RACHEL MATKIN
Rachel Matkin’s musical prowess has been turning heads since she was a little girl. Rachel was born in B.C.’s beautiful but remote Fraser Canyon, (I want to say something here about the lack of amenities which fostered a reliance on music for entertainment??? Details please?) and began singing with her father Dave at the age of two. Somewhere between the elementary school chorus and the living room singsongs, her family realized that the little girl with the captivating voice had a true gift. By the time she was thirteen she was playing bass & acoustic guitar, flute and autoharp; and singing in the Matkin Family Band alongside her dad and brothers Judd, and Seth. Rachel spent the next few years honing her vocal chops and developing a truly charismatic stage presence, performing with her family at various festivals and clubs. Rachel literally “grew up on stage”, opening for acts such as Dwight Yoakam, Patricia Conroy, Lisa Brokop and Ian Tyson.
Upon graduating high school in Kelowna, B.C. there was no question in anyone’s mind what Rachel Matkin’s path would be. Setting off for the west coast, she single-mindedly pursued her passion, and at eighteen, recorded her debut CD “Living Beyond Our Dreams”. The album’s release generated a chain reaction of awards, accolades and success….among them, a Juno nomination for "Country Female Vocalist of the Year" in 1996. That same year she also received the B.C.C.M.A award for "Album of the Year", and the "Ray McAuley Memorial Horizon Award". Soon after, Rachel caught the eye of MCA/Universal music group, and later that year inked a distribution deal with the label.
As an MCA artist, Rachel toured across Canada , headlining events such as the Merritt Mountain Music Festival, Dauphin Country Festival, and The Bud Country Festival. As well, the title track of her album was chosen to be on MCA's compilation disc "Untamed and True", and Sony’s "Faith and Healing" disc, which earned her a prestigious gold album. Between 1996 and 1998, Rachel had two top twenty videos on CMT, and three top 20 songs charting on Canadian country radio.
Fast forward to 2008. Over the past couple of years Rachel Matkin has undergone a metamorphosis, rediscovering the sense of purpose and focus that perhaps got a little lost in the flurry of expensive videos, glamorous photo shoots and record label turmoil. To put it simply, she’s fallen back in love with her muse, and in the process experienced a rebirth of her passion for the craft and the gift. As the lead singer of the band Steelewater she’s been up to her old tricks, walking off with awards for “Country Band of the Year” and “Female Performer of the Year” at the 2006 O.K.M.’s. But she knew that her heart’s desire was to get back out on stage as a solo artist, as Rachel Matkin. She also knew if she ever got the chance – or the compulsion – to make another record, it would be on her terms: personal, intimate, and shatteringly honest. Enter award-winning producer Tom McKillip, and a project was born……Rachel’s long anticipated sophomore album.
This time around, Rachel the woman is calling the shots. As an artist she knows what she wants, and has a crystal clear perception of who she is, and what her songs must be. She says “I want every note, every word to count. Only if they truly resonate with me, can they touch other people.” Acting as the consummate songcatcher, Rachel has listened to literally hundreds of songs over the past year to mine the gems that make up the new album – and her aim is true. Her respect for some of our finest songwriters is reflected in her choices…..from the poignant Patty Griffin - Gary Burr collaboration “Up and Flying”, to the sly and sensuous “You Were So Right” penned by songwriting great Radney Foster. Rachel’s also sharpened her own pen and written, or co-written several tunes on the album.