Rachelle Van Zanten

"Rachelle van Zanten has a strong diverse vocal performance on this guitar centric blues inspired folk rock album. Rachelle also plays the guitar amazingly, which is prominently showcased throughout the album, especially strong and powerful during the first minute and a half of the track Black Horse. The track Halo is the focus track/lead single for the album’s release (you can listen to the track on the left) and it’s a great choice given it’s upbeat catchy arrangements and energetic instrumentation." Read it!

Posted by Rachelle at 2:51 PM | Permalink

Former Painting Daisy Rachelle van Zanten amps it up on her second solo release. The snarl of dirty blues heard intermittently on her 2006 solo debut, Back To Francois, takes centre stage on her new collection, ten tight tracks featuring her searing, ever-improving slide guitar work. From the glorious yowl of opening track "Showerhead," van Zanten is a fiercer creature this time around. There's no hint of the sunny bluegrass featured prominently on her debut. Even her quieter tracks are buzzing with feedback, electronic loops and grimy guitar fuzz. Everything's a little fraught in van Zanten's Garden. Native chants lend atmosphere, at times, and the light ping of keyboards occasionally offers a little relief from the tension. Highlights, though tough to choose, include the nicely galloping "Figure It Out" and "My Country," an ode to the beleaguered Skeena Watershed. (Independent)

Posted by Rachelle at 10:51 PM | Permalink

Morfee Mountain Music Fest
Mackenzie, B.C.
www.morfeemountainmusicfest.ca

Posted by Rachelle at 11:47 AM | Permalink

Rocker Girl Camp
Trans- Alta Arts Barns
10330-84 Ave
Edmonton, AB
www.rockergirlcamp.com

Posted by Rachelle at 9:14 AM | Permalink

Fast Trucks- by Mike Ross

SHE CAN SLIDE: OPENING THE SHOW WAS A LOCAL GIRL (FORMERLY, ANYWAY), RACHELLE VAN ZANTEN, WHO CAME OFF LIKE THE FOLKIE VOTED MOST LIKELY TO CHAIN HERSELF TO A TREE. SUCH WAS THE PASSION OF HER EARNEST POLITICAL SONGS BEMOANING THE DESTRUCTION OF THE ENVIRONMENT. SHE ACTUALLY SAID AT ONE POINT THAT SHE WROTE A PARTICULAR SONG TO HELP "SAVE THE WATERSHED." AT LEAST SOMEONE'S TRYING.

Accompanying herself on guitar...Van Zanten played a few tunes from her brand new album, Where Your Garden Grows, as well as stuff she did while living in Edmonton. Aside from demonstrating perfect folkie "cred" and a voice that's only improved over time (and over adventures in Europe and elsewhere), she showed another side of herself last night -- as a pretty decent slide guitar player.

It takes a lot of guts to do that when you're opening for Derek Trucks.

Posted by Rachelle at 8:21 AM | Permalink

Rocker Girl Camp
Altadore Baptist Church
4304-16th Street S.W.
Calgary, AB
www.rockergirlcamp.com

Posted by Rachelle at 9:17 AM | Permalink

Opening for the Derek Trucks Band was a complete dream come true. I am an even bigger fan now that I know how sweet he and his band are and how dedicated they are to their musical careers. I also wanted to say a huge thanks to Chris Trucks for selling my merch.
I went back to the forests of northern B.C. for one more push. It was incredible and so far removed from the Rock World that I couldn't have been happier. It's all about the balance. A big thank you to Tree to Tree for supporting artists and athletes and hoodlums from the street. Hee hee.
Now I am in full on Rocker Girl Camp mode. My staff and I are currently mentoring the girls in Calgary. They are writing, jamming, performing, laughing, doing Yoga, and much more. I LOVE IT! Next week is Edmonton, my old stomping grounds. I plan on visiting all of my favorite joints, biking my favorite trails, and then rocking with the girls during the day.

Posted by Rachelle at 11:50 AM | Permalink