Our new interview w/ Rachael Yamagata

I had the chance recently to sit down with Rachael Yamagata at a tour stop in Brussels, where we went over her new double LP, Elephants...Teeth Sinking Into Heart, expectations for the new disc, and what caused the long 4 year break between albums. Check it out below.

Rachael Yamagata live @ Johnny Brenda's- Philly 9/24

For fans of Rachael Yamagata the anticipation has been building for quite some time now, ever since news of her long awaited new album was announced. So it's no wonder that at Johnny Brenda's last night in Philadelphia that the pre-show atmosphere quickly turned into a swelling of chants waiting for Rachael to take the stage (to see the photo gallery from the show click here). Yamagata opened the set with a rare treat of "Collide" off her 2003 EP and then launched straight into the popular "Be Be Your Love", which as soon as she began playing had the crowd going nuts at least a full minute into the song. From there on out Rachael mixed in songs both off of her brilliant debut LP Happenstance and her new Elephants...Teeth Sinking Into Heart. Older tracks "Letter Read" and "Worn Me Down" were highlights as were the heavier tracks "Faster" and "Sidedish Friend" off of the new disc, which showcased her band of Jason Kanakis(guitar), Justin Saunders(Cello), Jon Flaugher(Bass), Chris Giraldi(Drums), and the opener Kevin Devine sitting in on guitar most of the set.

In between songs Yamagata was candid with the crowd, chatting on topics ranging from her difficulty in switching labels, to relationships and drinking. Towards the end of the set the festive night took another turn, as the band along with the crowd serenaded Rachael with a happy birthday champage toast. Back to the music, the intimate new track "Elephants" was also a standout with just Yamagata and her piano commanding the stage, while the tender "Sunday Afternoon" closed things out before an encore of the heartbreaking "Reason Why".

Rachael's new album doesn't come out until Oct. 7th, in the meantime you can preview new tracks over at RachaelYamagata.com

story and photo's contributed by: Robert Proffe

New video: Rachael Yamagata- "Elephants"

Rachael Yamagata, who's new two part album Elephants ... Teeth Sinking Into Heart hits stores on Oct. 7th, has just released a new video for the albums haunting first track, "Elephants". The video was shot at the Salton Sea in California by Paul Brown of Bau-Da, who has done videos for everyone from Paul Simon to Death Cab For Cutie.
Preceding the albums release Rachael will be out on the road showcasing the new tunes, while later on in the month of October Yamagata will be joining the singer/songwriter showcase, the Hotel Cafe Tour. To check all the dates you can head over to Rachael's myspace.

Rachael Yamagata- "Elephants":

Rachael Yamagata- new album teaser

If your a regular reader of BTB, you probably know how much were looking forward to the new album A Record in Two Parts: Elephants...Teeth Sinking into Heart from Rachael Yamagata. The much delayed but much anticipated new disc will be out on October 7th and a few weeks back we previewed the new tracks "Elephants" and "Sidedish Friend", both of which are now streaming on her myspace. Leading up to the albums release, Rachael has begun to put out a series of behind the scenes making of style videos, the first of which you can catch here, which highlights another new track "Faster".
Prior to the albums release Rachael will begin her tour on Sept. 20th in Asbury Park N.J., which will then lead into dates with the 'Hotel Cafe' tour later in October.

To check all the dates & info you can visit RachaelYamagata.com.

new Hotel Cafe fall tour- announces all female line-up

The Hotel Cafe Tour, which is the singer/songwiter showcase that was born from the venue of the same name in L.A., has come out with their new fall line-up that will be hitting the road this fall. It will be an all female affair this time around, and will feature a rotating cast of artists including: Jaymay, Meiko, Priscilla Ahn, Rachael Yamagata, Thao Nguyen, Ingrid Michaelson, Katie Herzig, Samantha Crain, Kate Havnevik, Brooke Fraser, Alice Russell, Erin McCarley, Jenny Owen Youngs, Lenka, Emliy Wells, Anya Marina, Holly Conlan, KaiserCartel, and Catherine Feeny. Things gets started on Oct 9th in Santa Barbara, but to check out which line-up will be appearing in your area be sure to check with your local venue to see who will be on the bill.

Hotel Cafe Tour dates:

Oct 9 2008 SoHo Restaurant Santa Barbara, California
Oct 10 2008 Hotel Cafe Los Angeles, California
Oct 11 2008 House of Blues Anaheim, California
Oct 13 2008 Belly Up Solana Beach, California
Oct 14 2008 Martini Ranch Phoenix, Arizona
Oct 16 2008 House of Blues Dallas, Texas
Oct 17 2008 The Parish Room Austin, Texas
Oct 18 2008 Meridian Red Room Houston, Texas
Oct 20 2008 Work/Play Birmingham
Oct 21 2008 Exit/In Nashville, Tennessee
Oct 22 2008 Variety Playhouse Atlanta, Georgia
Oct 23 2008 Common Grounds Gainesville, Florida
Oct 25 2008 Social Orlando, Florida
Oct 27 2008 Cat’s Cradle Chapel Hill, North Carolina
Oct 28 2008 9:30 Club D.C., Washington DC
Oct 29 2008 World Cafe Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Oct 30 2008 Bowery Ballroom New York, New York
Oct 31 2008 Paradise Club Boston, Massachusetts
Nov 1 2008 Music Hall of Williamsburg Brooklyn, New York
Nov 3 2008 Bogart’s Front Room Cincinnati, Ohio
Nov 5 2008 Park West Chicago, Illinois
Nov 6 2008 The Varsity Minneapolis, Minnesota
Nov 7 2008 High Noon Madison, Wisconsin
Nov 8 2008 Blueberry Hill St. Louis, Missouri
Nov 9 2008 Liberty Hall Lawrence, Kansas
Nov 11 2008 Bluebird Denver, Colorado
Nov 12 2008 Avalon Theater Salt Lake City, Utah
Nov 13 2008 Knitting Factory Concert House Boise, Idaho
Nov 14 2008 Doug Fir Portland, Oregon
Nov 15 2008 Chop Suey Seattle, Washington
Nov 17 2008 Great America Music Hall San Francisco, California
Nov 18 2008 Henry Fonda Theater Los Angeles, California

visit the Hotel Cafe tour on myspace, where you can to get up to date with all the artists that are featured on their page.

Rachael Yamagata album & tour news + stream two new tracks

Rachael Yamagata is finally close to releasing her long awaited sophomore effort, A Record in Two Parts: Elephants…Teeth Sinking Into Heart on October 7th. The album sees two different and contrasting sets of works, the first of which, 'Elephants', is supposed to be the more melancholy and darker of the two. The second part of the album 'Teeth Sinking Into Heart' will be the grittier and more guitar-driven affair. Rachael will be heading out on the road starting Sept. 20th previewing the new material leading up to the albums release.

stream "Elephants"stream "Sidedish Friend"


Elephants Tracklist:
1. Elephants
2. What If I Leave
3. Little Life
4. Sunday Afternoon
5. Elephants Instrumental
6. Duet
7. Over and Over
8. Brown Eyes
9. Horizon

Teeth Sinking Into Heart Tracklist:
1. Sidedish Friend
2. Accident
3. Faster
4. Pause The Tragic Ending
5. Don't

RACHAEL YAMAGATA Tour Dates:
September 20 - Asbury Park, NJ - The Wonder Bar
September 21 - Pittsburgh, PA - Diesel
September 22 - Washington DC - Birchmere
September 24 - Philadelphia - Johnny Brenda's
September 25 - New York, NY - Joe's Pub (two shows)
September 29 - Boston, MA - Café 939 @ Berklee College of Music
October 1 - Chicago, IL - Lakeshore
October 2 - Minneapolis, MN - Fine Line
October 4 - Seattle, WA - Chop Suey
October 5 - Portland, OR - Wonder Ballroom
October 6 - San Francisco, CA - Café Du Nord
October 7 - Los Angeles, CA - Largo at the Coronet

Rachael Yamagata- new label... up next new album

After nearly four years since her last work and apparently lot's of label troubles, Rachael Yamagata say's that she is very close to having a new album out in the fall. The new album will be the follow up to 2004's Happenstance, and was supposed to be released nearly a year ago, but has since gone quiet with legal tangling going on behind the scenes.

Rachael explains on a new blog post on her Myspace ..."I’ve just signed with Warner Bros Records and we are working overtime to get all ducks in a row for an early October release! Thank you for hanging with me all this time – it’s been a long road of red tape trails, but I’m very excited about the new team of peeps and I can finally say that we are on our way!"

She goes on to say ...."I am pleased to announce as well a little something available for your listening pleasure – an ep. The L Word was kind enough to premiere one of the songs a few weeks back (The Other Side). We heard you were looking, and lord knows you’ve been waiting for a record, so while I work on getting that out, I’ve put three songs up to tide you over."

The three song EP is available for purchase on her website.

Rachael Yamagata - says "hang tight" on new album

For fans waiting on the much anticipated and much delayed new release from Rachael Yamagata, word from Rachael is to "hang tight" ... it's coming. It's been 4 years now since her last album Happenstance & well over a year since her new sophomore effort was supposed to have been released.

From Rachael's new blog on her myspace:
"I can't even begin to go into where I've been or what I've been doing mostly because it's all blurred in my mind. It has been two years of dramatic change and I'm 'in the flow' as they say so it's hard for me to know what will come next. I DO have a record for you. I AM going to get it to you. All the other details are boring so at the risk of seeming the boy who cried wolf, hang tight"

For those looking to catch some new material from Rachael she is currently on tour w/Sara Bareilles on the following dates.

Apr 14 Pabst Theatre Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Apr 15 Fine Line Minneapolis, Minnesota
Apr 17 House of Blues Chicago, Illinois
Apr 18 Bellarmine College Louisville, Kentucky
Apr 20 Opera House Toronto
Apr 22 Paradise Boston, Massachusetts
Apr 23 Irving Plaza New York, New York
Apr 24 TLA Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Apr 28 9:30 Club Washington DC, Washington DC
Apr 29 Neighborhood Theatre Charlotte, North Carolina
Apr 30 Variety Atlanta, Georgia

Here's the sneak peak of her long awaited new album that has been posted on her website for quite some time now.