RACHEL YAMAGATA IN CONCERT:
Indie singer-songwriter and critical darling Rachel Yamagata is nothing if not fearless. Over the past two decades Yamagata has established herself as one of the most fiercely original voices in contemporary pop music with her increasingly ambitious recordings and fiery live performances. In concert she holds nothing back, delivering her poetic lyrics with unbridled passion and wrenching every last drop of emotion out of deeply personal songs like "Over" and "Nobody." A talented multi-instrumentalist, Yamagata moves fluidly between piano and electric guitar in concert, conjuring an ever-evolving array of textures and moods to suit her dynamic compositions. Her backing band keeps pace brilliantly, contributing sparse percussion and haunting backup vocals that complement her expressive songs without distracting from their emotional impact. At the center of it all is Yamagata's smoky, soulful voice – a steady beacon that makes even her most melancholy moments feel like a spiritual awakening.
BACKGROUND SNAPSHOT:
Arlington, VA-born Rachel Yamagata got her start in the late '90s fronting Chicago funk-rock group Bumpus. She spent six years recording and touring with the band, then left in 2001 to start her solo career. After being picked up by Arista Records, Yamagata released a self-titled 2002 EP that she followed-up in 2004 with her debut full-length Happenstance. The album was a critical and commercial success, earning praise for its formidable songwriting and cracking the Top 20 on Billboard's Top Heatseekers chart. Following a high-profile 2007 tour with pop princess Mandy Moore, Yamagata returned to the studio and recorded her 2008 sophomore album Elephants…Teeth Sinking into Heart. Critic's praised that album's dark, brooding sound, and fans agreed – the record peaked at No. 10 on Billboard's Top Digital Albums chart. Since then Yamagata has continued to innovate, exploring laid-back blues-rock on 2011's Chesapeake and employing a wide variety of styles on 2016's genre-defying Tightrope Walker. Through it all, Rachel Yamagata has maintained an uncompromising creative vision and a sterling reputation as a performer that continues to draw ticket buyers out in droves.
