Exclusive Interview: Pop Culturalist Chats with Rachel Shaps

Singer-songwriter Rachel Shaps is living what many would consider the impossible dream, and if it weren’t her for grandmother, the legendary Eartha Kitt, she would probably agree. But watching her grandmother thrive, Rachel knew anything was possible if she worked hard enough. At the age of twelve, she started writing her own original music, taught herself piano and guitar, and began blending folk-style storytelling with a soulful alt-pop sound that’s distinctive and memorable. Pop Culturalist caught up with Rachel to chat about her new single, “Learn My Lesson”.

PC: How did you discover your passion for music?
Rachel: I discovered my passion for music when I was born, I’m pretty sure. I don’t remember a time in my life when I didn’t love music and wasn’t singing, probably even before I could talk. My grandmother was the legendary singer, actress, and activist, Eartha Kitt, so it was in my blood. I’d travel with her and my mom to all of her shows and sets and just take it all in.

PC: Who or what has had the biggest influence on your career?
Rachel: I’d say my grandmother was my biggest influence for a few reasons—the first being purely that she showed me the accessibility into this world. I think that for many people, the entertainment and music industry can seem so shielded from reality, but because I grew up watching her thrive in it, I always knew it could be an option for me if I deserved it. She also led by example in using her platform to stand up for herself, her beliefs, and to express herself as honestly as she could. Watching her and learning from her made me so excited to one day do it myself.

PC: Tell us about your new single, “Learn My Lesson”. What inspired the track?
Rachel: I think it’s human nature to look back on relationships and try to dissect certain moments. We think of how they could’ve gone differently, or what we “should have said”, but the truth is, it wouldn’t make a difference. If a relationship ends, it’s probably for good reason. It’s not a healthy habit, but I’m definitely guilty of dwelling on the past and wondering what went wrong.

I wrote the song at a really interesting time in my life. I wasn’t in a relationship, I didn’t have an ex to dwell on, but I’d still find myself hurt or disappointed by past flings, and I finally figured out why: I found myself gravitating towards the same kind of behavior over and over again—behavior that I hated—but I’m such a hopeless romantic that I’d get swept up in the excitement of a budding romance and make excuses or turn a blind eye. So, when I’d end up disappointed yet again, I’d shake my head, unsurprised. It was my turn to take the blame. I wanted to write a song accepting responsibility for the part I played that led to my feeling that way instead of blaming someone else for something I should’ve seen coming.

PC: What is your creative process like when you’re working on a new song? Has it changed throughout the years?
Rachel: It’s always a little different, and it’s definitely changed. There are days when I’ll bang out four songs in a few hours, and sometimes I’ll go a week without writing anything. Sometimes, it’ll happen when I sit down at the piano and find a really nice chord progression, start messing around with melodies, and then the lyrics start to write themselves. I could be in the car or shower and get a really catchy melody stuck in my head, and I’ll grab my phone and record a voice memo immediately so I don’t lose it. Other times, I’ll have a concept in mind, or something happens in my life that I want to write about, and I’ll just start writing—not lyrics, just all of my thoughts. Then, I’ll go through and pick out lines and phrases I think could make good lyrics. That’s how “Learn My Lesson” happened.

PC: What does the year hold for you as we look ahead to the rest of 2019?
Rachel: The rest of 2019 looks amazing—I am so excited! I have a ton of new music in the pipeline, lots of fun performances planned, and I’m making the move out to L.A., so keep an eye out for some cool collaborations.

Pop Culturalist Speed Round

PC: Guilty pleasure TV show?
Rachel: Parks and Recreation or New Girl

PC: Guilty pleasure movie?
Rachel: She’s the Man

PC: Favorite book?
Rachel: The Da Vinci Code

PC: Favorite play or musical?
Rachel: Wicked

PC: A band or artist that fans would be surprised to learn is on your playlist?
Rachel: Anderson.Paak. I’m not usually into deep house music, but he’s so cool and funky.

PC: First album you bought?
Rachel: Probably Adele’s 19

PC: First concert you attended?
Rachel: Britney Spears and The Backstreet Boys

PC: An album that changed your life and why?
Rachel: I think Adele’s 21 because it’s when I really saw the cross-genre between pop and soul become commercial. I love that she stayed true to herself and her style. It’s also just beautifully written, so from a songwriting perspective, the depth and vulnerability of her lyrics was inspiring.

To keep up with Rachel, follow her on Twitter and Instagram, and pick up “Learn My Lesson” on Amazon Music, iTunes, or stream it on Spotify.