Lauren Rathbun Conjures the Sonic Signature of Classic Country with Debut "My Almost Lover"

New York, NY, December 04, 2018 --(PR.com)-- Say hello to “Goodbye.” Accomplished singer and songwriter Lauren Rathbun’s debut single offers a nod to classic country, with a dollop of Patsy Cline and a dash of Kitty Wells, beautifully threaded with her own contralto charisma.

The song, “My Almost Lover,” issued by New York City-based Young Pals Music to all major download and streaming sites, expresses the scenario of a romantic relationship that almost was—but doesn’t possess quite the mojo to take hold. Alongside a honky-tonk posse of musicians firing fiddle, steel guitar, and shuffling percussion, this old soul vocalist sings, “Goodbye my almost lover, there was almost a you and me.”

Indeed, the present honors the past in this radio-ready anthem, although Rathbun has spent a lifetime looking forward, with sheer career determination. Working her wares in theatre, opera, dance, and music, she grew up in Salt Lake City and attended the Madeleine Choir School, America's only liberal arts elementary school. Here, she cultivated an appreciation for classical music, via voice, theory and music history classes. She earned a Musical Theatre Performance degree with Honors from the University of Utah.

Now based in New York City, Rathbun has been quickly embraced by the arts community. She has performed at Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, Symphony Space, La MaMa ETC, and the National Opera Center, with companies such as New York Lyric Opera, Dell’Arte Opera Ensemble, Adelphi Orchestra, and American Tap Dance Foundation— and lightened the mood with musical theatre cabaret shows at the historic Duplex and Don’t Tell Mama NYC.

Adding to her charms, the artist has been a featured runway model in New York Fashion Week. This year she walked in Couture Fashion Week New York, Style Fashion Week, Plitzs Fashion Week New York, Fashion Gallery NYFW, and La Crème Modeling and Acting during New Jersey Fashion Week. She modeled for such renowned designers as Andres Aquino, Alessia Siena, Alexandra PopescuYork, Natasha Berezhnaya, and Bahmardi.

But it is music that makes Rathbun most at home. “Song can be uplifting, comforting, inspiring, even a catalyst for change,” she offers. “In both live and recorded performance, you never know how an audience will be impacted by the messages you carry, and the connections you create. It is in seeking this connection where writing music empowers me.” It is this passion that inspired Young Pals founder Ayhan Sahin to bring Rathbun to the microphone. She is now working on her debut EP, due for release in first quarter 2019. The label’s in-house posse of musicians is also on board: Mike Sorrentino on drums, Evan Gregor on double bass, Thomas Gallaher on piano, Emre Yilmaz and Gene Blank on guitars, and Sahin co-producing, with everything recorded live to best capture the spirit of traditional country. Joining for this project is also David White on steel guitar, Bobby Hawk on violin, and Boo Reiners on acoustic guitar. Backing vocals are provided by Demolition String Band's Boo Reiners and Elena Skye. Executive producer is Bernadette O’Reilly, who has worked for three decades in artist relations, management and hit song placement.

“Lauren’s personality was an immediate knockout, always positive and dynamic,” Sahin says. “When I heard her voice, so pure and organic, I was reminded of Joan Baez.” He notes that the first line of business was finding the appropriate style for her unique sonic signature. “We recorded tunes from Mariah Carey, Britney Spears, Karen Carpenter, Joan Baez, Patsy Cline and a bunch of original songs. Lauren was most comfortable with traditional country—and her direction became apparent. Then I added one more challenge to the process: I wanted her to write her own material. It turns out she is a natural, with an old soul emotional perspective and whip-smart intellect.”

“In discerning what it was about Cline’s music that attracted me, I found myself drawn to the heartfelt melodies and song structures,” Rathbun notes. “But what I love most about country music from that era—and even into the 90s, with Kathy Mattea and Highway 101—is how each song has a clear and captivating storyline. Coming from a theatrical background, and growing up in the West, this style of music plucks some serious heartstrings.”

For her upcoming EP, Rathbun adds that her goal is to take listeners on a journey. “Whether they relate, empathize, are moved by, or just enjoy, I am interested in the shared humanity between a songwriter, writing from a place of vulnerability and authenticity, and her audience. If I can reflect even the smallest bit of the best country artists, I hope my songs connect on a genuine level, both musically and through their heartfelt messages.”