Rachel Ralphs is a 20 year old singer/songwriter. Her recent single, All I Ever Do has been play listed on Apple Music and has Spotify listeners in over 24 countries. She released About Time, her first single, in 2020, which received recognition on Groot FM and Impulse Radio. She is currently studying full time at the stageworx school of performing arts, majoring in songwriting and music production. She is passionate creative and hopes to inspire audiences with her music full time after concluding her studies.
Thank you for taking this interview! How has the New Year been for you so far as an artist?
This new year as an artist has been going well so far its always so amazing to look back on the music I’ve released in the past and seeing how well they have been doing considering I am an independent artist. I am currently creating new music to release soon which I am excited about.
Can you tell us how you've transformed from the beginning to now as an artist?
I started songwriting when I was in grade three which meant I was eight years old, songwriting has always been a way of life for me, a way of healing and coping through all of my past experiences
And hardships. I’d say the only difference now as an artist is that anyone can listen to it, I’ve shared it with the world and what's so special about that is that anyone can interpret my music in any shape or form and relate it to their own situations.
How did you come up with your latest project?
The song ‘All I ever do’ started off as a ballad, it was slow and heartfelt but I wanted it to be more commercial, at a much faster pace. I took the song with me to Tjaart Van Der Walt who is my producer and we worked on the song for a few months starting from scratch to make it exactly what it is now.
Where are you from originally?
I am from Johannesburg, South Africa.
Where do you live now?
I am currently still living in Johannesburg.
Do you think where you live impacts how your music is made?
I definitely do, I have many unreleased songs that have been heavily inspired by South African artists such as Majozi and Matthew Mole. At stageworx performing arts school, since I take songwriting as a subject our term projects are based around writing in different styles and genres and one of our briefs that was given last year was to write an inspiration song, and this song was heavily inspired by South African culture and the whole 2010 World Cup that was held here in South Africa.
What was the inspiration to make music your career?
When writing, my inspiration comes from truthful experiences I, or people I know, have lived through. I believe as a songwriter it is important to dive into emotions we choose not to face, to let them out in healthy ways. Someone one told me that there is value in every chord you play, every lyric you pen and every instrument you pick up and that will always stick with me. Music for me is a way of life, I can’t be myself without it and I can’t see myself doing anything else in my future besides writing and releasing music.
How do you want to shape your career?
I want to shape my career by taking the necessary steps, I want to reach many platforms with my music and I want it to travel far. I want a lot of people to listen to my music and at some point I’d like my music to even help people like how music helps me. I want to become well known for what I can do and what I can give out to people who listen.
Do you work on a tight timeline always or do you go with the flow when it comes to your music?
I wouldn’t say I have a ’tight timeline’ as I’m writing new music and having new ideas almost everyday, but once I know a song has great potential I will take it into the studio and work with it until I am happy with it. Although I say I don’t work on a ‘tight timeline’, the songwriting and music production projects I do at my performing arts school have to be handed in on a specific date.
How did your latest title of your music come to be?
My song ‘All I ever do’ was written in 2018 about someone very special to me. Our friendship will always hold a special place in my heart but during our friendship I caught feelings as one normally does and unfortunately for me during that time they didn’t feel the same which led me to write this song. ‘All I ever do’ is me saying that I did love this person, but I couldn’t continue to love them as loving them would be all I’ll ever be doing without reciprocation.
Is it hard to let go of the music when it is done?
I guess in a way it is, I put so much of myself in my music that it becomes a part of me but that's exactly why I love putting it out because other people can then make it a part of themselves. Truth for me can be truth for somebody else too.
Do you feel an emotional attachment to your music?
I think all people who write their own music feel an emotional attachment towards their music, it all comes from some place of truth whether it be your own or someone you’re writing for.
How would you describe your music in one word to someone who hasn't listened to it yet?
I would describe my music as playful
Where do they go to listen NOW?
Anyone can listen to my music anywhere on any platform from Deezer to Apple Music. All they would have to do is search ‘Rachel Ralphs’.
What has been the best fan reaction to your music?
I remember when I released my first single I had people I’ve never met posting covers of the song, one was on guitar and singing the song and another was a boy from Tik Tok who did a piano cover of almost the whole song, adding his own ’spice’ to it. It was very heartwarming seeing people fall in love with something I had made.
Is there anything exciting coming up for you?
Indeed there is, I am looking forward to releasing a third single at the end of this year or early next year that I am beyond excited for.
Are you performing the song anywhere LIVE?
Not yet but there are lots of plans for the future when it comes to performing so if you follow me on my social media platforms you’ll be updated with performances.
Give us all your socials and links so fans can link up with you!
Instagram: @RachelRalphss
Twitter: @RachelRalphss
Tik tok: @RachelRalphss
All music platforms you can find me by looking up my name or following the link: lhttps://linktr.ee/rachelralphs