Rachel Platten heats up at radio - charting at Hot AC and Pop Singles

New York-based musician Rachel Platten debuted last week on the Billboard Pop Singles chart at #39 with her single “1000 Ships,” moved from #39 to #38 with a bullet on the BDS Adult Top 40 Chart this week, and also debuts at #40 with a bullet this week on the Mediabase Hot AC Chart – a huge accomplishment for an artist on an independent label (Rock Ridge Music). In addition to being in rotation on Sirius/XM’s The Pulse, the song is receiving airplay across the country (see full station listing below), including major markets such as Boston, Washington, DC, Detroit, Denver, Portland, OR, Kansas City and others. “1000 Ships” is Platten’s first single from her debut full-length, “Be Here,” which came out on April 26, 2011. She plans to hit the road extensively this fall, including outings and dates confirmed with Matt Hires (Midwest and East Coast), Keaton Simons and Michael Tolcher (West Coast), and Ingram Hill (Southeast) (see full tour schedule below).

Says Platten of her busy tour schedule: “I can't wait to hit the road this fall. Having the opportunity to be out with such talented artists like Matt Hires, to watch my single build momentum at radio, and to meet new fans, is still a bit surreal.”

Platten has been touring heavily in support of her album since its release in April, hitting the road with Lucy Woodward, Bess Rogers, and labelmate Tony Lucca. With music that the LA Music Examiner says is “artfully crafted and joyfully accessible,” Platten, who meshes catchy piano hooks with her unmistakably soulful, and uplifting voice, creates music that boasts elegantly crafted, deeply melodic, intelligent songwriting, resounding with echoes of the Beatles and Carole King, Kate Nash and Regina Spektor: her music is infectious, raw, and powerful.

In June, Platten had the honor of performing at the White House as part of a special event for Girl Up

(www.girlup.org), a United Nations Foundation campaign which mobilizes girls in North America to help adolescent girls in developing countries. Also over the summer, Platten’s jingle has been featured in the Dixie Paper Plates ad campaign (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7h4_qNtGM4M), and she performed at Ann Taylor’s Holiday Clothing Line Sneak Peek event in New York City.

Selling out clubs along her rigorous tour schedule, Platten infuses a unique love and passion into each and every one of her performances. Boston born and raised, Platten was classically trained on the piano from a young age and started performing while in college and studying abroad in Trinidad. Naming influences such as Toots & The Maytals (who she was asked to tour with in 2006), Elton John, Carole King, Billy Joel, Lauryn Hill, and The Beach Boys, Platten attempts to do what she feels these artists do so beautifully - infuse often weighty, serious subject matter with light and melodic intelligence that is both instantly catchy and uplifting. Woman’s World praises her album for its “…quirky, upbeat tunes that blend soulful piano work with danceable pop sounds,” while Collected Sounds calls “Be Here” “a gem.”

RACHEL PLATTEN TOUR DATES:

09/16 Oil City, PA Clarion University
09/20 Syracuse, NY SUNY
09/24 Isle of Palms, SC Hotel Carolina

with Ingram Hill

09/26 Orlando, FL World of Beer   

09/27 Lake Mary, FL World of Beer
09/28 Tampa, FL Common
09/30 Atlanta, GA Peachtree Tavern

with Keaton Simons & Michael Tolcher

10/05 San Diego, CA Anthology
10/08 Los Angeles, CA Hotel Cafe
10/09 Hermosa Beach, CA St Rocke
10/10 Ventura, CA Zoey's
10/12 Sacramento, CA Marilyn's on K
10/13 San Francisco, CA Hotel Utah
10/15 Portland, OR Roseland
10/16 Seattle, WA Tractor Tavern  

10/20 Grayslake, IL Lancers

 

with Matt Hires

10/25 Minneapolis, MN Bunkers
10/26 Chicago, IL Schuba's Tavern
10/27 Akron, OH Musica
10/28 Buffalo, NY The Town Ballroom
10/29 Cambridge, MA Middle East
10/31 New York, NY Joe's Pub
11/01 Philadelphia, PA World Cafe Live
11/02 Vienna, VA Jammin Java
11/05 Atlanta, GA Smith's Olde Bar
11/08 Orlando, FL The Plaza Live
11/09 Tampa, FL The Orpheum

RACHEL PLATTEN SIGNS WITH ROCK RIDGE MUSIC

New Album “Be Here” Coming In April

New York City-based musician Rachel Platten has signed with Rock Ridge Music and plans to release an album, entitled “Be Here,” on April 26, 2011.  With music that the New York Post says “blends sweet delicateness with pluck,”  Platten has just embarked on an extensive tour (sponsored by Ecosystem Life) leading up to the release of her record (see tour dates below).  Says Platten of the signing:  “I really think I've found my ideal partner. I love how innovative Rock Ridge is, and how much they believe in what I have already created. It's amazing to have such mutual trust, and I can't wait to get the record out to the world.”

Says Rock Ridge Music CEO Tom Derr of the signing:  “Rachel fits the Rock Ridge world like a glove. Our combined hard work will prove successful.”

Platten, who blends catchy piano hooks with her unmistakably soulful, and uplifting voice, creates music that boasts elegantly crafted, deeply melodic, intelligent songwriting, resounding with echoes of the Beatles and Carole King, Alanis Morissette and Regina Spektor:  her music is infectious, raw, and powerful.  Selling out clubs along her rigorous tour schedule, Platten infuses a unique love and passion into each and every one of her performances.

Boston born and raised, Platten was classically trained on the piano from a young age and started performing while in college and studying abroad in Trinidad.  At the urging of co-workers at the record label where she was interning, she began writing her own songs and became a background singer in a Soca band (with her first performance being in front of 100,000+ fans at Trinidad's annual Soca Monarch Finals). She was instantly hooked, and felt that she'd found her true calling in songwriting and performing.  Naming influences such as Toots & The Maytals (who she was asked to tour with in 2006), Elton John, Carole King, Billy Joel, Lauryn Hill, and The Beach Boys, Platten attempts to do what she feels these artists do so beautifully - infuse often weighty, serious subject matter with light and melodic intelligence that lifts the listener up and is instantly catchy.