s next.
LUNA: You’ve mentioned wanting to tackle heavier topics in your upcoming singles. Can you give us a hint at what’s coming next and what kind of stories or emotions you’re ready to dive into?
RACHE.: I’ll just say you’ll get to know ME so much more – Rachel, not just rache. – which I’m excited to show the world.
