Drawing on the influences of folk, soul, rock, blues, and country music in her life, Rachel Lee Walsh creates songs that are beautiful, dramatic, and moving. With just her guitar and a big soulful voice, she delivers powerful songs about a variety of interesting characters. In “Oh Lord” she writes from the standpoint of a man down on his luck from the ravages of a hurricane. In “She’s Not Waiting” she writes about a tattooed and tough NYC female bike messenger who serves as an inspiration for living fearlessly. In “Elizabeth Dawn” she writes from the voice of a young girl figuring out what family she can depend on. She even throws in a love song occasionally, such as “Please Come to Brooklyn” which was the winner of the Brooklyn Anthem Bash in 2011.
Although Rachel has lived in NY much of her adult life and calls it her home, her childhood growing up in the south is reflected in her music. She is strongly influenced by American songwriters such as Patty Griffin, Gillian Welch, Amos Lee, Mary Gauthier, and Lucinda Williams. She sometimes shares the stage with her back-up band, which has been known to include such instruments as violin, drums, electric guitar, upright bass, and pedal steel. New York City venues that have been on her calendar include Arlene’s Grocery, Pete’s Candy Store, The Knitting Factory Brooklyn, Public Assembly, Superfine, 68 Jay Street, Jalopy Theater, and Banjo Jim’s
Rachel attended the New School for Jazz and Contemporary Music and also Hunter College in New York City where she received her Bachelor’s degree in Music Performance. She has released two EP’s entitled “Peasant Stock and Trash” and “She’s Not Waiting”. She is currently working on a new full-length CD, playing shows in New York and surrounding states, and planning a small European tour through Germany, Belgium, and Amsterdam for 2012 with co-conspirators Sonya Heller and Pantera Saint-Montaigne.

Instrumentation
Solo shows are just Rachel and her acoustic guitar. Shows with her band include an electric guitarist/pedal steel player and an upright bass player, forming a trio.

Discography
2004 Self-released solo EP, “Peasant Stock and Trash”
2009 Self-released solo EP, “She’s Not Waiting”

HeyBrooklyn.com-Podcast Interview, Episode #24, 2009
Women’sRadio.com-rotation “She’s Not Waiting” 2009
Women’sRadio.com-rotation “Please Come to Brooklyn” 2009
WomenofSubstance.com-rotation “Please Come to Brooklyn” 2009
WomenofSubstance.com-rotation “She’s Not Waiting” 2010