Genre: Pop

Rachel Lee Williams Interview with the MuzicNotez Crew

• MuzicNotez Crew: So Rachel, what motivated you to become a musician?
  • Rachel Lee Williams: I have been involved with music from a young age – piano lessons, school and church choirs, voice lessons, etc. When I sang my first solo at a school choir concert that sealed the deal and I have wanted to be a musician ever since.

• MuzicNotez Crew: How long have you been creating music? What age did you begin?
  • Rachel Lee Williams: I have been playing piano since I was eight, and began to really sing when I was 11. After that came teaching myself guitar and then composing my own songs. I remember the first song I wrote was about war. I think I was trying to come across as maybe too serious at such a young age.

• MuzicNotez Crew: You’re from the Detroit area, an area known for legendary artists of all genres. What’s the music scene like these days for you as an emerging indie artist?
  • Rachel Lee Williams: Since I’m really just starting out, I can’t say that I have been exposed to the true Detroit music scene. However, I have played at various events and venues in the metro-Detroit area. There is a true network of Detroit musicians, and all of them that I have worked with have been very encouraging and supportive.

• MuzicNotez Crew: How would you describe your music? How are you unique?
  • Rachel Lee Williams: I would describe my music as a mix of contemporary ballads and indie pop. I don’t strive to be unique but rather, genuine in my music. I write about what is affecting or inspiring me, and if it turns out to be unique then that’s awesome!

• MuzicNotez Crew: Who were your musical influences growing up that have helped mold you into the musician you are today?
  • Rachel Lee Williams: When I was really young I was into the usual pop stars. However, now I can say that my favorite artists are Carole King, Joni Mitchell, and Keith Urban. My parents love Bruce Springsteen so I grew up listening to his music as well.

• MuzicNotez Crew: Who are some people whom have helped and encouraged you along the way?
  • Rachel Lee Williams: Of course, my family and friends have helped me along the way, especially my mom, dad, and sister who have been so supportive. I am also fortunate to have a wonderful voice coach, Jennifer Kincer, who has given me so many opportunities to perform, and helped me grow as a musician and a person. She’s been a mentor and friend to me, and opened doors I never dreamed of.

• MuzicNotez Crew: What is your songwriting process like?
  • Rachel Lee Williams: For me, inspiration needs to come first. It’s really hard for me to just sit down and say “okay, I need to write a song today”. Usually when I get an idea, I’ll go up to my room, pick up my guitar, and start fitting a melody to lyrics.

• MuzicNotez Crew: You’re debut EP “Lock and Key” was produced by Detroit legends Stewart Francke and Bryan Reilly. What was that experience like? What have you learned from that experience that you will take with you in the future as an artist?
  • Rachel Lee Williams: Recording and working with Stewart and Bryan was absolutely amazing! Not only are they both incredibly talented but they’re so nice and supportive. They walked me through every step of the recording process and made sure that the final product was what I wanted and said who I was best. I learned that collaboration is a wonderful thing and that getting different ideas from other people can turn your music into something you’d never thought it’d be before.

• MuzicNotez Crew: You have contributed 2 original songs to a movie to be released later this year. That must be quite the honor! What are the songs, and how come they were specifically chosen?
  • Rachel Lee Williams: I was actually playing a set on a Saturday morning at a local coffee shop called the Dessert Oasis when the movie’s director, Sam Logan Khaleghi, came in, heard me and approached me about providing music for his film “Approaching Midnight”. I wrote a song specifically for the film, titled “Midnight”, and also contributed another one of my originals, called “Fragile”. It was a wonderful experience and I am so grateful to be a part of it.

• MuzicNotez Crew: You have had the privilege to play at the Bluebird Cafe in Nashville, a venue where artists like Garth Brooks and Taylor Swift began their careers. What was that experience like?
  • Rachel Lee Williams: Playing at the Bluebird Cafe was by far my favorite memory as a musician. I was lucky enough to have my number called to play at the singer-songwriter night in 2011. It was honestly terrifying going up on stage, and I forgot the lyrics to my song right before I went up. However, once I finally got my guitar strap on, I relaxed and played “This City”, a song I wrote about Nashville. Everyone was so talented that played that night and I felt honored to be able to share my music with all of them in such a renowned space.

• MuzicNotez Crew: Any genres of music you’d like to experiment with that you haven’t yet?
  • Rachel Lee Williams: I’m open to trying anything! I don’t want to get too far away from my current genres, just to keep my music genuine. However, I think that all music and genres have value in some way and it’d be interesting to reach out into different genres. Right now I’m actually working on a piano ballad cover of “Thrift Shop” by Macklemore and Ryan Lewis.

• MuzicNotez Crew: What plans do you have in the future?
  • Rachel Lee Williams: I plan on exploring the music field more as I go onto college. I hope to end up in Nashville at some point along the way because I love the city and the music. I feel like there is so much more that I have not been exposed to concerning the music industry and I want to experience as much as I can.

• MuzicNotez Crew: Anything else you wish to say about yourself or your music? Anything to say to your fans?
  • Rachel Lee Williams: I’d just like to thank everyone who has supported and believed in me. I’d also like to thank anyone who has come out to hear me play or bought my music. It means the world to me! I’d also like to thank MuzicNotez for interviewing me!