rachanee.net

CD Review: Ordinary Girl

Tue, Nov. 14 2006

by Aaron Ferris for Cross Rhythms

"... honest and relevant songwriting... the most admirable thing after listening to this album is one woman's humility and heart to know more of her Saviour, a perspective sadly missing in many acts today."

Read the full article at Cross Rhythms

CD Review: Ordinary Girl

Tue, Jul. 11 2006

Not So Ordinary
by Kevan Breitinger of Christianmusic.suite101.com

“Rachanee’s debut album, the folk/pop ‘Ordinary Girl’ is really not so ordinary…. She sings of the life issues common to many of us, and she does it without a lot of hubbub. This is not faint praise. I think this may be Rachanee’s niche…. The title track… gives Rachanee opportunity to really pour out her soul, and it is a torrent of genuine faith, quite powerfully presented. All in all, a nice debut. I’d be interested in seeing where Rachanee’s next direction takes her.”

Read the full article at Suite 101

Artist Profile

Wed, May. 17 2006

Rachanee
Outstanding Gospel/Christian Songwriter Nominee for the 2006 Detroit Music Awards
by Keith N. Dusenberry

Real Detroit: What are you about musically?
Rachanee: Being real about who I am and what I do or may face - while I may be a Christian artist, much of my music could cross over into the regular folk/pop/rock area. Being a Christian isn't always easy or "fun" - there's definitely heartbreak along with the joys. I believe my music should be honest and reflect that as well.

RD: Your musical background?
R: I've been playing guitar and writing songs for about three years, but I've been singing way longer than that. I've always had a love of musical theatre and participated in as many plays/musicals as possible since I was in middle and high school. In the last few years I've helped out on various worship teams, either as support or as a worship leader. Currently, I'm constantly touring with my guitar (and now, sometimes, my band!) as both a featured artist and a guest worship leader at various venues around the Midwest.

RD: Your take on Detroit's music scene?
R: I love it - there's a thriving music scene, both in secular music for singer/songwriters and for Christian artists. Both scenes are equally welcoming and ready to embrace a new artist. I've heard some amazing quality recordings/talent coming from my peers, and I think it's awesome that you don't have to look further than your own hometown to find such great talent.

RD: What's coming up for you?
R: Currently we're working on a national radio promotion campaign ... We're keeping busy in Michigan for the summer (especially with my new band), and then we're taking it on the road in the fall. A sophomore album is planned for 2007, but there are no definite dates on it yet. | RDW

Link to the article at Real Detroit Weekly

CD Review: Ordinary Girl

Sat, Jul. 31 2004

by Mark Clark, Jamrag

"...an impressive full-length debut"

Performance Review

Mon, May. 31 2004

by Denise Strong

"She has a sweet voice with honest, heart-felt lyrics. She exuded with personality in her performance and in the onstage interview."

Read the full article in the Fourth Fridays newsletter

Performance Preview

Tue, Oct. 14 2003

One Big Show: Concert offers a helping heaping of local music
by Matthew Miller, the Noise

"The Lansing singer-songwriter writes songs in a poppy folk-rock vein, music like Michelle Branch or Christian artist Jennifer Knapp, a voice that can sound like Natalie Merchant at times."

Performance Review

Fri, Aug. 29 2003

Visions Nightclub newsletter
by Matt Bennett

"...enchanting... beautiful lyrics inspired by life experience. She delivered a refreshingly honest performance, and proved delightfully witty."

Artist Profile

Wed, Aug. 13 2003

Young Musicians Find Faith in Performing
by Mike Hughes, Lansing State Journal

For the young stars of Christian music, nudges came in many ways.

One epiphany was during housework; another was after a breakup ... Here are sketches of the [the] performers:

Rachanee .... At the right time a romantic breakup can be handy. Just ask Rachanee, the singer who has concerts today and Saturday.

The first came just before she reached Michigan State University. "It was a rough breakup," she said. "That's a time when you search to find who you are."

She decided she was a Christian. A few years later, another breakup hit hard.

"I hit rock bottom," Rachanee recalled. "I was sitting in my apartment, praying and crying and listening to music. All of a sudden, I had a lot of songs I'd written."

She became a serious singer-songwriter of Christian music.

Rachanee had already impressed people as a singer and worship leader at Riverview Church. "She's a little fireball of energy," said Tiffany Ferguson, a Riverview member.

The tiny singer - "I'm 5-foot on a good day," she said - doesn't bring a traditional background. She's Thai... she grew up in Troy and was also a photographer, including free-lance work for the Lansing State Journal.

Then a mentor suggested she focus on photography or music, even flipping a coin to decide.

"She was getting ready to flip and I started sweating," Rachanee said. "The idea of giving up music was too much."

That moment, Rachanee knew what others had suspected: First and foremost, she's a singer.

For a list of Rachanee's interviews and media appearances, go here.