Graduate student Rachel Figley can be found singing around Athens. With the release of her first album, “Comically Devine,” Rachel is another step closer to achieving her dream career.
How long have you been singing/writing songs?
I’ve been singing since I was itty bitty – started in church and in children choirs. I wrote a couple that I’ll never let anyone hear in Junior High and High School. I don’t think I’d remember them anyway. I didn’t start writing “real” songs until college.
What inspires you to write your songs?
Whew, tough question. My music is entirely selfish. It’s for me, I don’t need anyone else in the world to hear it or approve of it, I simply need to sing for me. Music is the only language that is capable of communicating all of what I am absolutely perfectly.
As far as writing, it’s different for every song I think. One song, “Broken” was directly related to my life during my parents’ divorce. I have others like “Nothin Sweet” and “Your Everything” that are exaggerations of things in my life or in others’ lives. But most of them start pretty randomly like when someone says something I think would make a good line in a song, or I hear a chord progression I want to play with. My newest song “Denver,” which is also my dream city, developed after joking around with some members of Kingsfoil about dying in Denver…long story, point is, I have no idea where my music comes from, I just like to sing it!
What do you plan to do after grad school?
I have no idea! I’m definitely tired of feeling stagnant, I want something new and exciting. Challenge is absolutely necessary. I can’t handle being bored; I want to be pushed to my limits so I can figure out what I’m capable of!
Where would you like to be in 5 years?
If I could choose anything in the world – I’d be working in public relations in Denver in either sports or entertainment. I want a sweet career, but I’m a huge outdoors person so the idea of a big metro city in the middle of the mountains is just perfect…at least in my head.
What kind of feedback have you gotten so far from “Comically Divine”?
Good! But most of it is from friends and family, so I’m not sure that counts. It’s always great to hear from random people who find me on Facebook or happen to stop by a show. It is incredibly humbling and inspiring to receive compliments from complete strangers, especially because singing original songs is one of very few things that make me feel truly vulnerable.
My favorite fans are the ones who have believed in my music more than I have. There are a few select people who have pushed me to write, to record, to keep playing…they are absolutely the reason I have faith in my music.
Where is the album available?
iTunes or just contact me and I’ll give it to you for free.
You can also listen to it on Facebook –
www.facebook.com/RachelAnnFigley
How long did it take you to put the album together?
Just a couple weeks, I think the final count was 21 hours for tracking and mixing…very low-key and simple. Just wanted to get them down. That was only six months ago and the songs already seem old! My sound and writing have definitely evolved since then so hopefully there will be more recording in the future.