About

rachael cantu

songwriter / composer / performer

AS HEARD ON

Rachael Cantu is best known for her evocative blend of indie rock delicately infused with distinctly powerful pop vocals, gentle melodies and heartfelt lyrics. Rachael’s music has been widely celebrated by press including SPIN, Stereogum, Buzzfeed, Refinery29 and Rookie.

Rachael's career first took flight when she joined Tegan and Sara on the road as their opener on multiple tours. That led to solo shows in major cities across the U.S. and Canada and additional gigs with such notable artists as Ben Lee, Mirah, Fun. and opening for generational powerhouses like Pat Benatar, Peter Frampton and a 2009/2010 tour opening for the legendary B.B. King.

Rachael’s music has been featured on TV shows Private Practice, Pretty Little Liars, Shameless, Royal Pains, Shades of Blue and Degrassi, to name a few. In addition to her own music, Rachael, along with musician Harlan Silverman, released a studio project called "Little Brutes," a five song indie-pop EP. Their song "Make Our Own Way" was commissioned as the theme song for the NBC/Ellen Degeneres produced sitcom "One Big Happy" and was accompanied by a music video starring the star of the show, Elisha Cuthbert.

In 2018, Rachael composed the score and wrote an original song for ‘Zero Weeks’ - a full length documentary film about America’s paid leave crisis. Rachael’s third solo EP, Love Rush, was released in Spring 2018 along with the release of three queer themed music videos (see below). The record is a lush, evocative collection of deeply personal songs about love and loss. Love Rush reflects a shift into pop territory, which, in part, was inspired by her volunteer work with the Songs For Kids foundation, an organization that brings musicians into children’s hospitals to sing popular music.

Currently, Rachael is working on an original musical and was commissioned to compose a song for Apple+’s original animated musical comedy, Central Park, Season 2.

Cover photo by Shervin Lainez

[Official Music Videos]