Rachael Yamagata Returns With New Studio Album and Tour

Singer-songwriter, Rachael Yamagata, will release Chesapeake, her first studio album in three years on October 11, 2011. The album, produced by John Alagia, producer of Yamagata's Happenstance album as well as albums from Liz Phair, Dave Matthews Band and Jasaon Mraz, will be self-released on her very own Frankenfish Records. Twelve days following the release of Chesapeake, Yamagata will hit the road on an extensive tour of the United States starting on October 24th in Portland, Maine at the Port City Music Hall and wind down on December 22nd in New York City at City Winery (Dates Below).

For Chesapeake, Yamagata recruited her "dream team" consisting of Victor Indrizzo (Sheryl Crow) on drums, guitarists Mike Viola (Candy Butchers), Michael Chaves (John Mayer), and Kevin Salem, (Dump Truck, Yo La Tengo), cellist Oli Kraus (Sia, Duffy) and Tom Freund on the upright bass. The result is an eclectic collection of songs projecting Yamagata's newfound optimism and hopefulness, showcasing her sultry and smoky voice, rich, layered harmonies, striking ballads and soulful grooves.

"The songs on Chesapeake were collectively inspired by the people in the room," said Yamagata. "I insisted on a creative scenario that became only about the music makers themselves, giving it a spirit of generosity in the music making which made it easy to tap into a 'flow'. When it was right, we all knew it was right. There was a balance that gave these songs a lift and yet still retained their richness. Magic maybe."

Listeners can get a taste of what's to come by downloading the song "Starlight" by visiting http://snd.sc/n6ajQf.

Yamagata also teamed up with PledgeMusic (www.pledgemusic.com), the leading international direct-to-fan platform for musicians raising funds to record and tour. On July 7th, Yamagata launched her PledgeMusic Campaign (www.pledgemusic.com/projects/rachaelyamagata), and thanks to a devoted global fan-base she quickly exceeded her goal.

"It was a leap of faith to trust that all of the pieces would somehow fall together even if it seemed we were crazy. And they did," adds Yamagata. "I am grateful beyond words to my fans and PledgeMusic who have helped bring Chesapeake to life."

Praised by critics for her intimately confessional songwriting and arrangements, Rachael released her last album, Elephants...Teeth Sinking Into Heart on Warner Bros. Records in October of 2008. Entertainment Weekly called her delivery "Gorgeous" and Rolling Stone said her "soulful, cigarette-scratched voice and melancholy lyrics recall Fiona Apple and PJ Harvey." She toured extensively in support of the album playing to crowds throughout the United States, Europe and Asia. The New York Times hailed "With a deep, melancholy, breathy alto and a fondness for slow, sparsely chorded songs, Ms. Yamagata has a lot in common with Fiona Apple, Norah Jones and Sarah McLachlan. And in her upbeat moments she can sound like a fuller-voiced Liz Phair or a less volatile Chrissie Hynde." Songs from the album appeared in various television programs and films including Grey's Anatomy, Private Practice, Brothers and Sisters and more. She also made an appearance in the season finale of 30 Rock in 2009.

Yamagata emerged in 2005 when songs from Happenstance and her self-titled debut EP, turned up in such films and television shows as Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants, In Her Shoes, Prime, How I Met Your Mother, Nip/Tuck, One Tree Hill, and The O.C., on which she made a guest performance. The single "Worn Me Down" was a Top 5 Hit at AAA Radio. She also appeared on albums by Ryan Adams, Ray LaMontagne, Jason Mraz, Bright Eyes, and MAndy Moore. Her tours have included runs with Adams, LaMontagne, Moore, Liz Phair, Gomez, and Sara Bareilles, as well as playing shows with Pete Townsend, Aimee Mann, David Gray, Damien Rice, and Air.

This August, Yamagata will appear on the soundtrack to The Muppets with her version of Gonzo's "I'm Going To Go Back There Someday."

RACHAEL YAMAGATA 2011 TOUR DATES

OCTOBER

24th - Portland, ME - Port City Music Hall
25th - Burlington, VT - Higher Ground Lodge
27th - Ithaca, NY - Deliah's
28th - Northampton, MA - Iron Horse
30th - Boston, MA - Brighton Music Hall
31st - Philadelphia, PA - World Café Live

NOVEMBER

1st - Washington, DC - Birchmere
2nd - Baltimore, MD - Sound Stage
4th - Brooklyn, NY - Knitting Factory
5th - Pittsburgh, PA - Club Café
6th - Cleveland, OH - Beachland Ballroom (Small Room)
7th - Detroit, MI - St Andrews Hall
8th - Chicago, IL - Logan Square
10th - Milwaukee, WI - Turner Ballroom
11th - Minneapolis, MN - Fine Line
12th - Davenport, IA - Redstone Room
14th - Kansas City, KS - Record Bar
16th - Denver, CO - Larimer Lounge
18th - Salt Lake City, UT - State Room
20th - Spokane, WA - A Club
21st - Vancouver, BC - Media Club
22nd - Seattle, WA - Crocodile
23rd - Portland, OR - Doug Fir
25th - San Francisco, CA - Slim's
27th - San Diego, CA - Casbah
29th - Los Angeles, CA - Troubadour
30th - Tuscon, AZ - Crescent Ballroom

DECEMBER

2nd - Austin, TX - Parish
3rd - Houston, TX - Fitzgerald's Upstairs
4th - Dallas, TX - The Loft
5th - Tulsa, OK - Cain's Ballroom - 2nd Stage
7th - St. Louis, MO - Blueberry Hill
8th - Nashville, TN - 12th and Porter
9th - Birmingham, AL - Work Play
10th - Atlanta, GA - Vinyl
12th - Charleston, SC - New Brookland Tavern
13th - Charlotte, NC - Visulite Theatre
15th - Chapel Hill, NC - Local 506
16th - Charlottesville, VA - The Southern
17th - Louisville, KY - Headliners
18th - Columbus, OH - The Basement
20th - Hoboken, NJ - Maxwell's
21st - New York, NY - City Winery
22nd - New York, NY - City Winery

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