Erin Rae Cosmic Sigh Interview

Cosmic country singer-songwriter Erin Rae has released her fourth single "Cosmic Sigh" – a cinematic pop swirl about making steady, hopeful change – off of her highly anticipated album Lighten Up, released via Thirty Tigers/Cooking Vinyl Australia. The anticipated new album was produced by neo-psychedelic Jonathan Wilson (Father John Misty) and features guests including Kevin Morby and Hand Habits. Following the album's release, Rae will head to Australia in March 2022 for her first tour here, opening for Courtney Marie Andrews.

"Cosmic Sigh" is a lush swirl of cinematic strings and pop production, shaping this would-be contemplative number into a rush of clear-eyed optimism, the perfect soundtrack for entering into a new year. Indeed it has the soundscape of a black-and-white film turning into color, in which a protagonist steps out on her own, damning the nay-sayers and sticking to her guns.

Erin Rae says of the creation of the song, "For me, "Cosmic Sigh" is telling the story of the turning point in healing, in which you start to see the light at the end of the tunnel, or hope that a new way of living is starting to feel more comfortable; that life is expanding. Something I have learned many times now is that when things start to change, even for the better, it can be intimidating and uncomfortable. The familiar ways of operating, though harmful or painful, can try and draw you back in for a few rounds. Two steps forward, one step back. "Cosmic Sigh" is about the fortitude within; the commitment to have faith in the unknown, and stay the course the intuition is hinting at, and eventually, hopefully, trusting oneself."

"Cosmic Sigh" follows the release of "Candy & Curry," described by Consequence as "a playful 70s inspired track that feels like it was plucked out of a bygone era - one in which songwriters sat down and wrote what they know." Rae also released "Modern Woman" currently charting on the Americana charts, which debuted on Rolling Stone with a video featuring Brittany Howard, Kelsey Waldon, and other women of Nashville bucking assumptions of what it means to be a modern woman.

With a renewed sense of agency, Rae also took a more active role in creating the kaleidoscopic soundscape that became Lighten Up, playing guitar throughout and feeling more confident in her musical decisions, drawing from obscure songwriters and niche genres like the English Psych folk she'd listened to while on the road. She set out to reflect a sound she calls, "an emotional pallet I could get lost in."

The solitude of the road and then the pandemic created space for Rae to undergo a sonic and philosophical shift where she found catharsis in creating an album that reflected on her newfound lessons of self acceptance, alongside finding the confidence to offer social commentary on the environment, gender identity, and equality. "My last record was a lot of self-assessment and criticism, and trying to kick old habits and ways of relating and not relating to people," Rae acknowledges. "This one is about blossoming, opening up, and living a little more in the present moment. Fully experiencing what it is to be human."

Three years have passed since the release of her critically acclaimed debut Putting On Airs, which drew high praise from publications from Rolling Stone to NPR Music. She mostly spent her time on the road, performing at Newport Folk and Red Rocks, sharing stages with Iron & Wine, Jason Isbell, Jenny Lewis, Hiss Golden Messenger and Father John Misty, before her touring came to a sharp halt at the start of the pandemic. She simultaneously tried to carve out time to write and live life following the successful release of a deeply personal album that, to her, felt like she had opened up the workings of her mind for all to see.

Alongside Erin, Jonathan Wilson, noted for his work with many artists including Father John Misty, Jenny O., & The Deep Dark Woods, contributed drums, electric guitar, and background vocals. The album also features a core band of Drew Erickson on keys and string arrangements, noted for his work with Lana Del Rey, Weyes Blood, and Father John Misty, and Jake Blanton on bass, who contributed to Bedouine's self-titled debut, and is a member of The Killers' touring band. Spencer Cullum of Nashville instrumental duo, Steelism, performed pedal steel. The album also features guest appearances from fellow songwriters, Meg Duffy (Hand Habits), Ny Oh, and Kevin Morby.

Their flourishes of orchestral strings and swirling pedal steel melded with white hot organs, driving drums and rocking guitars form a sophisticated soundtrack for Rae's distinct vocals to shimmer and shine. Her distinct vocals offer us a much needed alternative to the criticism we can wield upon ourselves and others as we all try to navigate these turbulent times.

Interview with Erin Rae

Question: How would you describe your music?

Erin Rae: I would say it's indie folk/cosmic country adjacent, haha. Is that pretentious or what! I always say the roots of my music come from American songwriting styles that I was introduced to by my parents, and growing up in the south.


Question: Can you tell us about Cosmic Sigh?

Erin Rae: Cosmic Sigh is describing the turning point in a healing or self-acceptance process. "Just before the old ways die, they lure, they lie". It's about much of changing habits of behaviour or beliefs is a bit of one step forward, two steps back; two steps forward, one step back. It's all eventually moving forward in time, but it's not linear.


Question: What inspired your upcoming album Lighten Up?

Erin Rae: My last record was a very deep dive into patterns of behaviour and to use a therapy term, doing some shadow work. This one I wanted to live a little, and affirm some steps outside of myself and into connection with others, however imperfectly it goes. I wanted to have a little fun, and of course maintain this connection and acceptance of myself.


Question: Is there a particular message you hope listeners take from your music?

Erin Rae: I don't really have some big statement I want to make. The songs each have their little messages. I am just grateful and excited to be able to share some of the things I am learning from other wise folks in my life, and share the experience of self-acceptance. I don't really want to make a statement about myself as much as I want to give others permission to be themselves. I think that's the goal.


Question: Do you prefer performing live or recording?

Erin Rae: They are both so special for different reasons! I love it all. They each inspire the other.


Question: What should we expect from your upcoming tour?

Erin Rae: This tour with Courtney Marie Andrews, I'll be playing solo acoustic versions of the songs on this new record, and a few oldies, too. I've brought my dad's Martin guitar, and I'm just gonna sing my heart out! You'll probably hear me try to say Australian terms and butcher them horribly. It's going to be very fun! Hahaha.

Question: What motivates you most when writing music?

Erin Rae: I'm most inspired by big swells of emotion, and by other songwriters who access and share a deep feeling gift with their art. Anything that feels connected to the heart inspires me deeply!


Question: Which music/artists are you currently listening to?

Erin Rae: I really have been loving Alabaster DePlume, Aldous Harding, Jon McKiel, Gene Clark, and my old standby, Feist.


Question: What or who was your inspiration to go into the music industry?

Erin Rae: It was more a dream just to keep connecting and singing with other musicians! I didn't want to walk away from that once I found people my own age doing it. I wanted to be around that magic all the time. Stumbling through the music business has been a secondary journey, learning how it works and how it's always changing. There are many beautiful things about it and many confusing things, at times! But I'm so glad to be in it.


Question: If you could collaborate with another artist, who would it be?

Erin Rae: There are so many! So hard to choose. I'd love to sing sometime with an artist named Sam Burton who is based in LA. But really truly, so many friends. It would be fun to do something with Bedouine & Courtney! Maybe that'll happen sometime!


Question: Was there a moment you contemplated throwing in the towel?
Erin Rae: Many moments, haha. But I think that is part of my personality. "Is this what I should be doing?". Plus, the uncertainty and learning what it is to be an artist. Or what it can be. The idea of it at the start is so different from what it truly is, but also there are still very romantic parts. I have just kept deciding to keep going, with the encouragement of others.


Question: What has been your favourite part of becoming a music artist?

Erin Rae: Probably realizing that I get to decide what is important to me, and how I want my career to look and my life to look. I can create as long as I live, and there really are as many ways for that to look as there are paths in life. Doesn't have to be one certain trajectory. On par with that though is just hearing a friend's new songs in person. Hearing music written by people you love personally is just the best. It's almost surreal how lovely it is.


Question: What's a typical day like?

Erin Rae: If I'm on tour, a typical day is to wake up, find coffee, get in the van and drive to the next show location, hopefully have a little time for a snack, sound check, get dressed and set up merch, play the show, talk to folks (pre-covid), go to the hotel, sleep a few hours and do it again! A day off is nice cause it allows for some solo walks around the city, my favourite way to explore.


Question: Can you share your socials? (links please)

Erin Rae: After this tour with Courtney, I'll get back for about a week to Nashville, then hit the road again in the states opening for the band Watchhouse (formerly Mandolin Orange), before a run of headlining full band dates. Gonna be a busy spring and summer and I can't wait.


Question: Can you share your socials? (links please)

Erin Rae: Instagram
Facebook
YouTube
Spotify


Interview by Gwen van Montfort

Tuesday March 8 - Perth, WA, Fremantle Arts Centre
Thursday March 10 - Sydney, NSW, City Recital Hall
Saturday March 12 / Sunday March 13 - Port Fairy, VIC, Port Fairy Folk Fest
Tuesday March 15 - Melbourne, VIC, Wesley Anne
Wednesday March 16 - Melbourne, VIC, The ESPY
Friday March 18 - Castlemaine, VIC, Bridge Hotel
Saturday March 19 - Archies Creek, VIC, Archie's Creek Hotel
Sunday March 20 - Melbourne, VIC, Westwood