Rachael Cantu

Country of origin:

U.S.

Type of music generally:

alternative pop with folk elements

Status:

Most recent release, Covers (covers, 2013); most recent release of original material, Far and Wide (2010)

See also:

Rachael Cantu's site

Wikipedia's entry on Rachael Cantu

The Little Brutes bandcamp site for her duo with Harlan Silverman

Comparisons:

Cat Power, Shannon Wright, Juliana Hatfield, Missy Higgins

Covers/own material:

Own

General comments:

An intriguing and cool-voiced singer. (stjarnell@yahoo.com)

Recommended first album:

Run All Night is all we've heard

Recordings:

• Run All Night (2006)
• Far and Wide (2010)
• Covers (covers, 2013)

Run All Night

Release info:

2006—Q Division Records—QDIV1032

Availability:

See Q Division Records

Ecto priority:

Recommended

Group members:

Rachael Cantu—vocals, acoustic guitar, organ, electric guitar, keyboards

Guest artists:

John Bistine—piano, Wurlitzer, bass guitar, cello
Mike Piehl—drums
Matt Tahaney—bass guitar, percussion, electric guitar
Tegan Quin—backing vocals on 1 track
Joe McMahon—acoustic bass on 1 track
Tony Goddess—organ, keyboards on 1 track

Produced by:

Matt Beaudoin

Comments:

This is an 8-song EP.

Rachel Cantu's debut begins with the mesmerizing "Hear My Laughter"—it's a barely audible haunted folk song that Cat Power can make. The following track is more conventional indie pop with a neat chorus. "Blood Laughs" sees her return to her most evocative style and it's chilled enough to freeze the blood. Maybe a whole album at this funeral pace would be too much, but here it's stunning, especially when offset by more upbeat fare. But it's on the slow songs Cantu fares best. I'd love to hear more of them. The title track is one so we end on a positive note. (stjarnell@yahoo.com)

Thanks to stjarnell@yahoo.com for work on this entry.