by Molly Reeves

Rachael Jenkins is something else. If you haven’t listened to this soulful powerhouse, then we can’t be friends (kidding…kinda). Jenkins has been singing her whole life but got serious about music in 2020. During the Pandemic, Jenkins started releasing covers on TikTok, where she quickly gained a following. 

Her first song, “Untitled,” is about the hardships the singer has experienced, and like much of her work, “Untitled” is autobiographical. I sat down with the Utah-born singer, and after a few shared laughs and a mutual love for Taylor Swift and Phoebe Bridgers, we talked about her life and how she became the musician she is now. 

Tell us a bit about yourself.

Rachael Jenkins: I’ve never lived outside of Utah, born and raised! I’ve been making music my whole life but started taking it seriously a few years ago. 

What was your first experience with music, and what made you think, “Wow, I want to do this”? 

Jenkins: Growing up, all I wanted to do was sing. I wanted to audition for American Idol, X Factor, etc. I wanted to be a singer; that was my dream. As I got older, I didn’t know if that was realistic. I was a Mormon until I was 16 or 17,  and [leaving] that was a pretty big identity shift. There were a few years where I went from wanting to be a singer to not knowing what I wanted to do because I didn’t even know who I was! In 2020, I started taking music more seriously. I posted on TikTok because there was nothing to do, and that’s where I got the opportunity to post my first single, “Untitled.” That set me up with the opportunities that I’ve had recently. I realized I could do this! It’s not my day job or anything. But  I could do more [with music] than I thought. As a kid, you think it’s superstardom or nothing, but there are a million different ways to be a musician.

What are your musical influences? 

Jenkins: Phoebe Bridgers is a big influence on me; I love her! I’ve just never heard someone write [music] like that. There are so many people out there who write beautiful music, but I’ve never listened to music like hers. I was like, “holy shit, you can write [music] like that!?” I love Ariana and Muna, but with Phoebe Bridgers, I realized there is a place for people who write very personal songs.

How did your record label discover you? 

 Jenkins: Tom Rosenthal owns the label and is an indie artist out of the UK. He started it in 2021; I was the first artist they signed. I was posting on TikTok, and several record labels reached out. I didn’t know what I was doing! I was scared, and I didn’t want to commit to anything. I didn’t understand at the time that there are huge record labels that can offer you a whole spectrum of options. Tom dmed me, but I didn’t see it.  At the same time, Doddy, another musician,  followed me [on Instagram]. Doddy is a big inspiration to me, so I asked her for advice. She brought it to my attention that Tom reached out and suggested I talk to him because he was starting his own record label. So, I reached back out to Tom. Talking to him felt good; it felt right. 

  Sort of like home, in a way?

 Jenkins: Yeah, exactly! I like his approach to owning a label because he is invested in the artists. He’s trying to make sure they’re not taken advantage of while trying to get people in the door. 

What are you working on now? 

 Jenkins: I would love to put out a larger,  more cohesive body of work.  I might do a couple more singles. I have so many demos I’m sitting on!

What is your creative process? Is it very autobiographical?

 Jenkins:  It’s very autobiographical. I want to push myself to write things that don’t necessarily pertain to me. But that’s just where I always came from with songwriting. I’ve always loved to write in general. My day job is as a freelance writer; I love to write! I tend to stick to very personal things. I don’t think I’ve written a song that isn’t about my life.

 It’s also therapeutic! 

 Jenkins:  When people say it’s cathartic, it really is. It’s cool to be able to take your life and put it into something creative. Even the stuff that hasn’t been released, it’s cool to have these pieces that are such a time capsule. 

Is music a long-term goal for you?

 Jenkins:  I’ve been having a whole crisis about that. Lately, I don’t really know! (laughs) [But] I love it, and I love performing and writing music. Meeting and connecting with people in the industry has been the best part of it. But I’m a big homebody, so the thought of ever having to tour for long periods, while it sounds incredible, might be too much right now. I love a slow life. I think I would like to do it full-time, but I am also ok with the trajectory that I’m on right now. It’s allowing me to create some sustainability. There’s no wrong way to do it, but if I decide to go full-time, it must fit into my life. 

You can stream Rachael Jenkins on Spotify! 

*Cover Photo by Jade Cromer