Rachel Price is a small town girl, with as genuine a spirit as one could come by. It’s no surprise that her music and voice denote a purity, tempered with strength that bring a unique warmth to the music she creates.

Earlier this year, Rachel released an EP that is fittingly entitled, Something New and it landed her on the road opening for The Wind and The Wave. On the heels of that, Price finishes up a headlining tour of her own. We were excited to catch up with this refreshingly down to earth talent and get to know the woman behind the music.

“Honestly, I just want to be genuine and truthful. People can tell when someone is or isn’t real, and I hope I come across as one of the real ones.” She disclosed when we asked about the kind of first impression she hopes to make on new listeners and fans. She added, “I want people to feel validation and hope and happiness when they listen to my stuff. Unless it’s a sad song. In which case, we can be sad together.”

It’s that kind of raw and real emotion that has us as enamored with Rachel Price as we are her music and talent!

The Feature Story: Let’s start with the new music, I understand your upbringing in a small town had some influence on this new EP. Can you elaborate on how growing up in small town Nebraska shaped these songs and/or your artistry?

Rachel Price: Growing up in a small town in Nebraska is a pretty unique experience, so writing about it is always fun. I have so many vivid memories from my childhood that it just feels natural to tell stories about them through my music.

TFS: For you personally, is there a track on this EP that stands out as defining the body of work? If so, which track and what is the story behind it?

RP: Lyrically, definitely “Something New.” It tells the story of me going back and visiting my hometown. The chorus sounds like it’s about a boy that I’m trying to get over, but really it’s just talking about how I will be attached to that town no matter where I go.

Listen to “Something New”

TFS: What is your writing process like? Is it more of a collaborative effort, as much of this EP seems to have been written?

RP: It changes a lot. I don’t think I ever want to get to a point where my writing process is calculated and formulaic. I love collaboration and do a lot of cowriting, but at the same time it’s very therapeutic to sit down with an instrument by yourself and just express how you’re feeling.

TFS: Earlier this year, you toured with The Wind and The Wave. How was that and what did you take away from that time that you are applying this current tour?

RP: The tour was amazing. I met a lot of great people and lifelong friends, all while seeing almost the entire country. I developed more confidence on stage that I’ll take with me for the rest of my career. I also have a deeper appreciation for people who take time to come to shows and really listen to the music. The feeling I get when someone tells me they made an emotional connection with a song or lyric is one I’ll be chasing for the rest of my life.

TFS: I understand your journey to get to where you are, making music full time, has been a bit winding. How has that shaped the growth of your artistry and music?

RP: Mostly time. I hadn’t been making music for long when I decided that this is what I wanted to do with my life. Developing your “sound” takes a long time, and I’m still figuring it out. Collaboration has been huge too. I have a great team of people around me that make my work environment comfortable enough for me to have a lot of creative freedom. I’m very thankful for that.

TFS: What musicians and artists inspire you? What’s currently in your playlist?

RP: So many. My original inspiration was Tori Kelly. She’s the reason that I started to get serious about music. I’ve been listening to a lot of RnB and funk lately. Tom Misch, Vulfpeck, Anderson Paak, Daniel Caesar, H.E.R., Sabrina Claudio, Billie Eilish, SZA, etc. I could go on and on. I’m a sucker for classic rock too.

TFS: If you could collaborate and write with anyone one, living or passed, who would you pick? Why?

RP: I would’ve loved to write a song with Glenn Frey and Don Henley. They wrote some of my favorite lyrics of all time, and just to sit in a room with either one of them would be a dream come true.

TFS: As you establish your artistry and music, what are your goals?

RP: I want to write as much as I possibly can in the near future, and continue honing my craft. Long term, I just want to make a solid living making music and sharing it with the world.

TFS: What is the first impression you hope to make as you travel and add new fans to your fanbase?

RP: Honestly, I just want to be genuine and truthful. People can tell when someone is or isn’t real, and I hope I come across as one of the real ones. I want people to feel validation and hope and happiness when they listen to my stuff. Unless it’s a sad song. In which case, we can be sad together.

TFS: What imprint do you want to leave in the music business and with fans?

RP: I would love to start writing more for other artists and expanding my reach. Again, as long as I’m being genuine and truthful in the music that I’m making. I just want people to connect to my songs. Whether that be lyrically or musically, just feel something from them.