New York, NY (Top40 Charts) Rachael Sage has released the second single, "
Character", off her upcoming album by the same name. Composed during her recent recovery from cancer, the track opens with fuzzy electric guitar and a slew of questions poignantly focused on the age of social media that feel especially timely as we approach a national election. The sound is a sharp contrast to Sage's last single and shows off her impressive range as both a producer and instrumentalist.
"I don't think I understood the full meaning of the word 'character' until I was suddenly required to redefine my own. I had to decide very quickly what kind of patient I wanted to be, and in the process I learned how resolute I could become." - Rachael Sage
With Rachael Sage's song "
Character", the NYC-based songwriter ventures into edgier, alt-rock terrain, backed by lead guitarist
James Mastro (Ian Hunter) and drummer Doug Yowell (Joe Jackson). Propelled by Sage's grungy electric guitar playing and Grammy® Nominee Dave Eggar's melancholic cello, "this timely and timeless anthem questions the definitions of societal cornerstones such as faith, integrity, authenticity and freedom" (Ghetto Blaster). A fitting track for the beginning of a new decade, the song was produced by Sage and Grammy® winner Andy Zulla (Rod Stewart,
Kelly Clarkson).
Sage is currently on the road supporting 80s music icon
Howard Jones, after accepting his personal invitation to join his US Acoustic Trio tour. The 33-date tour began in January and sees her supporting in cities that include Los Angeles, Austin, St. Paul, New York City, and Miami.
Since founding her own label MPress Records two decades ago, NYC-based alt-pop artist and multi-instrumentalist Rachael Sage has steadily released over a dozen albums of vibrant, dynamic music with poetic, image-rich lyrics spanning subjects as wide as her inspirations. Often designing her own album artwork, costumes and musical instruments, Sage has toured with an eclectic list of artists including Ani DiFranco, Beth Hart,
Sarah McLachlan, Judy Collins and
Howard Jones. Raised mainly on classical music, doo-wop, '70s folk and British pop, Sage possesses a rare combination of musical ingenuity, visual dynamism and emotional insight. Her songs are cinematic and beautiful, and her production layered, lush and laced with orchestral surprises.
Sage's forthcoming album Character is a song cycle written as the beloved indie artist was recovering from endometrial cancer in 2018. Throughout the revelatory 12-song collection, Sage reflects on such concepts as gratitude, compassion, authenticity and optimism, questioning what comprises character - and lifting herself up in the process.
Balancing the poetic lyricism for which she is best known with a newfound reverence for music as a healing tool, Sage is in the midst of a creative renaissance, merging her experience of survivorship with both music and activism. Character is a musical testament to the miracle and mystery of the human experience, in all its inspiring, painful and confounding glory. Sage muses: "I hope these songs honor just how resilient the human spirit can be, and remind us that sometimes 'it's ok to not be ok'."
For more information on Rachael's upcoming US & UK tour dates, visit rachaelsage.com.
