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By Kelly Dunn
I am speaking today with Rachael Warwick in London , England . We met over a year ago in Nashville. I knew then what everyone now is beginning to see, a real singer-songwriter coming into her own. Rachael agreed to talk to me after she had recorded her latest cd. She has just returned to London from a short tour of Europe . In between tours she's been flying into Nashville to record her latest cd, “Anglo-American” with producer Mark Moffatt. She is a big name artist in Europe . Rachael will coming soon to the shores of America to share with us her brand of Euro-Country. She speaks with a British accent but you wouldn't know it when she sings. I asked her what she was wearing today. She say's she wearing a pair of blue jeans with an black old t-shirt with an American flag on the front. She's barefoot today! So after some small talk we began out chat.
Kelly Dunn: Is Country music big in England ?
Rachael Warwick: It use to be quite traditional. You know, like your mom and dad's type artist you heard on the radio while growing up. Now it's more Keith Urban, Toby Keith and a younger audience. The cross-over hits. I have to say that the Country music festivals here are fantastic too, although not as big as some in the States.
Kelly Dunn: People expect it to more Dolly Parton, Willie Nelson…
Rachael Warwick: Exactly! But times are changing and it's geared towards younger artists now, which is good!
Kelly Dunn: What was it that attracted you to Nashville …
Rachael Warwick: The first time I came over on holiday with my dad, we loved it! The quality of musicianship here is much higher in terms of Country music. After the first trip I knew I had to get over here record my music.
Kelly Dunn: When did you start performing?
Rachael Warwick: I was 13 and I sang a lot of karaoke. I then started searching for musicians over here to start a band.
Kelly Dunn: I love your video for the song, “Mistake”. It's very moody and sexy.
Rachael Warwick: Thanks! It was shot early in the morning on a beach in England on a cold, misty morning. But I think it captured the feeling and mood, don't you?
Kelly Dunn: Yes, you look great! Do people tell you that you look a lot like Angelina Jolie ?
Rachael Warwick: People say that a lot. That a good compliment… I think! (laughter)
Kelly Dunn: Yes, a very good compliment!
Kelly Dunn: When did your songwriting begin.
Rachael Warwick: I started writing when my best friend died. She died in a car crash. We were best friends. We sang together, she couldn't sing that well but we just enjoyed every moment so much. The song actually started out as a poem but turned into a song.
Kelly Dunn: What was the name of the song?
Rachael Warwick: “Kate's Song”. After that I just kept writing. You know, I've tried to record that song so many times but I can't get it to sound like I want it to in my head. One day I'll record it the way I hear it in my head! I really miss her….
Kelly Dunn: What was your first band?
Rachael Warwick: It was a punk, pop band. We were called, “The Hype”. We were offered a record deal but it didn't happen. The agent wanted me to lose a ton of weight. I refused so the deal fell apart.
Kelly Dunn: Good for you! I like girls with a little meat on their bones!
Kelly Dunn: What Country songs did you listen to growing up…
Rachael Warwick: Dolly Parton, Elvis, Willie Nelson, all the classic artist you hear on the radio.
Kelly Dunn: Did you come from a musical family?
Rachael Warwick: No, but my dad's an agent. I grew up around show biz but not on the music side. He was on the television side of things.
Kelly Dunn: What instruments do you play?
Rachael Warwick: I play an acoustic Epiphone acoustic. They presented me a new Epiphone at the CMA show this year in Nashville ! It was really fantastic. I am learning to play the keys a bit more. I think it would be good to learn more instruments. I practice everyday on the guitar to get better.
Kelly Dunn: Tell us about hosting the CMA Global Artist Showcase….
Rachael Warwick: It was cool. The CMA asked me if I would host the show as well as perform! It was exciting actually! I hope to do it again.
Kelly Dunn: Do you find recording in Nashville is different than in England ?
Rachael Warwick: The musicianship is much better in Nashville than it is here. There are some great players here. The live band I have over here is actually very good but overall the talent here is not geared towards Country music.
Kelly Dunn: To digress for a moment, what's the mood like today in London with the recent bombings.
Rachael Warwick: I live an hour outside of London so it's not too bad. But we are all angry over these senseless bombings. I don't know if it ever is going to end. I would not use the tubes. I will ride my bike from now on when I'm in London .
Kelly Dunn: The tubes?
Rachael Warwick: The Underground, you know?
Kelly Dunn: The Underground, the subway, I got it, I'm a little slow over here Rachael! (laughter)
Kelly Dunn: Were you doing a show when the bombings occurred?
Rachael Warwick: No, but I was in Switzerland with the Bellamy Brothers recently doing a concert. There was a bomb scare and that stopped the show for a little while. But the show went on with no problems. But it is scary, isn't it?
Kelly Dunn: Yes it is. It's everywhere it seems.
Rachael Warwick: Oh I want to tell you about Jessie and Noah Bellamy, their sons. They are awesome! If you get a chance check them out, very good band. “Driving Nowhere” is their latest CD.
Kelly Dunn: I'll do that! When you write is it therapeutic for you?
KW: It's very soothing. I just write what comes to my mind. I also get a lot of my song ideas from my dreams. Sometimes as soon as I wake up I go it all down on paper.
Kelly Dunn: Where do you think all those ideas come from.
KW: I don't know really! It either it comes to you or it doesn't. It's all very interesting though.
Kelly Dunn: Do you do this full-time?
KW: This is all I do! I've picked songwriter as my main career.
Kelly Dunn: Anything that you do outside of music?
Rachael Warwick: Me and my friends have some land out in the country. We are building a center for adults with learning disabilities. There were some problems getting building permits and related problems. But, Sherry Blair, the Prime Minister's wife, heard about the delays that were happening from the city inpectors. So Mrs. Blair called and gave me her support! So with that we are on our way of finishing our project!
Kelly Dunn: That's very impressive! Tony Blair, the prime ministers wife. I'd say the place will probably get built with that kind of support! (Laughter)
KW: I am very concerned with the problems concerning the mental health problem of adults. We are going to them teach life skills. We'll show them how to cook and do daily chores. This will give them a sense a purpose in their lives. Plus, they each have an animal they take care to give them responsibilities.
Kelly Dunn: How did you get involved with this project?
KW: I have some family members that are afflicted with this problem. So I want to help those in return.
Kelly Dunn: Good luck on that! I know that will give everybody's life more purpose.
KW: Thank you Kelly. (short reflective pause)
Kelly Dunn: I really like your new cd, “Anglo-Americana. How did the song, “One Last Look At Love” come about.
Rachael Warwick: Mark Moffatt wrote this song for me. It's a great song. I loved singing it.
Kelly Dunn: How did you meet Mark Moffatt.
Rachael Warwick: I met Mark who was working with Keith Urban. He came up to a show one night heard me perform. He came up to me afterwards and said he'd like to work with me. And that's how I got started in Nashville . I have to say that after coming to the States it's funny how they market Keith Urban. In England he's billed as a Rock act but in the States he's advertised as a Country artist. Very funny! (laughter )
Kelly Dunn: What was it like to record with Reba McIntyre's band.
Rachael Warwick: They were really top blokes. First, we recorded the song, “Maverick”. This is the top song of the album. I went in and did six tracks on the first trip. And then returned and did six more tracks on the second trip to Nashville .
Kelly Dunn: I noticed on the insert of the CD that you have among all the mementos, a Nashville numbered song sheet. People outside of Nashville songwriters won't know what that is but I spotted it right away!
Rachael Warwick: Oh yeah, I really liked the how they write up the song charts. It's pretty cool so I kept the music sheets a memento and used it on the CD.
Kelly Dunn: Did you get to visit any sites while you were here in America ?
Rachael Warwick: Not too much. I spent most of my time recording. Although, I went to Graceland . It was really sad, it was quite bizarre. Just trampling through his house I felt like I was trespassing through his private affairs. But I'm glad I went. I love Elvis, he's my favorite.
Oh, and the CMA asked me to host the evening. I wasn't expecting that at all really. After I performed and hosted I got to chill out and listen to all the other acts. It was a great time. I hope to do it again!
Kelly Dunn: Who are some of you favorite artists.
KW: I like Alanis Morrisette, Elvis, Bob Dylan, John Lennon…I really like the male artists more than the female artists. The guys just rock and play harder and that's what I like. I like a edgier, harder sound.
Kelly Dunn: This question comes up a lot so I'll ask you: What comes first to you, the lyrics or the melody…
Rachael Warwick: My ideas come to me in the shower. It all depends… no particular way really.
Kelly Dunn: What is on your iPod right now?
Rachael Warwick: You know Kelly, I am the least tech person you'll ever meet! (laughs) I am always the last to get in on something. I know it's big I hear about it all the time. But I'm not really a techie kind of girl.
Kelly Dunn: Yes, it's pretty big over here!
Rachael Warwick: I'll have to look into this iPod for sure!
Kelly Dunn: Do you think you'd ever move to Nashville ?
Rachael Warwick: I would love to move to anywhere in America ! I love the people there. There is so much space over there. More space than there is here. America a great place. I'm sure one day I'll be moving over there. I think I'm really an American type girl really.
Kelly Dunn: Rachael, thank you for your time and good luck!
Rachael Warwick: Kelly, I want to thank you for everything and I hope to see you soon!
Rachael Warwick web site is: RachaelWarwick.com
Article: © Kelly Dunn - All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
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