Artist Spotlight - Rachel Cole

Rachel Cole’s debut single “Somewhere Close to Here” showcases a rapidly rising songwriter in peak form. The recent signee to Todd Snider’s Aimless Records recently debuted the sharp new tune along with others at the Americana Music Festival in Nashville.

“My first Americana Fest was an incredible and symbiotic experience,” Cole says. “I had the great pleasure of opening for Aaron Lee Tasjan and Kevn Kinney and performed my first showcasing set at Todd Snider’s the Purple Building where my album was recorded.”

Alt-Country Specialty Chart: Explain how you hooked up with Todd and Aimless.

Rachel Cole: I was first introduced to Todd personally at his studio the Purple Building in East Nashville during (Nashville-based) Tomato Fest of 2022. I was invited to play a few tracks for Todd at the fest and he was immediately drawn to my material. As I was playing my set, I noticed him peering through my notebook to get a glimpse of my lyrics. He was quick to express desire to be involved in the album's process and was the guiding force behind the entire recording process of the album.

Explain how Todd has helped shape you as a songwriter. 

I am so grateful for Todd’s friendship and mentorship. The past few years have brought us close and has allowed us to hone in on a dream that he has undoubtedly guided me to. I have him to thank for so much and look up to his own process greatly as it helps me form what mine becomes.

Talk about other songwriters you draw from.

There are so many incredible songwriters out there! Of course, I take great influence from Todd, but also we talk a lot about the greats: John Prine, Willis Alan Ramsey, Judee Sill and Danny O'Keefe to name a few. There are also some fantastic newer artists coming out of Texas. Vince Neil Emerson is one I really love lately.

Tell the story behind writing the new single. 

My debut single “Somewhere Close to Here” is a tune that I wrote about an end of summer heartache and the trials of knowing when to let go. It’s one of the only songs I have ever written all at once and is a great joy to play live. 

This is probably my personal favorite off the upcoming album. Unlike a lot of the tracks, this one has an upbeat feel that plays on the rather lonesome theme that the album has taken on.

- Brian T. Atkinson