Happy New Year!
It’s time again for letting go of the old and birthing the new. I am happy to FINALLY announce the official release of my third album, Rabbit in the Road, March 3rd on NewSong Recordings. It has been a long road; one marked by gigantic growth spurts.
For the past year and a half, I have toured the country sharing this new work from the stage. I have the most beautiful memories of teary faces and post-show conversations about grief and parenthood and bravery. What an honor it’s been to share those moments with you.
If you haven't yet picked up a copy at one of my live performances, I’d like to invite you to pre-order the album and receive an immediate download of the single “Deep Bruises” by visiting http://bit.ly/RK-RitR-NSR.
Just today, the publicity team sent out the first round of announcements to some notable print and radio contacts. I am hopeful – with the help of NewSong Recordings, Terrorbird Publicity and folks like you – that these songs will make their way to a host of new listeners who will make good use of them.
I will be touring with the album again this late winter and early spring - (www.rachaelkilgour.com/tour) - please let me know if you have any performance opportunities in mind! In the meantime, I'm happily settling in at my new home in Minneapolis, MN. New adventures for a new year!
Thank you for your support,
Rachael
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Rabbit in the Road is the third, soon-to-be-released album from Rachael Kilgour, the 2015 grand prize winner of the esteemed international NewSong Music Performance & Songwriting Competition. It was produced by Catie Curtis, engineered by Crit Harmon and mixed by Gar Ragland at Echo Mountain Recording Studios in Asheville, NC.
A study in the complexities of grief and transformation, the album takes an intimate and often painful look at a failed marriage and the loss of family. Kilgour’s writing and delivery cut deep, with resolute simplicity. Sorrow, rage, resilience and compassion exist side by side within a series of honest and memorable melodies. The collection of work stands tall on a foundation of vulnerability and opens the door to moments of profound connection.
“While I have always felt a strong pull to address social injustices from the stage, this new collection of work requires something new of me,” Kilgour shared. “I feel called to use my platform to address emotion and grief and forgiveness in a way that is not often done in our culture.”
Though the album was instigated by a particular moment in her life, each track explores a different aspect of Kilgour’s emotional journey:
“I was taught from a young age that a person’s hurtful behavior is almost always a sign of inner pain and not a reflection of your self-worth. The second track on the album, ‘Deep Bruises’, was my attempt to put that belief into practice under the most difficult circumstances.”
Later, in “Ready Freddie”, Kilgour professes her unconditional love and confidence in her step-daughter as she steps into adolescence:
“I know you can take it
I believe that you will make it
On your own somehow
Maybe not right now
But I can see you’re almost ready
Do you think you’re ready Freddie?
Say it right out loud
You’re gonna make me proud”
Finally, in the title track, Kilgour examines the dualities of forgiveness. As is true of the album in its entirety, the detailed examination of Kilgour’s relationships and emotions is surprisingly universal:
“With your hands around his neck
You spared his misery
How swift you gave that rabbit
What you couldn’t give to me”
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"Rachael Kilgour is fearless in portraying her personal life in song, yet that very intimacy and vulnerability creates art that anyone can identify with." - John Platt WFUV Radio
"Kilgour is the real deal - a modern troubadour confronting raw truths with a powerful voice and passionate, socially conscious songs that will move anyone who still believes that music can – and should – change the world.” - ASCAP Playback