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Rachel Zamsteen On Target With “This Gun” Video

November 2006

Close your eyes and let the music sweep you away. From first note to last, Rachel Zamsteen takes you on a soulful musical journey. A multitalented musician and songwriter who is not afraid to stray from the norm, Rachel zigzags her way across a landscape that is equal parts jazz, blues, folk and, of course, rock. Don’t be fooled by her innocent smile – she has combined the sensibilities of many artists her senior and written well beyond her 21 years. On her debut album Bouquet (notpop records), Rachel Zamsteen brings a musical depth far beyond that of her pop counterparts.

“As a person who has lived life as both a nice and bad girl , I can honestly say that I've felt more rewarded when I acted out in a ‘rebellious’ way or did things simply to obtain attention,” says Rachel. “Essentially, I almost always received the desired outcome when I acted like I didn't care and behaved in a way which might dictate that I think highly of myself and less of others,” she reveals. “Yet in reality, that personality was learned and in a big way was a coping system and/or defense mechanism. Regardless, it’s a way to get by, but not the way to thrive. If, as a society, we accept a more relaxed outlook on life, I think we'd all be able to be kinder people.”

On the song “This Gun,” Rachel croons “Come over here boy, I’ve got something for ya….It's this gun in your mouth, that says you’re gonna do some listening now” and paints a lyrical picture of old-time jazz greats. The video has been steadily receiving rotational adds across the country, placing Rachel on charts alongside, and often ahead of, such already established acts as Incubus, Tokyo Rose, Meg & Dia and Halifax.

A native of Connecticut, Rachel’s hometown newspaper, the Hartford Advocate, describes her as a mix of “Debbie Harry in her prime with a dash of Lydia Lunch's violence.” And while on Bouquet, you may not hear punk rock anthems or feedback-laden tracks with thunderous drums of doom, you will feel the power and influence of Nirvana within her emotional words and delivery.

After relocating to Asbury Park, New Jersey this year, Rachel quickly made herself a household name and earned “Best Female Vocalist" and “Best Female Solo" nominations at the Asbury Park Music Awards.

Even with the acclaim, Rachel, who has been schooled in the styles of Mozart, Beethoven, Charlie Parker since the age of two, isn’t in this for the glory. “I try to write songs for the people whose voices are less likely to be heard. That’s true rock in my opinion, because who is a ‘rockstar’ without their fans?”

Rachel’s as honest as they come. On “Drought,” she reveals “I burn the piano with a cigarette; I haven’t been able to stop smoking yet.” Yet, today she is excited to say she has quit all vices and finds “It’s a new found freedom and joy for me to live life without using substances to make things better.”

Though she’ll continue to raise eyebrows experimenting with her appearance and wildly flinging herself across the stage, once thing’s for sure. You won’t be able to take your eyes-or ears-off her. While her calendar fills up with gigs from New York to Stockholm in support of Bouquet, this is just the beginning of the journey.

For review and interview opportunities, contact Joelle@audiocrushpr.com

www.myspace.com/rachelzamsteen