Today Sarah sits down with Rachael Yamagata. Her new album asks you to stop scrolling and truly listen. That’s the invitation at the heart of our conversation with Rachel Yamagata, whose new record, Starlit Alchemy, unfolds as a continuous journey—interludes, transitions, and songs that flow like a single film score. We trace the winding path to release: tours planned for 2019, recording plans derailed in 2020, the pivot to a home studio in the Catskills, and the choice to embrace an album-first vision when the industry rewards singles and snippets.
Rachel shares the stories behind the music, including “Birds,” a meditation on signs, loss, and the ways we make meaning during uncertain times. She opens up about the tradeoffs of full independence: self-management, learning marketing from scratch, funding a record out of touring, and crafting DIY visuals on her phone to reach new listeners. The numbers are real—tens of thousands to make an album, streaming payouts that don’t cover the costs, and the long grind of booking, rehearsals, and promotion. Yet the creative intent shines: immersive shows in listening rooms and resonant spaces with strings, soundscapes, and a set designed for deep focus.
We also revisit Rachel’s early 2000s roots—Hotel Cafe, global tours, and collaborations—and explore why placements in TV and film still give songs a second life. Then we get candid about the present: social media as both lifeline and time sink, gatekeeping that privileges surface over substance, and the uncertain role of AI in shaping the next wave of artistry. Rachel’s answer is to go deeper, not faster: make work that rewards attention, build community, and let the album format carry the weight of complex emotion.
Hit play to hear a veteran artist map the real economics of creating today, the philosophy behind an album that demands presence, and the optimism that keeps the music moving forward. If the conversation resonates, follow the show, share it with a friend, and leave a review so more listeners can find these stories.

https://rachaelyamagata.com/

https://www.instagram.com/rachaelyamagata/

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Many thanks to Anne Tello for her vocals on the theme song and to our sponsor 'Heard City'.

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