Artist description An Australian, piano-playing singer-songwriter who combines catchy melodies, evocative piano, funky Rhodes, gorgeous vocals and searching lyrics ... finely-crafted pop songs infused with lush acoustic textures and poetic grace.

Music Style Finely-crafted and catchy pop with a soft poetic edge

Musical Influences Joni Mitchell, Elvis Costello, Suzanne Vega, Sarah McLachlan, Shawn Colvin, Rickie Lee Jones, Van Morrison, Debussy, Bach, Granados amongst many others

Similar Artists Sarah McLachlan, Heather Nova, Paula Cole, Rickie Lee-Jones.

Artist History With a keenly observing eye, Rachel Gaudry’s music is at once strong and subtle, complex and down-to-earth, delivering a fine balance between soulful lyrics and catchy melodies. Born in Canberra Australia the youngest of nine, Rachel started playing piano at the age of six. At 11, she won a music scholarship to a boarding school in rural New South Wales. At 17, she lived in Albi France for a year then backpacked through Europe, before heading back to Australia to study jazz performance at the Canberra School of Music. An avid listener, Rachel grew up influenced by many styles of music but predominantly classical piano (Debussy, Bach, Granados are some favourite composers), musicals (Godspell, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat amongst others - she also performed in productions of these), soft pop artists like Cyndi Lauper, Howard Jones and Prince and her older sibling's records which included artists like Cat Stevens, The Beatles, Everything But The Girl, The Police, Eurythmics, Nick Drake and Neil Young. In her late teens Rachel developed a particular affinity for the intensely personal styles of artists like Joni Mitchell, Rickie Lee Jones, Suzanne Vega, Van Morrison and Elvis Costello. Inspired, she started performing her own songs when whe moved to Sydney in 1995. Meanwhile she was singing in various jazz bands, but eventually went back to her piano roots playing solo piano bar gigs. In 1999 Rachel met drummer extraordinaire Chad Wackerman and they began work on her debut album ‘Leaving Traces’, with Chad stepping in as producer (he also plays on the record). The album is a collection of lovingly crafted pop songs infused with lush acoustic textures and a soft poetic edge. Rachel's music has also been included on CD compilations ‘Starstruck’ (BMG Australia 2001), 'Bloomers' (Warner Music Australia 1998) and ‘Songsalive! ‘98’ (Indigo Moon Music 1998). Rachel has won several prizes for her music and songwriting including a songwriting travel grant in the Johnny Dennis Music Awards and an Australia Arts Council International Pathways grant. She has travelled to several countries to perform her own music including Hong Kong, USA, Canada and Japan. Rachel recently completed a solo promotional tour of Canada and the USA. Along the way, she played alongside some other great artists including Kurt Swinghammer, Jenny Whitely, Andrea Florian, Tory Cassis, Jory Nash, Emm Gryner, Neilson Hubbard, Jenny Bruce, Karen Jacobsen and Gilli Moon (you can find most of their cds on cdbaby.com too). Find out more about Rachel at her web site www.rachelgaudry.com.

Instruments vocals, piano, Rhodes, guitar.

Albums Debut album "Leaving Traces" available now from www.cdbaby.com/gaudry or www.chaosmusic.com. Rachel's songs also featured on compilations "Starstruck Highlights", (2001 BMG Australia); "Songsalive! '98" (1998 Indigo Moon Music); and "Bloomers One" (1998 Warner Music Australia).

Press Reviews 'The music she's making is the equal of any of the intelligent, articulate young women currently on the international landscape, from Sarah McLachlan to Heather Nova to Ani DiFranco .... A solid example of what Rachel is all about is here with her beautiful debut, 'Leaving Traces' - Michael Smith, DRUM MEDIA, 29 May 2001. 'Crystal-voiced singer-songwriter-pianist Rachel Gaudry sets herself up as Canberra's answer to Tori Amos, spinning poetic ballads with quirky choruses; - Clare Barker, ROLLING STONE, June 2001. 'Looking for an underexposed Aussie version of white-hot English singer Dido? Look no further than former classical pianist turned singer/songwriter Rachel Gaudry. The Sydney-sider possesses a clear, angelic voice and a swag of great folk/pop tunes.'- Pip Harry, NW MAGAZINE, March 12 2001.'The many musical facets of this record will surely be heard far and wide on radio stations around the world very soon. Rachel is a vault of influence and experience and 'Leaving Traces' as good a feel-good album as they come' - PG (Jacky) Gleeson, SOUND REVIEWS, January 2001.'angelic voice and grace' - Karla Blume, LA TIMES, November 1999.'a passionate singer-songwriter whose magnificent voice echoes over her gifted piano playing' - CMJ MUSIC MARATHON FESTIVAL GUIDE, New York City, September 1999.'The songs she performed oozed sophistication, emotion and maturity, something seldom heard these days and she wrote them herself' - STEVE CLARK, songwriter, bassplayer ex-Died Pretty, August 1999.'News filters through that Rachel Gaudry's song has just been played on another station.'- Susan Skelly, HQ MAGAZINE, Nov/Dec 1998.'a voice to die for' - Demetrius Romeo, UTTER, August 1996.

Location Sydney, NSW - Australia

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