Rachael Brady

"Rachael Brady is a passionate person - passionate about life, passionate about music, passionate about people. Her songs are full of soul and her voice full of hope....."
November 30 2005 - Daniel Crichton Rouse for Time Off Street Press

"She quotes the Buddha, Gandhi and the Dalai Lama, among others, on her MySpace page, and posts blogs that bring attention to all sorts of global injustices. Oh, and there’s the music, too, which carries her message so well it might make a convert of even the most carnivorous souls. But you don’t have to be a card-carrying PETA member to appreciate the acoustic, hippie sounds emanating from the rhythm driven guitar of Nigel Kerr, who accompanies Brady’s emotive vocals and daring lyrics.

So we’ve had our share of girl folk singers- the Ani Difrancos, the Violeta Parras and their legion of followers, who’ve sung the anti-establishment, political and feminist stuff to us time and again. And imitation does beget nausea. Haven’t we had enough?

Not really. In the case of Brady, I wouldn’t say she’s following some sort of formula; it does appear she is genuinely all about her philosophy. It helps when the message is refreshed for us. And, yes, someone sang about this stuff in the past, but that doesn’t make the message any less relevant and it doesn’t mean sexism, pollution and oppression have been snuffed out by the chantings of feminist pioneers.

In fact, even though I’m eternally enamored with “Gracias a la Vida,” “Radical Idea” is definitely one of my theme songs right now."

March 13 2006

- Freshout Media : Rosa Diaz

"Last Month's Highlight"
Rachael Brady
April 24th, 2009

"Having moved to Katoomba that day, Rachael came onto stage very keen to have a good time with her new neighbours. And boy, did she deliver. With her lovely tunes and beautiful, powerful voice, she had the crowd the whole night.
We had such a great night and were really impressed with Rachael's honesty and skill. We can't wait to see her again, and we're sure it won't be too long, now that she has decided to call this part of the world 'home'."

- Clarendon Guesthouse

Somewhere Sunshine (Indie)

Shame on us for neglecting this album for so long. CD’s often arrive by the boatload and occasionally fine albums by fine artists get lost. Thankfully, Somewhere Sunshine found us. Recorded by eco-warrior, and former Brisbane-ite, Rachel Brady, Somewhere Sunshine is one of the best albums to have come out of our fair state in the last five years. Recorded by Paulie B [ex-George], Rachel wrote the bulk of the tunes with her long-time musical cohort Nigel Kerr. Often performing as a duo, the pair have played everywhere from local haunts to MySpace connecting tours of the USA. The album itself has an ensemble feel and the liner notes reveal a litany of percussive and stringed instruments. The horn lines are all real and there’s a nice Rhodes that occasionally rises to the surface.

Opening with the self-penned ‘Am I Disturbing Your Sleep’, Brady starts with a subtle mood and closes the tune with a boom. Her upper register is on display on ‘26’, while the bossa nova swagger of the title track echoes Norah Jones. On ‘No Small Thing’, Brady begins with a nod to Portishead style production, before finding her way in more bluesy terrain. She’s certainly her own woman, but there are textures in her voice that recall everything from Joni Mitchell [‘Prodigal Daughter’] through to Kate Ceberano [‘The Story Of Who We Really Are’]. In short, Brady’s made a superb album, with a positive undercurrent, that deserves to be heard. Check it out. 4/5

(Sean Sennett) - TOM Magazine

Rachael Brady, a gifted, organic and relatively underexposed Australian performer, has just unleashed her debut album 'Peace by Peace'......She has inspired me personally, to step up to the challenges that face humanity and to do everything in my power to answer the global cries of SOS. Everything about the lady is unforgettable and I forecast her success to be huge...if not revolutionary.
:Selena Wallace, Editor, MediaGeisha.com
- MediaGeisha.com

"What an amazing woman, singer & songwriter. Her tunes tell a tale and take you on a journey.
No festival is complete without Rachael in the line up.

Thanks for helping to make Fusion a huge sucess!" - Fusion Festival

Saturday Tracks with Mardi Lumsden
Nov 15, 2008

15th November Rachael Brady

I hate it when musicians are labelled as one of Brisbane’s “best kept secrets”.
I do it myself… all the time.
It is not the label that I hate, it is the concept that there are such amazing musicians in this town and most people have never heard of them!
Rachael Brady is one of those musicians.
Well actually, Rachael and her musical collaborator Nigel Kerr.

Two weekends ago Rachael, Nigel and band released a new album, Somewhere Sunshine at the Brisbane Powerhouse.

Rachael’s voice is rich with experience, passion, intelligence, and kindness.

The music is a mixture of jazzy acoustic guitar, strings, and quirky off beat sounds courtesy of producer Paulie B (ex-george).

It is a mixture of folk, soul, roots, politics and life experience all rolled in to a beautiful packaged album.

Somewhere Sunshine is their second release.
Peace by Peace was released in 2006 and a track was included on the Hopesmiths Project album in 2007.

Somewhere Sunshine available at myspace.com/rachaelbrady.
Digital downloads available from late November. - 612 ABC Radio

Rachael Brady is one of Brisbane's best kept secrets, who (kind of sadly) we're going to lose if she keeps churning out high quality like this. But on the other hand, you can't deny her debut album, Peace by Peace, is nothing short of exceptional. Her voice transcends magnificent while delivering 11 raw, unapologetic originals revolving largely around her impassioned beliefs in various social issues surrounding our modern lives, much like a young Joan Baez or Bob Dylan might have once upon a time. The ideas presented during the course of these songs are truly inspiring and I encourage all to have a listen. 'Radical Idea' speaks of peace and the heavy-hitting past innovators while 'Dreamin' is an airy sense of freedom. Inspired, inspiring, raw, unapologetic and impassioned: Rachael Brady is poised to become one of our greats. 4/5 - Ben Preece for Time Off Street Press : June 21 2006

ONE DOESN'T have to be Bono, George Harrison, or Sir Bob Geldof to make use of music's vast potential as a means of philanthropy - just ask Rachael Brady.

The young Brisbane singer-songwriter's passionate blend of gentle yet hard-lined folk melodies and virtuous lyrical themes culminated in the recent release of debut album Peace By Peace.

But it's the inclusion of her previously - unreleased tune 'Again And Again' on the upcoming Hopesmiths Project - a compilation bringing hope to kids with cancer and their families by raising money for Childhood Cancer Support Inc - that's currently got Brady excited.

"I'm lucky to be a part of it," Brady exclaims. "Philanthropy is a vital part of my musical and spiritual journey and I like being asked to make these kinds of contributions - they give meaning to the music and they grant me a sense of purpose.

"If music can do more than simply entertain then it should. Music that teaches, uplifts, connects or comforts on a profound level has a greater value than music designed simply for entertainment.

"If you can be the impetus for productive thought or positive change then I say embrace that responsibility with love and compassion, knowing that you're benefiting humanity and your own evolution."

Brady's passionate live performance has already seen her tour North America, and she's recently expanded her live band.

"My music has an acoustic simplicity," Brady explains, "but I enjoy incorporating other musical perspectives. It's the difference between having a great two-way conversation or a really great four-way conversation. Sometimes you want that extra dialogue.

by Justin Grey for Time Off - Time Off Street Press

“Brady would sing the kind of lullaby dreams are made of….Her voice is rich and sultry, like a clarinet come to life…” - wordpress.com