Rachel Fannan
Rachel Fannan (born Rachel Marie Williams) is an American singer, songwriter and musician from Los Angeles, California and is best known as the lead vocalist of the band Only You,[1] and formerly as co-lead vocalist of San Francisco psych-rockers Sleepy Sun, as well as for collaborations with UNKLE and progressive rock band Anywhere.
As a solo artist, Fannan has shared the stage with other prominent musicians such as Hunter Burgan[2] (AFI) and Carla Azar (Autolux), and released an album under the name Birds Fled From Me.
In November 2012, a version of the classic parlor song "Beautiful Dreamer" featuring Fannan on vocals was used in a commercial by Canon,[3] which went on to win the award for Outstanding Commercial at the 2012–2013 Creative Arts Primetime Emmys.[4]
Birds Fled From Me
Between 2006 and 2008, Fannan wrote and recorded solo material under the moniker Birds Fled From Me with the help of producer/engineer Maxwell Lewis Golding.[5] She self-released the album Deeper Lurking in 2008.[6]
Sleepy Sun
In 2007, after seeing psych rockers Sleepy Sun play at a California Bay Area festival, Fannan was invited to sit in with the band at a subsequent show, and was quickly recruited to be their co-lead vocalist. Her vocals are featured on the band's first two albums Embrace (ATP Recordings, 2009) and Fever (ATP Recordings, 2010).[7] However, Fannan left the band acrimoniously in October 2010 while the band was on tour.[8]
Collaborations
Soon after leaving Sleepy Sun, Fannan recorded some tracks with British trip-hop duo UNKLE. "Sunday Song" featuring Fannan was released as part of their 2011 Only The Lonely EP, and Where Did the Night Fall – Another Night Out album.
Following a short stint supporting Dinosaur Jr. frontman J Mascis,[9] Rachel was approached by Christian Eric Beaulieu (Triclops!) to collaborate on his new musical project Anywhere, which also included Mike Watt (Minutemen, The Stooges) and Cedric Bixler-Zavala (The Mars Volta, At The Drive-in).[10] Fannan sang lead vocals on their debut single "Dead Golden West" (Valley King Records, November 2011) and other tracks on their debut album Anywhere (ATP Recordings, 2012).[11] In late 2012 she toured as keyboard player and backing vocalist for The Fresh & Onlys.[12]
Only You
Conceived and created in late 2010, Only You is Fannan's L.A.–based retro band whose lineup has included a rotating cast of backing musicians.
In early 2012, the band toured as an all-girl group, with Fannan being joined by bassist Micayla Grace (Leopold and his Fiction), guitarist Cecilia Della Peruti (Gothic Tropic) and drummer Lia Braswell (Le Butcherettes).[13] Only You released their first single "Applying Myself" through White Iris Records in October 2012.[14] The B-side "Love Is Making Me Tired" was featured as a Daily Download on Rolling Stone's website.[15] As of 2013, the Only You lineup features Fannan, backed by an all-male band including lead guitarist Brandon Intelligator (Slang Chickens),[16] Jeff Lynne (Wires on Fire), and Patrick Taylor (Ceremonies).
Other musicians that have previously played with the group include Jon Sortland[17] (Cigar, Broken Bells), Rich Good (Kings & Queens, Psychedelic Furs), Evan Weiss (Slang Chickens, Wires on Fire), Dash Hutton (Slang Chickens, Wires on Fire, Papa), John Carpenter, and Lucas Ventura.
References
- ^ Pessaro, Fred. "Only You is Rachel Fannan who was in Sleepy Sun". Brooklyn Vegan. Retrieved 29 November 2012.
- ^ Roth, Chloe. "2/25: Rachel Fannan @ the Independent (w/ Young Prisms)". SF Gate. Retrieved 6 December 2013.
- ^ Beltrone, Gabriel. "Ad of the Day: Canon The Rebel T4i will inspire you to take the craziest photos imaginable". This Is Not Advertising. Retrieved 27 November 2012.
- ^ "and the Emmy goes to..." (PDF) (Press release). The Academy of Television Arts & Sciences. 15 September 2013. Retrieved 24 November 2013.
- ^ "Deeper Lurking". BandCamp. Retrieved 3 December 2013.
- ^ Joseph, Adam. "Love Bird". Santa Cruz Weekly. Retrieved 25 November 2013.
- ^ Pehling, Dave. "Sleepy Sun rises in the local psych scene". SF Weekly. Retrieved 3 December 2013.
- ^ Irwin, Ben. "Co-Lead Singer Rachel Fannan leaves Sleepy Sun". Pinpoint Music. Retrieved 26 October 2010.
- ^ "Broke-Ass Band Interview: Rachel Fannan (Formerly of Sleepy Sun)". Broke-Ass Stuart. Retrieved 8 October 2012.
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(help) - ^ Miranda, Patty. "Catching Up With Christian Eric Beaulieu of Anywhere". Paste Magazine. Retrieved 3 December 2013.
- ^ Kaye, Ben. "Click here to find out more! Anywhere announces debut album". Consequence Of Sound. Retrieved 21 March 2012.
- ^ Fortinsky, Kyle. "Rachel Fannan to play keys on The Fresh & Onlys' winter tour, releasing single with band Only You on 10/23/12". Retrieved 25 November 2013.
- ^ Roth, Chloe. "Lass Out Loud: Rachel Fannan on Her New Band, Only You, and Playing with "Three Vixen Warlords"". SF Weekly. Retrieved 25 January 2012.
- ^ Mandel, Hannah. "Exclusive Video Premiere: 'Applying Myself' Only You". Interview Magazine. Retrieved 12 November 2012.
- ^ Stone, Rolling. "'Love Is Making Me Tired' by Only You FREE MP3". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 30 October 2012.
- ^ "Indie is Pop: November Edition". White Iris Records. Retrieved 25 November 2013.
- ^ "On Baghdad by the Bay; August 18th: Interview with BAM! BAM!, Gun and Doll Show, and Only You". Archive.org. Retrieved 3 December 2013.