Tour Dates
News
Serenade and Lemonade, Sad Songs and more!
Hey friends,
I just wanted to take a minute to say a big thank you for picking up my new record, Rachel Brooke Sings Sad Songs. This record is a special one for me, and I've had mixed emotions about it's release. It almost felt a little like hangxiety. That feeling of “what did I say last night? or "I overshared!" - It is just a very personal, intimate release and one that I didn't spend much time scrutinizing, like I usually do. But honestly, I think that is what makes it special, and I'm glad that you all have been digging it as well. If you haven’t grabbed a copy yet—good news! I still have a few left in my store, so it’s not too late. I also want to say thanks for all the streams, shares, and messages about it this past month. It made me feel good to hear it.
Speaking of good things - I wanted to invite you to check out my Patreon if you haven’t yet! You can join for free, or choose a subscription tier that works for you. There’s even an option to pay annually if that’s more your style. I’ve got lots of cool stuff going on over there, including exclusive music, behind-the-scenes peeks, and now…The Vinyl Club! The “Vinyl Club” is basically access to exclusive releases, and even joining for free gives you access to it. It's not meant to gate keep, or exclude anyone, it's just a special little release series that is open to anyone who wants to join. But as always, NO PRESSURE! :)
This Friday (tomorrow) I’m releasing the first ever Vinyl Club record: Serenade and Lemonade—a SUPER limited 7” with four demo versions of songs I’ve shared, and talked about on Patreon these last few months:
• The Pilot
• Away I Do Ride
• The Only One
• The One Who Got Away
Only 50 copies will be available, and they’ll be $30 + shipping. It goes live this Friday at midnight, and will ship out about a week later. Anyone who joins my Patreon (even for free) is in the Vinyl Club and gets access to purchasing these special releases. Some tiers will even get the records automatically sent their way. I’m excited to see where this little club goes, and thanks to everyone who has already joined. Patreon has already made a huge impact on my art, my output and my connection with you all.
And lastly, I want to say thank you—whether you support me through Patreon, this mailing list, or social media—I appreciate it all so much. Being an independent artist these days is not for the weak hearted. It's constant adapting, perpetual doubt, and finding meaning - a struggle everyday. But having you here makes it all a little easier. so THANK YOU!
annd I’ve got some summer shows in the works, and a couple more full-length records on the horizon too. Stay tunnnnneeedd!!!
Big announcement...
Ok, well I have a kind of a big announcement I'd like to share..First, I’d like to say how much I appreciate your support over the years. Some of you have been following me for over 20 years. And some of you have just recently found me, and I’m just as thankful because that means that my music is still reaching and resonating with new people. Thank you for coming along for the ride, supporting my work, coming to my shows, buying my records, and just being a good friend. I don’t really know if I could do it without you.
As an independent artist, I’ve had to wear many hats, (not just the cowboy ones). I’m not just a singer/songwriter. I’m a performer, producer, promoter, live sound engineer, record label, manager, graphic designer, website designer, and photographer. I’ve learned about booking, accounting, logistics, recording, social media management, inventory management, record release strategies, and I’m constantly inquiring and learning how to adapt in a volatile, unpredictable, oversaturated industry. I’m not complaining - I love it. To me, there is nothing better than learning new ideas and techniques, getting better at my craft, and becoming more and more self-sufficient in the process. I’ve survived this business so far, and I don’t plan on quitting anytime soon.
But honestly, things are weird. I think we all feel it. Everyone is at the same time connected to the world but disconnected from each other. We are inundated and overwhelmed by information, a lot of it meaningless, unsure if what we are seeing is real, AI, authentic or factual. As an artist, we are equally distracted and buried by an oversaturation of “content”. And it can be extremely hard to break through and reach the people who truly want to hear your work, and even harder to maintain meaningful connections with listeners.
The reality is that the state of the music industry has changed greatly in the last 5 years. It’s harder than ever to be an independent artist, as the streaming model just doesn’t compensate artists fairly. The big social media sites just don’t work anymore, and your work is valued by meaningless numbers. Metrics. The Almighty Algorithm. And unless you can feed this machine, your work will go unnoticed. It’s “pay to play” now and unfortunately, all artists are struggling - wondering if it’s possible, or even worth it to continue.
Soooo I’m very excited to finally share that I’ve decided to take more control over my work, my reach, and my career, by launching a Patreon account . And I’m inviting you to check it out, and consider becoming a patron of my art and music.
I’ve recently made some important realizations about what truly matters to me as an artist. I'm starting a Patreon account to take a deeper step into building a genuine community with those who truly value my music and the art I create. I want to take a step back from the noise, and connect with the folks that genuinely love and support my work – without the constant obstacles and roadblocks of social media. I’ve always cherished the relationships I’ve built throughout my career, and I'm hoping to re-establish the personal connection that I’ve cherished so much.
If you follow the link, you can initially join for free. There are other subscription tiers as well, and through those, you’ll be able to directly support my work- from the conception of songs and new ideas to the finished product. My goals with Patreon are fairly simple: I want to write more. I want to record more. I want to fund my upcoming records and promotional campaigns giving them a fighting chance in the world. But above all, my passion is songwriting: developing, honing my skills, exploring, and becoming a better writer every day. I want to grow my career in songwriting by creating more space and time to write songs for myself, and for other artists. To me, it truly is all about the song. Songs are what connect us and unite us as people. As artists, we are not here to save the world, we are just here to interpret it. We’re here to create something out of nothing – we are conduits of some kind of divine energy, awake to the smallest pieces of inspiration that the majority cannot see. We create the light, the wavelengths that you can hold onto.
To be transparent, I’ve struggled with the idea of starting a Patreon for years. I opened the account over seven years ago, and it’s just been sitting there dormant and unfinished. I’ve often wondered if I’m heard and valued in this industry, or if anyone is listening. Because honestly in this distracted, noisy, scary world It really is just so hard to tell, and I’ve been hesitant to prove those negative thoughts right.
But one thing that I don’t doubt is my work. I don’t doubt my contributions to country music. I know what I create is important, valuable, and different - even if no one is listening. It’s taken me a long time to admit that, but after working for over 25 years in your craft, you do become good at it. That’s why I’ve decided to pull the trigger, and invite you to become a patron of my music.
In return for your support, I’ll also be offering some cool perks and incentives to my patrons. In addition to fostering a community, member only chats and interactions, I’ll be offering exclusive content. Whether that be new songs, old songs and demos, personal poems, early access to new music and news, behind-the-scenes content, or exclusive merch, I’m very committed to making this account equally valuable to you, as it is for me. But more than that, I want you to know that every bit of support, no matter how big or small, is is incredibly impactful to my career, and you will receive my eternal gratitude for helping me to continue my work as an artist.
Without you, I wouldn’t be here. I wouldn’t have a career. I probably wouldn’t have released my records, sang hundreds of songs over and over, traveled the world sharing my work, meeting all the people who I very often nostalgically and lovingly remember. Thank you for being a part of my life and career, BELIEVING IN ME, giving me hope, and THANK YOU for considering taking this next step with me. I promise I won’t let you down.
I also think it's important that you know, that this will not be a replacement for touring and live events. I still have upcoming shows, and tours in the works. This is also not intended as an alternative to social media. Even though you might not see my posts, things will be business as usual on my social media accounts. I’ll still be posting updates, announcement, photos, and videos there, but I’ll be using this platform as a better way to connect with the people who value my work.
Rachel Brooke Sings Sad Songs -New Record
Good news for the sad sacks or the sorrowfully inclined…
As some of you know, I have been on somewhat of a writing spree these last couple years, and really I’d rather do that than most other aspects of being of an independent artist. But now I have three (!!!) new records that I’m getting ready for release. I’m excited to announce that the first of these three records will be released March 28, 2025
This is the record I never really intended to make. 2024 has been one of the toughest years for me in a very long time. I can’t really put my finger on it, but I think I’m just sick of pretending. Pretending that everything’s ok in the world, and pretending that I’ll get any sense of meaning, real happiness or satisfaction from external forces, achievements, expectations, accomplishments (or the illusion of them) and just facing all that head on.. I fell into a pretty major existential depressive episode - I’ve let a lot of great opportunities slide out of my grasp, I’ve ignored people’s emails and offers, I’ve lost friendships, and relationships with people who “could have helped me”. It took everything I had to make it out to shows this year to perform. But as some of you know, there is no way out when you’re suffering from depression and no one can “help you”. At least it seems that way. But this past fall I decided to try and get through it the best way I knew, which was to disappear into my basement and create. No one around, no men trying to give me any unsolicited advice, no one “helping” me. Just me, doing it alone like I always have. And through this, I found my own way out.
Now, This album probably isn’t gonna get any spins on the charts. (Don’t have the money for that) this album probably won’t be added to some great Spotify playlist (I don’t kiss the right ass enough 💋 ) and this album most likely won’t be written up about (it ain’t honky tonkin’ enough for that) but this record is, unapologetically real. Just me and my guitar, singing sad songs the way they were meant to be sung. I’m still not sure if releasing a sad songs record in the middle of this booming honky tonk culture is the right move but, I’ll stand by it either way. I’ve come to be proud of this record - I lost myself, lost my mind, etc but this record brought me back home.
So, If you’re interested in hearing what I have to say, stay tuned for the limited vinyl pre-order and pre-save links …more info specifically about the songs, the recording process, the songwriters, and release info coming soon.
The Only One Is Out now!
Thanks to everyone who has streamed or downloaded, The Only One! If you haven't heard it yet, head on over to your preferred platform and check it out!
Super cool news, Wide Open Country premiered the video for The Only One! Check out the write up and video here
Pre-Save The Only One
The Only One drops on March 1st!
The pre-save is up here where you can get it as soon as it comes out. :)
The Only One is the first single in a series of 2024 singles and 7" releases dropping this year, leading up to a NEW record! Super excited about releasing a bunch of new music, getting all these songs out into the world.
Thank you all for helping out with the pre-save, and stay tuned for a new video release with it, coming sooon!
New Single March 1st!
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I'm super excited to announce the FIRST SINGLE from an upcoming 7” vinyl release !
The Only One will be available to stream and download on March 1! Be sure to follow me on Spotify, and Bandcamp, or wherever you listen to music these days, because I’ll be dropping some brand new digital singles, and a couple 7” releases throughout the year..plus gearing up for a new record tooooo!
I know it’s been a little while but I have soooo manyyyyy new songs and I cannot wait to share them with you all. Stay tuned for more information about a VERY limited vinyl pre-order, pre-save links, music videos and all that.
Also, incase you missed it, The Honky Tonk times issue 23 is out now! It features some of my new poems, plus a TON of other great coverage in country music. Subscribe here
I'll be announcing some new tour and festival dates soon, but until then, I'll be down at the Ameripolitan Awards in Austin Texas in TWO WEEKS! I will be playing a few showcases while I'm there, so be sure to keep and eye out for that too.
See you soon.. |
September Dates!
Tour Dates and New Merch
Yeehaw! We are heading back out on Friday!
We will be sharing a few dates with Emily Nenni , you DO NOT want to miss these shows. As always, I'll be trying out some new ones, and I'll have some more new merch at the table, (orrr…check out the new merch available on my website!)
9/8 Duke's Indy w/Emily Nenni
9/9 Bell's Eccentric Cafe w/ Emily Nenni
9/10 Carol's Pub w/ Emily Nenni
9/12 People's Brewing Company & Taproom , Lafayette IN
Americanafest!
9/22 Acme Feed & Seed The California Country Show
9/23 Standard Hat Works Atomic Music Group
9/29 Tip Top Deluxe Bar & Grill , Grand Rapids MI
9/30 The Colony Inn, Bishop Hill, IL
10/1 Honkytonktoberfest , At Fitzgeralds with Wild Earp Michelle Billingsley Music and more!
See ya out there!
Check out the new Merch
use code *rattlesnake* for 10% off everything
click here
Tour Starts Today!
Yeeehaw!
Incase you missed it, we are heading out on the road this Friday!
I'll have some brand new merch, and of course I'll be singing some new songs out there.
Hope to see you out there!
August Tour Dates
I’ve laid around and played around this old town too long. I feel like I’ve gotta travel on.
Yeehaww! Super excited to announce this string of tour dates in August! I’ll be singing some new songs, and I’ll have some brand new merch out there too. Come on and be the first to get it.
8.5 Bloomington, IL: Nightshop
8.6 Galva, IL, Levitt Series, Wiley Park
8.8 Cleveland, OH: Beachland Tavern
8.10 TBA *** (announcing soon)
8.11 Charleston, WV: The Empty Glass
8.15 Newport, KY: Southgate House
8.16 Hamtramck, MI: Kelly's Bar
For more information/tickets/etc
