Interview With Rachel Koster
Name: Rachel Koster singer-songwriter
Location: Brisbane & SE Qld
Website: www.rachelkoster.com & www.myspace.com/rachelkoster
Rachel Koster Is:
Singer-songwriter. Writer for own releases and other artists as well as TV placement/advertising etc.
Arts worker: Teaching arts workshops (painting, singing, songwriting for beginners, creative expression etc).
Painter.
History in the industry:
I grew up in the country, we didn’t have music at school but I had a vocal group at school with a couple of mates where we experimented with writing songs and busking. Following school I joined a choir and had vocal tuition with a former student of Dame Joan Hammond and learned singing technique and harmony work. I was not a brave performer and gradually worked my way up to performing live solo. I wrote songs from year 10 onwards and got very much into the craft of writing songs a couple of years after finishing school. I did some backing vocal work and session work the first 8 years after school, sang in the choir, wrote songs for a musical which I also performed in before releasing my first single in 2001, a pop song called ‘December’. It was well received by ABC and got some interest. I wrote a lot of material following this and was commissioned to write a theme song for a highway promotion which was sung by country artist Darren Coggan and myself. I had a co-write with Blues artist Lil’Fi featured on her 3rd album, and over the time had Vanessa Amorosi demo a track of mine, so the interest in the industry was increasing. I continued writing, also penning a track with Stuart Fraser of Noiseworks, and wth a selection of like minded originals I took out a bank loan, relocated to Melbourne for a month, and recorded my debut album ‘Deciduous’ using what I considered my ‘dream team’ of favourite musicians in the industry excitedly with Bruce Haymes at the helm. The album was released independently, cruisy jazz/pop in flavour, and hit the stores in January 2007, embraced with warmth and enthusiasm. Since this time my energy has been focussed on getting other songs placed in television and screen and with other acts. I am keen to be approached by someone in the scene who can accelerate this process. At present I am teaching arts workshops to regional communities in Qld a project I am passionate about, as well as writing & co-writing, and working on my follow up EP to be released this year. The disc will be a quirky pop flavoured offering working which includes songs produced by the Leigh Brothers (Pseudo Echo) & Bruce Haymes (Professor Ratbaggy) and my musical sibling Luke Koster.
I’ve been kicking around the scene since 1994, but in the public eye since 2000 I guess.
Why did you delve into the creative industries?
Because I had a burning desire to be creative that could not be ignored and wanted to leave an impression through music on my world. Also to prove that rural folk could rise above their local expectations and 'fish bowl thinking' and do something arty and out of the ordinary, not to the usual recipe of their upbringing. I like to create something out of nothing, I think it's one of my best traits!
Was finding start up capital difficult?
YES! Let’s just say, ‘Deciduous’ will still have a financial black cloud hanging over it for several years to come, purely due to a lack of funds to promote it as much as required!
How many hours per week do you spend on your projects?
I would say between 30 and 40 hours on average give and take a few weeks here and there.
Do big businesses affect you?
Yes, they make it very hard for we small fish to penetrate the market, they have it cordoned off so much that it’s a case of knowing someone on the inside to get a look in. Even then, you are lucky if you make a ripple. It's really such a game of chance.
What are your future goals?
To get songs picked up for synchronisation on ads/TV/film and used by artists. To release an island inspired album, a long term dream of mine. To have a song featured on ‘Spirit of Christmas’ another long term dream of mine. Some further collaborations with artists of note.
What tips do you have for ‘making it in the music industry’?
Be reliable! Be constant, persistant & patient! Don’t burn your bridges.
What recent projects have you worked on?
Amongst the ever increasing flood locations, good things have also happened in the sunshine state last month. Music On The Wall workshops, funded by RADF have been enthusiastically attended accross South East Queensland over the past fortnight with four classes held in Mundubbera, five in Gayndah, two in Biggenden and a soon to be run adult class requested by parents of those attending. All budding artists from ages 7 to 17 have painted to a particular genre of music each day producing artworks inspired by the themes. These themes have included R&B/HipHop, Islander/Indigenous, African/Reggae, Motown/Soul, Distinctly Australian, as well as Pop with a positive message. All pieces will be exhibited sometime during the month of February in two towns, works grouped in their appropriate themes alongside their music, open for the public to come and view the hearts and thoughts of local youngsters of the area. Workshop convenors, artist & actress Amie Gilholme and singer-songwriter & artist Rachel Koster said "We have loved having the chance to ignite the creativity of the kids and see them walk through their imaginations. Their ideas have been really inspiring and they've worked so hard on their pieces. It was good also to see the classes lift the spirits of some children who had misfortune during the floods. One little girl who lost her home in the floods and had developed asthma from the damp and stress said on the second day of workshops 'I dreamt about the workshop all night last night', then promptly danced and painted for the next hour, which was so lovely to see and hear. Obviously it was brightening her day a little." The pair, who have also run salsa, acting, creative expression, singing and songwriting workshops over the past 4 years said that they hope to be able to provide more of the Music on the Wall classes in the future as they have been the best recieved workshops they have done so far. "It's great to be able to combine two of our favourite things; music and painting, to see others get motivated about both and hear styles of music they may not often listen to." 
Interview written by Austep Music, February 2011
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