Rachael Sage sometimes seems like a force of nature. A distinctive and expressive artist, she could also be considered as one of the individuals at the forefront of the women's movement, having founded her own record label, MPress, being named a six-time Independent Music Award winner, as well as a John Lennon Contest Grand Prize winner. She’s shared stages with an eclectic array of other artists, performed at the Edinburgh Fringe festival, SXSW, and toured internationally. Her brand of provocative alt-folk is both adventurous and appealing, as illustrated by the fact that her 2020 album Character brought her a charting single, "Blue Sky Days,” while her subsequent project, Poetica, found her fusing poetry, jazz, classical music and Americana in a way that brought to mind an unlikely alliance between Leonard Cohen and Laurie Anderson.

Her most recent efforts, aptly titled Another Side, finds her toning down her quirkier qualities and aiming instead for a more melodic perspective, sharing a series of songs that are delicate and demure, yet uplifting and optimistic all at the same time. True to form, it shows Sage conveying the warmth and conviction that’s so essential to her sound.

Rachael spoke to Lee and Billy on My Backstage Pass and shared her thoughts on her new album, her output in general and what it means to be not only an exceptional artist but the head of a record label as well. It’s a wonderful conversation, as bright and upbeat as the lady herself. Learn more about Rachael Sage at http://www.RachaelSage.com

Podcast producer and host Billy Hubbard is an Americana Singer/Songwriter and former Regional Director of A&R for a company that published a Grammy winning song. Billy is also a signed artist with Spectra Music Group and co-founder of the iconic venue "The Station" in East TN. Billy's album was released by Spectra Records in Oct 2023. Learn more about Billy at http://www.BillyHubbard.com

Host Lee Zimmerman is a freelance music writer whose articles have appeared in several leading music industry publications. Lee is a former promotions representative for ABC and Capital Records and director of communications for various CBS affiliated television stations. Lee recently authored the book "Thirty Years Behind The Glass" about legendary producer and engineer Jim Gaines.

Support the show

If you'd like to support My Backstage Pass you can make a donation to Billy & Lee's coffee fund at this link https://www.buymeacoffee.com/MyBackstagePass