Rachel Mintz has a unique vocal, writing and production style that varies relatively wildly yet seamlessly between dream, art and baroque pop to dark synth alternative. Rachel grew up in Miami, FL with a musical family and performed in one of the world’s best children’s choirs. She went on to lead gritty rock and punk bands which metamorphosed into her more polished solo work accomplished with the help of Grammy winner Ian Cross (Usher, Janet Jackson, Lauryn Hill, Gwen Stefani) as well as Blake Harden (Kanye West, Kendrick Lamar, Travis Scott, Sza), Shane Smith (Dirty Projectors, Los Lobos, Robert Francis) and several other industry pros. Since her solo debut in late 2019, Rachel placed two tracks in the iTunes top 100 charts in less than a year and has received international critical acclaim. Rachel will be releasing multiple singles and an EP in 2021 including videos directed by Anthony Sylvester (John Legend, Channel Tres, James Blake, ASAP Ferg, Yaeji, IDK). Rachel was kind enough to chat with us about her musical influences, what’s going on in the industry, and where she will be in a few years.

Classic Entourage Mag: Thanks for sitting down with us! How are you?

Rachel Mintz: I’m okay thank you and yourself?

CE Mag: Doing very well! Can you talk a little about your musical process? How do you create your art?

RM: Sure! There isn’t really one fixed way. A lot of the time it starts with a melody in my head. That melody might turn into the vocal, guitar, keys, etc. Occasionally I will sit at an instrument and something will just come out. Honestly those are some of my favorite ways to write. I’ve been challenging myself to write at different instruments including drums which feels very primal to sing and play drums at the same time. After I write one part of the melody I’ll then start coming up with other instrumental arrangements. Ian Cross – my partner in crime – helps me lock it all down.

Fuck it, now I don’t care and recognize the most important thing is the music. 

Rachel Mintz

 CE Mag: What does music mean to you? 

RM: Everything? Ha! No really, I mean truly I feel the more time goes on the closer I feel connected to it. It really helps me cope. For example today I just kept repeating a hook idea in my head over and over and over. It’s meditative for me. It declutters my mind. Obviously I feel this way about listening to music just as much as I do creating it. Like I really can’t imagine life without it. 

CE Mag: What are some things you want to see change in the industry?

RM: Oh geez do we really have time for all that? I mean there’s a lot of problems with the industry. First I think the #metoo movement pretty much glossed over it completely. We glorify artists who’ve done horrific things to women, girls and boys and its not even a secret – it’s public knowledge. There is so much gender discrimination, bias, sexual harassment, misogyny from the small fries to the big potatoes and it really needs to change. Second, streaming services need to stop taking advantage of writers and artists and pay their fair share, especially the big behemoth of them all. Those are the two most glaring issues. Fortunately, finally there’s a light being shined on both. I often say artists are treated like race horses in the industry – everyone’s betting on their horse. 

CE Mag: What are some challenges that you have been through with your musical career?

RM: Honestly I’d say my biggest challenge has been self doubt. I wasted way too much time mulling over the I’m-not-good-enoughs. I’m too this, I’m too that, I’m not enough of this. Fuck it, now I don’t care and recognize the most important thing is the music. 

CE Mag: What inspired you to get into music? 

RM: My dad. He plays guitar and sings and can play every single Bob Dylan song. I was always into the performing arts as a kid and throughout school. I had the most incredible music teacher for many years and I believe he played a major role as well. Once I got into my late teens/early 20s I realized I wanted to put all my focus into creating my own art. Music has always been a welcome escape for me ever since I was a small child. 

CE Mag: What are some of your goals for the next year? Next 5?

RM: I just want to keep pushing myself to create better and better music. To keep honing my craft and hopefully create something others can enjoy. 

CE Mag: Is there any advice you would like to give future musicians trying to jump into the industry?

RM: Don’t let other people’s negative feedback deter you! There’s so many haters! You cannot let them determine your path. Focus on the songs, the rest is superfluous. Make music that you would actually listen to and hopefully love. 

CE Mag: Thanks for chatting with us! What’s a fun fact that most people don’t know about you?

RM: Thank you for having me! We have a little goldfish pond and two adorable call ducks! They lay just as many eggs as chickens. They’re so incredibly adorable and have really made the pandemic easier and more enjoyable  for us. Their names are Alice and Georgia (named after the state after it/they saved America). They are endlessly entertaining!

Check out one of her Latest Tracks below!