Rachel's Overview

Rachel's is a so-called punk band that plays chamber music. Or is it a chamber music ensemble that plays in punk clubs? Either way, the band's music is fresh -- the rich harmonics of acoustic violas, cello, and piano, oddly combined... [more]

Rachel's is a so-called punk band that plays chamber music. Or is it a chamber music ensemble that plays in punk clubs? Either way, the band's music is fresh -- the rich harmonics of acoustic violas, cello, and piano, oddly combined with the bar chatter and dive ambiance of alternative venues, add up to a strange sort of otherworldly beauty. As the classical version of country-tinged bands like Rodan, Slint, and Rex, Rachel's often adds guitar and drums to its line-up. Ry Cooder, in his vast exploration of international music, points out the global prevalence of the garage band: the guitar-and-drums standard is being adapted to other styles of music, such as Gamelan and Okinawan folk music. In Louisville, Rachel's has applied the garage sound to chamber music and produced a truly modern sound. [show less]