Rachel Harrington: News

Rachel's 4th full-length album, "Makin' Our House A Honkytonk," officially releases in the US on June 19, 2012.  Stay tuned for purchase info, incoming reviews and radio play.

"Makin' Our House A Honkytonk" (aka Rachel Harrington & The Knock Outs) released in Europe earlier this year and has gotten stellar reviews.  Here's a sample:

Maverick Magazine ~ 5/5 stars.  "As country as country gets"

Fatea Records ~ "Loretta Lynn? Move over and make way for your natural successor to take centre stage."

Lonesome Highway ~ "Powerhouse lead vocals ... her delivery is spot on making this a must have for lovers of that classic country sound, a sound that is fresh, alive and beating. One that could scare Country Radio right out of it's trainers."

Q Magazine ~ "Harrington makes Neko Case sound like Olivia Newton John"

Country Music People Magazine ~ 4 stars: "A real cracker of an album!"

American Roots Uk ~ 4 stars: "It would be nice to think that it is albums such as this that Gram Parsons was referring to when putting down ‘country rock,’ instead preferring the more coverall term ‘Cosmic American Music.’ If that’s the case he would have loved this superb recording!"

Blabber n' Smoke ~ "diving straight in at the deep end ... Harrington has made a raunchy country album that one could imagine the likes of Loretta Lynn might produce if she were 50 years younger."

The Irish Times ~ 4 stars: "Remember that nice Rachel Harrington and her quiet, contemplative country music from the Oregon hills? Well, you should hear her now that she’s fallen in with the honkytonk crowd. What a mouth!"

Mad Mackerel ~ "an album of pure, unbridled honky-tonk Country music. Sure there are some echoes of garage rock, some soul leanings and a smattering of Phil Spector-ish doo-wop, but at its heart this is pure Country and all the better for it."

 Pennyblack Music ~ "the boot-stompin' world of backwoods country, like Merle did it back before the big Nashville names sanded off all the edges."

 Electric Ghost ~ "1960's pre-countrypolitan Nashville ... the closest thing you'll hear to a new Loretta Lynn album since Loretta was a 29 year old grandmother"

Whisperin and Hollerin ~ "live, sassy and colourful. High-octane, Burritos-style garage-roots" 

 
 

The Knock Outs are just back from a non-stop 5-week tour through Europe to support Rachel's new album, "Makin' Our House A Honkytonk." The girls had a blast!  32 shows in 35 days, with 12 of the gigs sold-out and a feature on BBC2's legendary Bob Harris show.  Pics and tour journals at the Facebook pages: http://www.facebook.com/therlh and http://www.facebook.com/Left.Hooks

Howdy Folks,

Lots been evolving the past 9 months here.  Rachel put together an all-girl honkytonk band to tour in support of her new album.  The girls were busy recording this winter, and the new cd is releasing abroad on CRS in April.  We're working on getting the final funding together for US manufacturing and release.  If you'd like to help out by pre-ordering the album or becoming a Sponsor, visit the PITCH IN link above.  You can also preview the album and order it digitally at that link as well.

The girls are headed out March 1 for five weeks on their first-ever tour together throughout Europe and the UK.  Stay tuned at Rachel's facebook site for tour photos, tour journal entries and daily updates as they travel.  Give us a "like" at:

facebook.com/rachellynharrington

Thanks for your support!

 

We're thrilled to report that Rachel was a winner in Merlefest's 2011 Chris Austin Songwriting Contest, placing her alongside prior winners like Gillian Welch and Tift Merritt.  Rachel spent a total of four days at the prestigious Merlefest, wandering around backstage awestruck, dumbstruck, and lovestruck, rubbing elbows with many of her heroes.  Lyle Lovett.  Randy Travis.  The 88-year-old legend that is Doc Watson.  In fact, Rachel came back so reinvigorated and inspired that she's eager to get back in saddle and make another new album this fall.  Please visit the Pitch In! tab for more information and details about how you can help. 

Thanks, y'all!

Lots to report!

Rachel Harrington & The Do Right Boys (Evan Brubaker and Colby Sander) are just back from their first-ever European tour as a trio. Dates included several sell-out gigs and a good time was had by all.

Rachel's new record, CELILO FALLS, is now in its 5th consecutive week in the Top-40 on the Americana chart in the US. It is currently #9 on the Roots chart, #16 on the Freeform chart, and #5 on the Folk chart - making it the 5th most-played album on folk radio in the US right now.

This just out: a new music video for You'll Do (from Celilo Falls), featuring Supersuckers frontman and fellow Seattle-ite Eddie Spaghetti: http://youtu.be/aK2CPfXH3Sc
And lastly, we recently got word that Rachel is one of 12 finalists in this year's Chris Austin Songwriting Contest, which means she's headed to play Merlefest at the end of April. Previous winners include Tift Merritt and Gillian Welch.

The song that's been called out for the contest is on Celilo Falls, and is available as a single download here:

He Started Building My Mansion In Heaven Today

http://www.amazon.com/Started-Building-Mansion-Heaven-Today/dp/B004OM2L8Y/ref=sr_1_14?ie=UTF8&s=dmusic&qid=1303240863&sr=1-14

This just in - Celilo Falls is in the top-5 most-added new records to Americana radio in the US this week, along with new releases from Lucinda Williams and Drive-By Truckers.

The new record, Celilo Falls, is all packed up and shipping out today to over 600 radio and press contacts in the US.

Rachel will be supporting Iris Dement for her two northwest shows next month: March 11 at the Aladdin Theater in Portland, Oregon, and March 12 at the Triple Door in Seattle, Washington.

Stay tuned for Celilo Falls CD Release shows ...

We just heard that Rachel's new record, Celilo Falls, is getting 4 stars reviews in the February issues of both Mojo and Q magazines!

Howdy Folks,

Thanks for stopping by. Rachel has just finished a big 3-month European tour, accompanied by Lindisfarne founder Rod Clements. Rachel and Rod covered about 8,500 miles in that time and played over 60 gigs, many of them sold-out, including appearances at the esteemed Summertyne Americana Festival and the Perth Southern Fried Festival. This was Rachel's 4th tour overseas. She's been touring there 3 months a year for the past three years, as one reporter put it: "the hardest working woman in Americana." Rachel's now taking some time off, gearing up for the early 2011 release of her newest record, Celilo Falls. Advance copies are available to purchase through CD Baby: http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/rachelh5

Sign up on the monthly mailing list while you're here, so we can keep in touch and let you know when Rachel's back out on the road. http://www.skinnydennis.com/?section=home

Thanks, and happy wintering!
Sandy

Rachel has just signed a deal with Rounder Europe/CRS for Celilo Falls. The new record will be in stores throughout mainland Europe beginning November 22, 2010. UK release is January 17, 2011 through Proper Distribution.

The team is shopping for a deal in the US. Barring that, we'll release it ourselves on SkinnyDennis with distribution from Burnside in Jan/Feb 2011.

Thank you so much for your suport!

Great news - Rachel's new record, Celilo Falls, just debuted at #3 on the Euro Americana Chart, behind Justin Townes Earle and Richard Thompson. Good company indeed!

Howdy folks,

Great news! My brand new record is almost out. It'll officially release Nov 8 in Europe and the UK, and February 1 in the US. Until then, you can download and/or pre-order it here: http://rachelharrington.bandcamp.com/
I hope you enjoy!

Many thanks for your support,
Rachel

Howdy!

I am currently writing and recording my new record. You can follow along behind the scenes at rachelsnewrecord.tumblr.com

And, you can help the new project by donating at http://www.skinnydennis.com/products.html
Thank you so much for your support!

Happy Holidays!

I hope this note finds you and your family well.

New news on my end:

VOTE WITH ONE CLICK: I've been nominated for Best Overseas Artist in the Spiral Earth awards. With just one click, you can vote. I'd really appreciate your help if you can spread the word! http://www.spiralearth.co.uk/spirals2010/overseas.asp
FAR WEST SHOWCASE: I was selected to perform an official showcase at this year's western regional division of the International Folk Alliance. That was in November (last month) in LA, California and was a lot of fun - even though I didn't stay down south long enough to use the hotel pool or get much sunshine.

CELTIC CONNECTIONS: I am honored that I'll be playing a one-off performance on a triple bill ticket in one of the UK's largest music festivals, Celtic Connections, on January 30th, 2010. Also on the bill are Diana Jones and Karine Polwart. I will be playing as a trio, joined by Paul Elliott on fiddle and David Keenan on mandolin. Tickets are available here: http://www.celticconnections.com/whatson/event/90257-Grace,-Hewat-&-Polwart-&-Diana-Jones-&-Rachel-Harrington
INTERNATIONAL FOLK ALLIANCE: After many years of applying, I have at last been invited to perform an official showcase at the 2010 International Folk Alliance conference in Memphis Tennessee this February.

MARCH 2010 TOURING in the NORTHWEST: I'll be doing a co-bill tour will California based singer-songwriter Rita Hosking. I've been really enjoying her record and I think you might too. Look her up and tell her I sent you! http://ritahosking.com/

Thank you so very much for your support this year! All the touring and gigs, the live cd, and the cds before that. I couldn't be a full-time musician without you and I want to make sure you know how much that means to me. Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!

All the best wishes to you this season and in the coming new year. May it be the best yet for us all!

With love,
Rachel

I am finally back at home.

This spring/summer of three straight months of touring was wonderful, incredible, taxing, miserable, lonely, exhilarating, exhausting, life-changing and blessed. Touring is always a carnival ride filled with amazing twists and turns that leave you just happy to be alive. I love it.

This whole year, in fact, has been quite a ride. In the past twelve months, I headlined at some really big festivals: Bluewaters Bluegrass festival (WA), Naked Song Festival (Netherlands), Glasgow Americana Festival (Scotland), Southern Fried Festival (Scotland), Maverick Festival (England) ... Humbled and honored!

And so ... I got back home a couple of weeks ago, did some serious r and r with my family, and now I am headed back to Seattle where I'll be mostly songwriting and recording and hibernating for the winter.

In addition to a new record, I have a few other projects I'll be working on this coming year. I am writing an e-book for musicians about booking and promotion as an independent artist; That will be available by fall. I have started a radio and press mailing service for musicians, called EAR; You can read more about that at www.EmergingArtistResources.com. And I've decided to make my first foray into teaching guitar, voice, songwriting, and performing, giving private lessons from my home in West Seattle. If you'd like more information on any of the above, you can write me directly at rachel(at)skinnydennis(dot)com

Thanks so much for listening and for buying the records and coming out to the gigs. Your support is what enables me to do what I love to do and for that, you have my eternal gratitude.

Love,
Rachel

All things considered, life is grand. I am on tour throughout Europe for April, May and June, returning home in mid-July. Many radio shows, interviews, and plenty of wonderful gigs abound. I really feel blessed right now. You can stay up to date and get behind the scenes at the Travelogue at rachelsrambles.tumblr.com Thanks so much to all the folks who are coming out to the shows and helping spread the word - it's working and it's so great! Thank you!! More tour photos to come soon. And a new cd is brewing underneath. I'll hope to be recording soon.  I am really looking forward to hearing what will come next, and which direction it will go. Thank you for taking the ride with me. All the best, Rachel

We're in full swing here getting ready to head out for three straight months of overseas touring through England, Scotland, Ireland, The Netherlands, and Belgium.

Next month, Rachel releases a barebones live record called In The Woods ... more on that soon.

Check out the REVIEWS page for new reviews from:

Utne Reader
Sound NW magazine
Performing Songwriter
Penny Black Music
Village Records
Rambles
VH1/Barnes & Noble
Wear the Trousers
and others ...

The new cd, City of Refuge, is now available at Barnes & Noble, Amazon, and iTunes, among others.

Happy holidays from the RH crew!

Rachel's sophomore record, City of Refuge, continues to get regular airplay at Starbucks stores throughout the US. The disc is #29 on the September Folk Album Chart, between Crooked Still and Emmylou Harris, and is now in its 4th straight month on the Euro-Americana Chart. Thank you, DJs!

SkinnyDennis Records has just entered into deals with Burnside and Proper for distribution in the US and UK respectively. Soon, you'll be able to pick up a copy of City of Refuge in a store near you.

CD Release parties in the northwest US are coming soon - have a look at the SHOWS link - we'd love to have you there!

Currently at #11 on the Roots Music Report Chart, #66 on the Americana Music Association Chart, #25 on the Folk DJ Chart, #25 on the Freeform American Roots Chart and #7 on the Euro-Americana Chart.

THANK YOU DJs! WE LOVE YOU!!

Q, the UKs largest music magazine, gvies City of Refuge FOUR STARS! "Gothic tracks on an inspiringly original album ... Q recommends!"

The Irish Times gives City of Refuge FOUR STARS: "Rachel Harrington's The Bootlegger's Daughter was one of the more impressive albums of 2007 and certainly among the best debuts; City of Refuge moves the Oregon-bred singer-songwriter to a new level."

City of Refuge is currently #25 on the RMR Chart, #87 on the AMA Chart, and still hanging on strong at #7 on the Euro-Americana Chart, three months after its debut there at #2! Many thanks to all those DJs, both at home and abroad!!

The brand new album, City of Refuge, just released to US radio and is at #105 on the AMA chart. We'll see how far she climbs ...

The record went all the way to #2 on the Euro-Americana Chart, and is now #4 on the national chart in The Netherlands:

Americana & Roots
based on sales and airplay
September 2008

1 All I Intended To Be
Emmylou Harris (Nonesuch)

2 I, Flathead
Ry Cooder (Nonesuch)

3 Harps and Angels
Randy Newman (Nonesuch)

4 City of Refuge
Rachel Harrington (Skinny Dennis)

Autographed copies of Rachel's forthcoming record, City of Refuge are now available for pre-order. Please see www.rachelharrington.net/products.hmtl
And at last, the music video for Summer's Gone, a song off Rachel's debut cd, The Bootlegger's Daughter, is now available to view. Please go to the homepage here at the website and scroll down a bit.

And photos from the big 2008 European Tour are finally up - see the slide show on the homepage.

Our sincere thanks for your support!

This week we finish up the two and half months of overseas touring, with a grand finale at the Perth Americana Festival with Allen Toussaint, The Wilders, and Nanci Griffith.

Tracks from the soon to be released City of Refuge will soon be playing at a Starbucks store near you.

Also stay tuned to the website for forthcoming reviews.

The new cd, City of Refuge, officially releases August 18 in the UK and September 30 in the US.

Rock and roll for life!

City of Refuge debuts this month at # 2 on the Euro-Americana Chart, and UK radio is getting the cd as we type.

Overseas touring is going very well and plans already underway for a return trip in April/May 2009.