Rachel Bochner took the time to chat with us about her music and how she makes it. Let’s see what she has to say!
First off, What’s up with your name? Is there a story behind it?
Rachel Bochner is my real name! My government name, if you will. I thought a lot about possibly using a stage name, but the significance of my family name is important to me. My grandfather was a Holocaust survivor – he lost his whole family, endured so much, but still managed to make it out on his own. It’s because of his resilience that I’m even alive, so I have a pretty deep appreciation for the weight of the history behind my last name.
Tell us about your musical past, would you tell us about your early years?
I’ve loved music, singing, and performing for as long as I can remember, but my journey as a songwriter didn’t start until a little later in my life. I think part of me didn’t realize that pursuing music as an artist was possible, and the other part of me was subconsciously afraid of failing. Regardless, I couldn’t help but find myself gravitating towards music, and I even convinced myself that meant wanting to work at a label. I was an intern at Republic Records in the summer of 2018, which was also the summer I started writing a ton, and in what felt like an instant, it all clicked. From that point on, all I wanted to do was make music. In 2019, I did a songwriting camp and co-wrote with people for the first time, and in the cheesiest way ever, it was life changing. Working with different writers and producers really helped me figure out what my sound was and what it wasn’t. I began meeting more and more people in the NY music scene, and a few years later (despite starting to release music right as COVID hit, and not being able to move to NYC until summer of 2021), I started feel like I found an incredible community of creative, talented, and amazing people that I’m so grateful to make music alongside.
How would you describe your sound?
Gritty but vulnerable, a little dark yet whimsical… honest and fun
Which artists have the biggest influence on your sound?
Taylor Swift raised me, for sure, but I’m also inspired by artists like Baby Queen, Holly Humberstone, Fletcher, Lana Del Rey, Maisie Peters… the list goes on.
What’s the last song you listened to?
A&W by Lana Del Rey
What’s your source for hearing new music?
Probably sharing music with friends! Or Spotify playlists.
Who is your dream producer?
Honestly, it would be so sick to get to a point where I could fully produce a project myself… Maybe one day.
If you could collaborate with anyone, who would it be?
Taylor Swift!!!! Orrrr Fletcher.
What led you to music, and what motivates you to keep making it?
I’ve loved music, singing, and performing for as long as I can remember, but my journey as a songwriter didn’t start until a little later in my life. My family members all love music too, but for the most part they all went into medicine related careers. I think part of me didn’t realize that pursuing music as an artist was possible, and the other part of me was subconsciously afraid of failing. Regardless, I couldn’t help but find myself gravitating towards music, and I even convinced myself that meant wanting to work at a label. I was an intern at Republic Records in the summer of 2018, which was also the summer I started writing a ton, and in what felt like an instant, it all clicked. From that point on, all I wanted to do was make music. In 2019, I did a songwriting camp and co-wrote with people for the first time, and in the cheesiest way ever, it was life changing. Working with different writers and producers really helped me figure out what my sound was and what it wasn’t. I began meeting more and more people in the NY music scene, and a few years later (despite starting to release music right as COVID hit, and not being able to move to NYC until summer of 2021), I started feel like I found an incredible community of creative, talented, and amazing people that I’m so grateful to make music alongside.
Tell us about the songwriting process. How does it all come together?
Whether I go into a writing session with a concept already in mind or not, I think if there is some emotion or thought that wants to come out, it will. The thing I love about writing is that sometimes I don’t know exactly what I’m trying to say until I’ve written a verse or a chorus, and then all of a sudden it clicks. Sucker Punch is an example of that – the chorus tumbled out all at once, and it wasn’t until I typed the words “sucker punch” that I realized where I was going with it. On the other hand, for the follow up single, If I’m Gunna Be Sad, I came into my producer’s studio and was like, “I want to write a song about being hot and sad at the same time.” This EP is a bit of a venting session for me… a way to let go of some feelings/memories/people I was holding onto in song form.
How do you connect with your audience? What is the easiest way for them to connect with you?
I literally LOVE talking to the people who listen to my music. I started a discord a little over a year ago, and it’s been so much fun being able to really connect with fans on a more personal level. Obviously, I can post on Instagram or TikTok or whatever, but that feels a step removed from actually engaging with people in real time. I use my Discord to leak updates before I post them publicly, get to know my listeners, get their thoughts on new merch or ideas I have, and so on. It’s developed into this little family, and I can’t wait to watch it continue to grow.
https://www.tiktok.com/@rachelbochner
https://www.instagram.com/rachelbochner/
https://www.facebook.com/rachelbochner
What’s next for you?
My next single, If I’m Gunna Be Sad (I Might As Well Look Hot Doing It) will be out April 20th…
Anything else you’d like to add or let us know about?
Keep an eye out for the Sucker Punch music video coming very soon!
Bio: Rachel Bochner is a New York City based singer-songwriter. With a passion for turning the trials of navigating your twenties into pop music anyone can sing along to, Rachel is unafraid to own the thoughts, mistakes, and emotions we tend to shy away from. Giving grit to vulnerability, Rachel melds the dark with the whimsical, creating a musical thumbprint that could only be recognized as her own. Her latest single “Sucker Punch” is the first track to be released from her upcoming EP. The type of song you’ll want to scream-sing in your car when you’re in need of free therapy, “Sucker Punch” is the cathartic soundtrack of a post-heartbreak revenge fantasy. Over moody, distorted guitars and heavy layered bass tracks, the track says to hell with the high road… being petty is WAY more fun.
