Rachel Taylor-Beales + Bowen

Rachel Taylor-Beales is a singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist whose music intersects elements of Americana, folk, roots, and blues. Described by BBC Radio 2’s Bob Harris as ‘highly recommended’, Rachel’s songs draw inspiration from folklore alongside her own life and keen observation of the world around her, often advocating for issues of social justice, human rights, and ecology.

With four solo albums already under her belt and extensive touring experience throughout the UK, Europe, America, and Australia. Rachel’s fifth album, Out Of This Frame was released on Hushland Records, 24th November 2022 and was nominated as a best of 2022 album by Folk Radio UK, with tracks having been selected for Tom Robinson’s BBC Radio 6 mixtape, as well as featured by BBC introducing in Wales.

Out Of This Frame was recorded and co-produced in collaboration with fellow artist and husband Bill Taylor-Beales in their South Wales based studio. The twelve tracks on the album traverse a lyrical blend of alt-folk-baroque-americana-blues and jazz infused melodies. Joined by Lucy Rivers on violin and additional vocals, Stacey Blythe on accordion, and guest appearances from Rachel and Bill’s daughter Polly, who adds spoken word elements on two tracks, while Rachel and Bill provide the rest of the musical accompaniments. From lyre-harp to kalimba, multiple guitars, to steel tongue drum, pianos, organs, banjos, bass, harmonicas, percussion and even a hint of soprano saxophone, Out Of This Frame weaves a kaleidoscopic carousel of sound and stories.

Alongside her musical career, Rachel’s creative work includes writing, theatre-making, and painting. Her recent gig-theatre show, Stone's Throw, Lament of the Selkie, was nominated by Wales Arts Review as a 'best of show' for 2020. In recent months Rachel has focussed on creating a series of paintings to accompany songs from Out Of This Frame. These are included in a lyric/notes companion book to the album, and will be available in both hardcover and digital format through https://racheltaylor-beales.bandcamp.com

Rachel spent the first 22 years of her life living between England and Australia, (with 6 relocations between countries, 23 different houses and 7 different schools) during that time - but has spent most of her subsequent years living in Wales. In 2012 her music career suffered a hiatus when she sustained severe injuries after falling from a high stage onto marble flooring while on tour in Italy (also six months pregnant at that time). Several years and much physio treatment later Rachel was very glad to be able to return to playing music. She currently lives in Carmarthenshire with her husband, her daughter, a dog, a cat, 8 fish, 3 shrimp and 2 water snails.

Support comes from Bowen

Bowen are a husband and wife acoustic duo who play beautifully crafted songs that tell a story.

With soaring harmonies and a rustic quality, their live shows are brimming with honest and heartfelt performances which are sure to delight audiences.

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