Rachel Brashear

The compilation wastes no time; it begins with a single guitar playing a classic rock riff and is soon accompanied by bass and drums and Brashear’s voice singing, “We push and pull, we push and pull, we push until the balance is uneven,” with tangible frustration.

The EP is filled with slicing, bluesy guitar riffs, while Brashear’s voice is at its best when languid and weary. The melodies and rhythms of her vocals are complex, yet she pulls it off with a seeming effortlessness that provides an important contrast for her music — even the fist-pumping guitar and drums on “Strength in Numbers” are tempered by her “been there before” vocals.

This style left me feeling that her sound could be improved if she hadn’t played the rock ’n’ roll as straightforwardly. Her mysterious voice would be better suited if paired with more psychedelic instrumentation. She does occasionally lean that direction, especially on the title track. With her voice multi-tracked into a disarming harmony, the song is smoky and cryptic but would have been improved with more musical experimentation. In other words, less Zeppelin, more Floyd.

However, Brashear proves a strong musical presence and doesn’t fail to make an impression. Paired with a stronger group of collaborators, she has the potential to make something remarkable. — Kevin Pickard - OK Gazette

Probably the most intriguing on Wednesday afternoon is Rachel Breashear, who puts a distinctly jazz/pop spin on her acoustic tunes, but veers off into modern alt-rock akin to Johnette Napolitano and Liz Phair when rocking out with a band. I’ll be anxious to see which one shows up at SXSW or if she can find some delicate balance. - Gary Hizer

Back upstairs, Rachel Brashear put on perhaps the most intriguing set of the day. The diminutive ACM@UCO product proved herself as an incredibly solid songwriter, which, coupled with some splendid guitar work, conjured alt-rock ghosts of decades past. - OK Gazette

Rachel Brashear was among those who performed under the shell at the Myriad Gardens Great Lawn Stage last weekend. - NewsOKC

audio file of radio review - theSpy/Oklahoma Rock Show

Instead of saying the Oklahoma music scene is taking off, actually listen to it — especially that of a talented, local female artist like Rachel Brashear. The Oklahoma City singer-songwriter’s debut full-length is a good place to start, standing out in thanks to the powerful crooner’s talent as a lyricist. At first blush, Songs from a Cave is a drastic sonic departure from her previous releases, yet the conviction in her voice carries through songs old and new, along with lyrics that stick with you long after the song ended.

First cut “Ace Up Your Sleeve” finds Brashear staunchly dismissing those who try to label her: “Don’t cut that hair / Just wear these heels / Nobody asked you how to feel,” she croons, mocking those trying to define her. The album — and “Ace Up Your Sleeve” in particular — is quick-witted and perceptive. Brashear could be mimicking any number of things (the music industry, the way women are expected to be feminine, or even an ex), and it’s because of this complexity that the album continually succeeds. The personal feel — compositions relying mostly on the way her voice melds with the piano — only accentuate this fact, and Brashear’s vocal intonation makes her songs feel all the more intimate. Compositions beginning with a simple piano chord are taken even higher by her voice, casting an enticingly dreamy magnetism and endless playability.

While Songs from a Cave is a shift from her 2014 work, it’s less a complete reinvention than a simple shift in focus that showcases her versatility as an artist. Each song plays as a mini-manifesto, taking on different subjects in order to give listeners insight into who she is. “Into the Night,” for example, is assertive but still introspective: “I answer questions when they’re asked / I play the game / I do the work I have to do / I show the smile when they want me to.” Brashear delivers these lyrics so sweetly that it nearly conceals her anger and resentment.

“Cave Song” might be the record’s apex, her words oozing out as a slew of instruments crescendo behind her. (“I exist between two possibilities / With my fingers on strings.”) There’s a particular vulnerability exuded throughout, one that belongs to those who feel fragmented, but refuse to surrender. Songs from a Cave never feels weighed down or overproduced, and Brashear’s talent as a lyricist manifests when cleverly potent instrumentation supports her dynamic voice. It’s a statement album if nothing else — Brashear’s response to those trying to pin her down. And she succeeds in silencing them. - Oxford Karma

Bringing her vision and a lot of hard work, singer/songwriter Rachel Brashear talks about her album, Songs From A Cave, in this Tuesday Treat interview. In this Q&A session, we talk about her background in music, what inspired the album, recording at the UCO Jazz Lab, her challenges, and more.

Rachel, talk a bit about yourself, your music, and how you got involved in making music for those unfamiliar with you.
I was born here in Oklahoma to a family of musicians. I grew up playing music and listening to my parents perform, and it never crossed my mind that I wouldn’t do the same. Music has been everything to me for as long as I can remember. I was always drawn to songwriters and composers, those that wrote thoughtful and artistic music, and I began writing and performing original material around the age of 12. I’ve had a few minor detours but have consistently written, performed, and taught music. I owe alot to my parents and all those wonderful music teachers I’ve had throughout my life. I moved home to Oklahoma City in 2012 and found a beautiful community of musicians that have really helped push me into creating better art.

What inspired the album, Songs From A Cave, and its songs?
“This album is one cohesive piece of work, but it contains many stories. But all of them are true. I decided to be more raw, more personal, in this album.”This album is one cohesive piece of work, but it contains many stories. But all of them are true. I decided to be more raw, more personal, in this album. There are themes of duplicity, regret, strength, the often overlooked feminine perspective, and growth through destruction. There is a level of emotional chaos within some of these songs, teetering on a precipice that I needed to explore, and there are some songs of tenderness and healing. I think its important to let people interpret the stories in their own way and I hope these songs invite people in enough to do so. - Uncovering Oklahoma

Rachel Brashear loves wigs.

The Oklahoma City-born songstress, 32, donned one for a recent photo shoot. It was in support of her upcoming album “Songs From a Cave.” You can hear a sample from the album on NewsOK.com/blogs/middleofnowhere. "Songs From a Cave" was released digitally Monday.

Back to the wigs.

As fun as they are, Brashear acknowledged their impact when I sat down with her at the Red Cup in May. She said her album art poked fun at how a woman is supposed to be visualized. The wig stripped away the pressure of being reduced to a sex object.

She said it turned the importance of physical beauty on its head. It also tapped into her own music’s dramatic sonic shift. What was once a raw, stripped-down rock project has turned into something more full, complex and confident.

It was a slow growth, though. Some of that was due to her reluctance of wanting to haul around a keyboard.

The tracks on “Song From a Cave” developed from a series of demos and sessions Brashear had completed at ACM@UCO, the University of Central Oklahoma's contemporary music academy. The demos sounded good, but they were missing something.

“It wasn’t right, yet,” Brashear said. “I realized going completely acoustic wasn’t going to be appropriate, that it still needed to have an edge. A lot of the material had more emotion than I could convey acoustically."

That’s when producer Michael Trepagnier stepped in. It was an instant fit. During the course of three days, Brashear invited a small group of musicians to track “Songs From a Cave” live at the UCO Jazz Lab. Aaron Tomasko played bass. Robby “Hot Rod” Anderson was on drums. All the songs were arranged and ready to get knocked out during Christmas break in 2014.

Brashear said she wasn’t interested in wasting time in the studio.

“That’s my way of doing things,” Brashear said. “I get the song, I write it, and it’s pretty much done before I present it to my bandmates even.”

Brashear said she gets irritated trying to work with people who aren’t ready.

Her vision was clear on “Songs From a Cave” and she knocked it out in no time. The results are equal parts moody and impressive. Trepagnier mixed the album and Kevin Lively mastered it. Brashear only regrets not recording more when she did.

If you like what you hear, then catch Brashear June 12 at City Pres in Oklahoma City as part of the Midtown Songwriter Series. Levi Parham and Kyle Reid are on opening duties. - NewsOK

We’re happy to carry on our custom color scheme giveaway and collaboration with She Shreds. This week Rachel Brashear came by OBNE HQ and made some killer sounds happen. Rachel lives in Oklahoma City where she teaches piano and attends the Academy of Contemporary Music. Check her out her new album at rachelbrashear.com - She Shreds Magazine