When singer/songwriter Rachael Yamagata was growing up, she went to all-girls school that she says warped her into the relationship-obsessed woman she’s become, at least in the lyrics of her songs. She began singing with a funk-crazed dance band called Bumpus while she was in college studying theater. While touring and recording with Bumpus, she was also writing confessional, deeply emotional songs that didn’t fit the band’s format. Happenstance, her first solo album, was a folk/pop charmer. Her tunes have appeared on The O.C., The L Word, Grey’s Anatomy and Alias, and Ray LaMontagne, Ryan Adams and Conor Oberst all expressed admiration for her vocal style. Having just issued Chesapeake (Frankenfish), Yamagata will be guest editing magnetmagazine.com all week. Read our brand new Q&A with her.
Yamagata: I am a travel lover. This makes me a good candidate as a musician for finding the right lifestyle because one is frequently “on the road” and living out of one’s suitcase. I run into trouble because I’m also sort of a pack rat and have not yet distilled my life down to the essentials—most of my work info is on paper and I lug binders around rather than transfer the whole lot onto a laptop. My desktop is a maze of icons and folders that stress me out on a daily basis. But, back to “the perfectly packed suitcase”: The whole idea of it is like a never-ending challenge that I continually face and long to master. I read the little sections of magazines where so-and-so describes what they need to go away for the weekend and marvel at the pictures of the sundress and chic glasses, day-to-night sandals and transitional jewelry. Most of the time I want to scream “Bullshit,” but am too busy taking mental notes to do so.
Touring/show life involves show clothes, promo/interview clothes, loungewear for the long drives, pajamas that are acceptable in front of the band or late night at a truck stop. I need some high heels, cuz I’m a shorty, but also the slippers or slip on boots or flip flops—something for quick excursions that never quite look right. And god forbid you’ve got to fit some xlr cables and guitar pedals into this thing. You’ve just given up a lot of space to do so. Running shoes and workout wear if you are being good, stage makeup, which gets more extensive then the little beauty bag I envy of most gals in their purses. Ziplock bags are good, but do I ever remember to get them in time to pack? No. Does one bring the monster suitcase that is a pain to lug around or settle for something smaller that gives less shelf life to the lesser amount of clean clothes one can bring? The weather and potential outing occasions can never be predicted so the mixing/matching thing of creating one’s wardrobe always fazes me. Even these posts of my favorite things that I’m writing about is a similar feat to making the perfectly packed suitcase. How does one choose? And this is why I envy those who can bring nothing. The ones who really have minimal baggage (and yes I’m fully aware of the psychological layers included in my perspective).
My friend and guru guitar player Chaves has it down. It’s almost a ritual to watch him unpack his suitcase. Everything is in a section and neatly arranged, and I think I’ve even seen plastic bags separating the T-shirts from the two pairs of trousers, light and heavier hoodie, pjs and occasional scarf. All in black, of course, which I think is his real secret. Everything will always match. At the end of the day it’s probably all about confidence. I long for this suitcase as I long for white walls and a few books and one coffee table apartment. And yet even though I never quite get it right, I feel more at peace when living out of a suitcase. I’ve left all my clutter at home and am left to my own internal devices to make each day a creative experience. My goal for this tour is a few staple show outfits and something comfy for casual wear. I have high hopes for when it comes time to try on everything and strategically add and subtract and finalize. The continual challenge that I will not sabotage with frivolous trinkets from city to city. I say this now …
Video after the jump.
