Rachel Maxann hails from the musically-rich city of Memphis. Possessing a unique vocal talent, her inspirational and exquisite vocals resonate with profound depth and richness that entrances audiences and leaves them in awe. We had the enormous pleasure to speak to her about her latest project EP “Black Fae”.
Thank you for agreeing to catch up with Occhi Magazine. For readers unfamiliar with you and your background, what drew you to a career in the arts?
I feel What first drew me towards a life in music was my family. My mother had actually perused a music career in Memphis(she’s from Cincinnati,)when she was younger. She always encouraged myself and my brothers to explore music,but it wasn’t until college that I realized it could actually become a career for me. It was there that I experienced connecting with other musicians as well as those who attended the shows. Although I was in school for psychology,I realized there were ways I could always have music be part of my life..and it has been.
Who were your early influences and how did they impact your career?
Some of my early musical influences were artists such as Evanescence, Amy Winehouse, and a lot of emo bands. They showed me a way I could take all of the difficult emotions I was feeling and transform them into music that others could relate to. Through the years, my best lessons in my music career came from fellow musician friends. They shared their experiences, good and bad, with me and I’m incredibly grateful for what I Iearned. One of my more recent influences is Valerie June. I was able to go on tour with her in 2022, and it was wonderful to see how well received a black female folk musician. It reignited my desire to continue my pursuit of music and gave me a renewed sense of hope in what my life can look like.
Which three traits define you?
Empathy, passion, and loyalty. I think those are the traits that influence my work in psychology as well as in music.
Please tell us about your latest project EP “Black Fae“
Black Fae is a title that has multiple meanings to me. When most people think about fantastical creatures, they usually aren’t portrayed as colored people but that has been changing. Much like in folk music, I feel that black people have re-emerged into the scene lately and reclaimed our roots. Another meaning is the darkness that can also come with the light. Most of my songs sound like they should be happier than they are because like my personality, I have a side of me that contains joy but there is also a part of me that struggles. I recorded the album in the comfort of my producer’s studio Swerve Workshop, and it was released on June 8th.
What other projects are in the pipeline?
I’ll be recording a single this August that I’m really excited to share. I’m rarely inspired to write love songs, but fortunately, lately, I’ve had a reason to.
Where can our readers find out more about you?
- https://www.facebook.com/rachelmaxannmusic
- https://youtube.com/@RachelMaxann
- https://rachelmaxann.com
- https://www.instagram.com/rachelmaxann/
Photo credit: Cameron Mitchell and Lucia Lombardo, courtesy of MuddyPawPR
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