Interview by Carol Wright | Photographer:
We got to chat with singer/songwriter Rachel Chevat AKA Rainlights, about her song “When My Phone Dies” and using songwriting to express her thoughts and feelings.
Have you had an interest in performing since you were a child?
When I was a kid I wrote stories and poems, but it wasn’t until I was 12 that I became interested in performing. I started playing guitar more seriously and would spend weekends in my room writing songs. Then when I was 16, I performed around the village in New York City. Those shows were mainly just me and an acoustic guitar because the music I wrote then was a lot folkier than what I make now. So my interest in performing came around when I was a preteen, but my love for words has always been in the picture.
Where did the moniker Rainlights come from? What inspired the name?
“Rainlights” stemmed from my Instagram handle, which is “Rachelrainlights.” When I was 14- ish years old and creating a personal Instagram account for the first time, I called it “Rachelrainlights” because I liked the way that lights shined in the rain. Time went on and I never bothered to change it.
Then recently one of my professors listened to my music, saw my Instagram handle, and suggested “Rainlights” as a moniker. Interestingly enough, the more I made music as Rainlights, the more I felt that the moniker not only sounded good but also resonated with me personally. There is something melancholic yet uplifting about the way lights glimmer when it’s raining, and I aim for my songs to reflect that feeling.
Tell our readers about “When My Phone Dies.” What story are you telling through the song?
With this song, I wanted to tell a story about the moment when distractions are no longer accessible. When you can no longer scroll through your phone infinitely and have to face the truths put off to the side for too long. I think in moments like this there can be fear but also beauty, and I hope “When My Phone Dies” is able to capture both sides of that coin.
Does writing music help you sort through your own thoughts and feelings?
Absolutely! Sometimes I find it hard to speak on the spot about how I’m feeling because I fear that my words won’t correctly translate the ideas I’m trying to convey. That’s one of the reasons why I love writing songs— you can explain yourself with words and sound. I have a deep appreciation for being understood and feel that I am able to show the most authentic parts of myself through music.
Did you have any specific influences when it came to how “When My Phone Dies” would sound?
Although there aren’t any individual influences I can think of, in general, I definitely found inspiration from movie soundscapes. This was especially true while mixing and producing this track. I love focusing on the white noise behind the instruments as much as I do the melodies themselves. In the background of “When My Phone Dies” you’ll find those non-musical textures— I used these audio clips to mimic the way the outside world slowly comes back to your head when you’re no longer able to glance at your phone.
What advice do you have for aspiring singers?
Make the music that makes you happy. As long as you feel good about what you’re creating, you will have the courage to keep moving forward, and that’s what counts the most.