@RHLevitin

Late-night ramblings and random thoughts from a singer-songwriter-musician.

[carrielovesconcerts]

Date: March 14, 2015

Venue: Charleston Harbor Resort & Marina Pavilion / Mount Pleasant, SC

One of the coolest things about an event like Off The Record is the opportunity for new and/or emerging artists to take the stage and for more established artists to perform with each other and cover...

[rhlevitin-blog]

Thanks to Carrie Medders for her kind words regarding my performance at this year’s OFF THE RECORD Fest this past weekend in SC. What a blast that was! Much love to the OTTER fam! #NoLie

[tiffanyb]

It’s that construction, that careful deliberation and decision-making, of pop music that many people use to completely discount an entire genre. Take one of the biggest criticisms of Beyoncé after this year’s Grammy debacle with Kanye West: people declared earnestly that Beck deserved to win Album of the Year because he played 14 instruments, while Beyoncé needed four people to write a song. That criticism ignores the impact of both artists, and instead places their value on a countable element. It ignores natural talent. It also assumes that Beyoncé needs more writers because she is not as good an artist, not because writing a pop song is an inherently more competitive, and thus more difficult, task. To stay a pop star requires the same amount of ability as any other genre, but not all of it is musical…. Pop music is discounted because it requires more than musical ability to succeed. It requires a certain look, a certain sound, a certain willingness to transform and push limits that other genres don’t.

People were surprised at Lady Gaga’s great voice at the Oscars. They shouldn’t have been. - Vox

YES, all of this. The article uses Lady Gaga as an example, but is a great breakdown of the artistic pressures in pop music as a genre beyond simple musical ability, and how those are used to discount pop artists musical abilities (ESPECIALLY female artists), even when they undeniably have them.

Which is also why those “Beck plays 14 instruments while Beyonce just sings” arguments about the Grammys made me nuts. Beck also doesn’t have to develop an effects-laden stage show, sing his songs while dancing athletically in high heels, AND look good in a leotard while he’s doing it. And if you say, “but none of those are about the MUSIC” I will sock you while screaming, “BUT THEY ARE ALL ABOUT THE ‘ARTISTRY,’ JACKASS.”

(via tiffanyb)

I concur with Tiff here.....

[bookmania]

from The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd

[imnot12]

[fyeahgleeclub]

[rhlevitin-blog]

FRIDAY, JANUARY 9 [EDITOR’S NOTE: An audio description for tonight’s episode of GLEE is available on the SAP Audio Channel.] ** TWO-HOUR SEASON PREMIERE **—“GLEE” - (8:00-10:00 PM ET/PT) CC-AD-HDTV 720p-Dolby Digital 5.1 HOME SWEET HOME ON THE ALL-NEW TWO-HOUR SEASON PREMIERE OF “GLEE” FRIDAY, JANUARY 9, ON FOX Final Season of GLEE Begins Tonight! After Rachel’s humiliating failure as TV actress, she comes home to Lima to figure out what she wants to do next. Upon discovering that Sue has banished the arts at McKinley, Rachel takes it upon herself to reinstate and lead the Glee Club. Meanwhile, Blaine, no longer in a relationship with Kurt, has moved home to coach the Warblers while Will is coaching rival Vocal Adrenaline, and Sam is the assistant coach for the McKinley football team. Then Puck, Quinn, Santana, Mercedes, Brittany, Artie and Tina all return to McKinley for Homecoming and help Rachel and Kurt recruit for the new glee club in the all-new, special two-hour “Loser Like Me/Homecoming” Season Premiere episode of GLEE airing Friday, Jan. 9 (8:00-10:00 PM ET/PT) on FOX. (GLE-601/02) (TV-14 D, L) Cast: Lea Michele as Rachel Berry; Chris Colfer as Kurt Hummel; Darren Criss as Blaine Anderson; Chord Overstreet as Sam Evans; Jane Lynch as Sue; Matthew Morrison as Will; Amber Riley as Mercedes; Naya Rivera as Santana; Kevin McHale as Artie; Heather Morris as Brittany; Jenna Ushkowitz as Tina; Dianna Agron as Quinn; Mark Salling as Puck.

I'm actually super excited for the sixth and final season of Glee. I have a feeling it's going to be good. I'm ready to feel ALL the feelings!

[rhlevitin-blog]

These guys knocked this acoustic performance of Tony Lucca's new song "Imagination" from his forthcoming self-titled album outta the park. There's Keaton Simons on guitar, Steve Bentz on bass, and Brian Shanley on the percussion. 

If ya dig it, pick up the full-band version on iTunes! http://bit.ly/TLimagination

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wz9V2aMIPOk

[bookmania]

Why do you go away? So that you can come back. So that you can see the place you came from with new eyes and extra colors. And the people there see you differently, too. Coming back to where you started is not the same as never leaving.

Terry Pratchett, A Hat Full of Sky (via bookmania)

--

This is EXACTLY how I feel about having visited my grade school that I attended from kindergarten to 8th grade this past week. It felt amazing to go back to that place and walk the empty, peaceful halls on a Friday night. I've grown so much as a person since I graduated all those years ago and it was invigorating to be back in the space and remember how far I've come.

Life is a funny thing, really. But I do love getting older. The stories only get better as time passes.

[signoradavinci]

Everyone that knows me knows that I LOVE live music and supporting local talent, as much as I can. And those that have asked me how I discovered certain bands, after I brought them out to a show they’ve enjoyed, a frequent answer is The Circus Life Podcast.  I fell in love IMMEDIATELY with The Cowards Choir and was introduced to bands that I’ve gone to see multiple times, like Black Masala and M.H. & His Orchestra. The show isn’t all about music, though - justintrawick and Sean Russell’s conversations with guests are usually very amusing. :) I’ve now been on the show twice, and loved it both times.  If you missed listening to my first appearance, Episode 60, you can find it here: http://hwcdn.libsyn.com/p/f/c/3/fc326ef771944fc2/The_Circus_Life_-_060.mp3?c_id=7645627&expiration=1414684830&hwt=4df2e749c77087f87de98191d72b55d3 Here, I get to introduce TCL listener’s to my perspectives on the Ebola epidemic, talk Halloween hazmat suits with Sean, and accidentally? call Justin “ma’am. And more. toddcarey is the musical guest - he does some fun acoustic stuff, including a new song not available yet (it put a huge grin on my face the first time I heard it), and is absolutely adorable in person. rhlevitin is also another guest, and gives a teaser for her new single that is out now. Have a listen. : )

[rhlevitin-blog]

Got to talk about my new single SECRET'S SAFE on The Circus Life Podcast a few weeks back along side the song's producer Chris Rafetto. Give it a listen!

http://traffic.libsyn.com/thecircuslife/The_Circus_Life_-_062.mp3

[rhlevitin-blog]

You know my new single SECRET'S SAFE? Well, it was inspired by the Off The Record Festival! AND -- the folks over at OTR are looking for someone to fill the LAST performance slot for 2015 in Charleston, SC. Honestly, I'd love to do the job! #NoLie HELP ME PERFORM AT OTR 2015 by posting on their FB wall at http://facebook.com/offtherecordfest and you can see me + all the awesome faces pictured here including Tony Lucca, Matt Duke, Honor By August,Andrea Nardello, Todd Carey, and more!

[rhlevitin-blog]

If you like songs about the beach, friendship, and swapping stories over late nights spent drinking whiskey...this might just be the song for you...

Now available on iTunes

[tiffanyb]

When people have been shattered, there’s no future, unshattered version of them waiting to emerge. There is only the possibility of their being formed into something new, whole, even beautiful, of the pieces.

Carolyn Hax, on supporting someone through grief (via tiffanyb)

I know exactly how that goes and I concur with the statement completely. 

[rhlevitin-blog]

Well how about that... it's been ONE WEEK since SECRET'S SAFE was released. I celebrated by scribbling things in the sand along Santa Monica Beach in California. Pick up a copy of the track here --> itun.es/i6gC2cm

[micdotcom]

[imperf3cti0n-deactivated0629201]

nice

[rhlevitin-blog]

Have you heard my new single SECRETS'S SAFE yet? It was inspired by theOff The Record Music Festival and is now available via digital distrubitors. Check it out and please SHARE the links you deem most appropriate 

iTunes: http://goo.gl/Gvtt0X // Amazon: http://goo.gl/MlLd90 // Spotifyhttp://spoti.fi/1ydjX9g

Official Music Video: http://youtu.be/F_Y8yrinqVg

Hear more about the track and how it was recorded on The Circus Life Podcast: http://traffic.libsyn.com/thecircuslife/The_Circus_Life_-_062.mp3

[rhlevitin-blog]

http://youtu.be/F_Y8yrinqVg

--

Support this single by purchasing it on

Amazon here: http://goo.gl/MlLd90 or iTunes: http://goo.gl/Gvtt0X Lyrics & Music by Rachel Levitin Arranged by Rachel Levitin & Chris Rafetto Recorded, Mixed, and Produced by Chris Rafetto Mastered by Alex McCollough at Yes Master Studio Performed by: Rachel Levitin - Vocals, Acoustic Guitar  Evan Field - Electric Guitar Chris Rafetto - Bass, Keys, Drums

[rhlevitin-blog]

The DC music blog and podcast HOMETOWN SOUNDS premiered my debut music video on their site today. 

Here's what they had to say:

Journalist and frequent We Love DC contributor Rachel Levitin has honed her singer-songwriter chops over the last few years through frequent appearances with Justin Trawick’s We Are The 9 showcase. Her new single “Secret’s Safe” debuted on last week’s episode of Justin’s podcast The Circus Life and released just a couple of days ago on Amazon and iTunes.

Since we are such fans of music videos, Hometown Sounds snagged the opportunity to premiere the music video for “Secret’s Safe”. The song was inspired by a beach trip to Kitty Hawk NC, so director Mike Shubbuck took Rachel and his camera to the beach at Sandy Point State Park in Annapolis. Rachel says, “I was at a bachelorette party Saturday night but woke up bright and early at around 3:45 AM to get cleaned up and picked up by Mike before driving to Annapolis. By the time we got there at about 5:45, 15 minutes before the park’s scheduled opening time, there was a line of cars at least 10 deep waiting to get into the park. We were a little shocked by it was one of the last weekends of the summer so that made sense. Once we got through the line, we just started shooting along the shore line with the rising sun behind me. Mike got all the great views as the pinkish-red orb in the sky came up along the blue sky and water line while I was looking at the Bay Bridge or kids playing in the sand. One of my favorite parts of the shoot was that kids who were playing by their parents stopped for a good 15 minutes and listened to me perform the song a few times.”

Rachel Levitin’s debut 7 song EP, produced by Dave Mallen of Innovation Station Music and Metro Music Source, is due for release in early 2015.

Check out their site HERE 

You can also pick up my debut single SECRET'S SAFE via Amazon: http://goo.gl/MlLd90 or iTunes: http://goo.gl/Gvtt0X

Be sure to check out Episode 62 of The Circus Life Podcast to hear more about the track and how it was recorded: http://traffic.libsyn.com/thecircuslife/The_Circus_Life_-_062.mp3 THANK YOU FOR ALL OF YOUR SUPPORT SO FAR!