Rachel Brown's Debut Album, Building Castles Streets 9/18/12

Article Contributed by Big Picture Media | Published on Monday, August 13, 2012

Rachel Brown will be releasing her debut EP Building Castles on September 18th, 2012.The singer-songwriter, who was born and raised in New York City with Ethiopian, Bermudian and Southern roots, fuses pop, Caribbean, Hawaiian, country, hip-hop and world sounds into Building Castles' six self-penned songs.The EP's first single, "Bumblebee," will be accompanied by a music video directed by Rex Arrow Productions founder Ian Wolfson (Mac Miller, Nelly).With no formal musical training, Brown found her voice organically. "I would pick up my guitar and teach myself how to play by writing songs," says Brown. "I just played until it sounded right."Peers and established veterans alike quickly recognized Brown's natural talent. She was the 2010 recipient of the prestigious ASCAP Foundation Robert Allen Award for songwriting as well as a 2011 recipient of the Songwriter's Hall of Fame Abe Olman Award for Excellence in Songwriting. She also received a very coveted showcase slot at the National Association for Campus Activities' national convention, leading to a 40-date college tour.Brown's music also caught the ear of one of her favorite musical influences, Wyclef Jean. The week after she graduated college, the singer received a surprise when Jean brought her up on stage to perform an impromptu duet of Bob Marley's "Redemption Song" at a fundraiser held at New York's legendary Cipriani 42nd Street, and most recently Jean joined Brown onstage at her residency at NYC's famed supper club, The Darby.Having only been performing publicly since her junior year in college, the Harvard graduate's (she was selected as one of Harvard's "15 Most Interesting Seniors" in 2010) honest lyrics and melodic sound have secured exposure not often seen by a new artist. Brown has been featured by the New York Post and PerezHilton.com and has opened for the likes of Mary J. Blige and Robin Thicke at Bermuda's National Stadium, and John Legend and Quincy Jones at the Bermuda Music Festival.Tracklisting:1. Bumblebee2. Four Leaf Clovers3. Rockstar4. Your Little Act5. Falling In Love Backwards6. On Your SideShow Dates:August 16th- The Darby214 W. 14th Street, NYCAugust 23rd- The Darby214 W. 14th Street, NYCAugust 30th- The Darby214 W. 14th Street, NYCSeptember 21st- John Lennon Bermuda TributeBotanical Gardens, Bermuda