MUEN: YOUR NEW CD IS DUE OUT OCT. 31!! HAS IT BEEN ALOT OF WORK ACHIEVING THIS?

RACHELLE: YES!! It has been a lot of work, I call it the labor of love. In the last year we planned a three song release, just as that was complete we added the other songs until we agreed to focus on these six. I am super excited to have completed this part and move on to all the other aspects to let people know about it. It's my debut EP available on the 31st of October. Great day! Halloween is my favorite holiday.

MUEN: WHO ARE THE MUSICIANS WHO APPEAR ON THE ALBUM, WE SEE THE MENTION OF HANK SHERMANN, TELL US WHO HE IS, AND ARE THERE OTHER MUSICIANS YOU'D LIKE TO MENTION?

RACHELLE: The musicians on the album are experienced guys having many records and world tours under their belts. Hank Shermann is my main music man, he is a great composer and guitar player, known from Mercyful Fate, which is heavy metal. I needed that raw, edgy guitar power behind my songs, he delivers the right rock sound I was looking for. Bjarne Holm is the drummer, he's got that great 70's feel and sense of rhythm. Johnny Gaz, the bass player, contributes his funky energetic licks. We went to Sweden to Mix and Master the songs with famous producer, Berno Paulsson.

MUEN: DO YOU PLAY ANY INSTRUMENTS AT ALL? OR IS IT STRICTLY WRITING AND VOCALS FOR YOU?

RACHELLE: My first instrument is my voice. I'm thankful I have a good pitch, it makes it easier to pick things up and learn different instruments. It helps my song writing, I get a lot of music ideas in my head and record them. I own and play an acoustic guitar and a Fender Strat. It's self taught and by ear, so you'll get no technical solo's from me. : )

MUEN: WHAT SORT OF THINGS GIVE YOU THE INSPIRATIONS TO WRITE THE TYPE OF SONGS YOU WRITE?

RACHELLE: Everything! Seriously, I carry a pen around. I'm always thinking in terms of writing a song. I love to focus on my feelings in the moment and explain it. I believe what I feel are things people relate to and we've probably all been there before. As I'm out in public, people inspire me, what they look like, what they say, what drives their passions. I tune into my senses at that moment and hear words or try to capture the right phrase or melody to describe it. I often jump out of bed and have a pad next to me to write or record my ideas on the spot. I live to create and inspire. If I can wake up a few people or shape their mood as music does for me, I feel very successful.

MUEN: WHO PLAYS WITH RACHELLE RAMM WHEN SHE PERFORMS LIVE - DO YOU SWITCH MUSICIANS EVER?

RACHELLE: I am a solo artist for the purpose of freedom and flexibility for all. I use the same guitar & bass player when I play live shows. There are a few different drummers I work with based on their availability.

MUEN: TELL US ABOUT YOUR 15 YEARS OF COMPETITIVE SWIMMING, WHICH EXPLAINS YOUR VERY ATHLETIC PHYSICAL APPEARANCE, BY THE WAY...

RACHELLE: I learned at a young age what belief, dedication and some talent can do. I'm such an energetic driven person, I need physical activity to get it out. I began swimming when I was 6 years old and continued through college, qualifying for the nationals team. Breaststroke is my best event, followed by freestyle, Individual Medley containing all 4 strokes, and the team relays involving 4 girls total. It feels great to work together as a team and win.

MUEN: WHO ARE SOME OF YOUR FAVORITE ARTISTS FROM THE 70'S?

RACHELLE: Pink Floyd, Led Zepplin, Heart, Kiss, Blondie, Black Sabbath, Bad Company, Fleetwood Mac, Aerosmith, AC/DC, Pat Benetar, Olivia Newton John, Steve Miller Band, Van Halen.

MUEN: WHERE DO YOU PERFORM MOST OFTEN? IS IT THE DROP-INN? TELL US A LITTLE ABOUT THE ATMOSPHERE AT THAT CLUB, AND WHAT OTHER TYPES OF ARTISTS DO THEY BOOK?

RACHELLE: As I'm in Copenhagen, DK finishing my Debut EP release plans, I play different music scenes around Denmark. I've traveled around to different cities but am most often in Copenhagen. Drop Inn is a well known hub for musicians, established back in the 70's. They have live music every night for people looking to be entertained. We crank it loud and they love us for it!

MUEN: CAN YOU GIVE US YOUR OPINION ON MAINSTREAM MUSIC AND WHAT'S CURRENTLY BEING PLAYED ON MUSIC TELEVISION THESE DAYS?

RACHELLE: GASP! First off, let's focus on music videos, as it's rare to see these days. : ( I like Rock artists best of all. There is not enough dirty Rock bands these days. I vote for more new acts that resemble the old Guns n Roses, Soundgarden and the Foo Fighters.

MUEN: YOUR SONG "NOT ORDINARY" OF COURSE HINTS OF DISSATISFACTION WITH MAINSTREAM, BUT THEN THERE ARE ALWAYS THOSE WHO WHO MIGHT CONSIDER YOUR OWN MUSIC AS MAINSTREAM ROCK... WHAT IS YOUR OPINION ON THAT AND ALL THE CONSTANT RANTING ABOUT WHO DOES WHAT IN MAINSTREAM MUSIC?

RACHELLE: I create music as an expression of my feelings and beliefs, of course reactions will follow. People define music based on many different genres and labels these days. It's rather confusing as I see it. All I can say is I make what feels and sounds good to me. I categorize myself as Alternative Rock. If people want to label it as dance music, metal or pop, it's their prerogative. I am here to sing, write music, and do what I love, people can define it as they like. After all the song "NOT ORDINARY" is about going your own way and doing what you want!

MUEN: WHEN WILL THE VIDEO FOR "PASSION" BE AVAILABLE, AND ARE THERE MORE VIDEOS IN THE WORKS?

RACHELLE: PASSION was the first video idea we began to shoot. Now we shifted the focus to filming and releasing the "CITY OF SIN" and then "NOT ORDINARY". Shooting has taken place for all three of these songs but the first release will be "CITY OF SIN". They're a blast to do, I'm theatrical, and enjoy capturing spontaneous moments.

MUEN: WHO IS BEHIND THE PRODUCTION OF THE VIDEOS? WE READ AT YOUR WEBSITE THAT THE SHOOTING FOR SOME SCENES FOR THE "CITY OF SIN" VIDEO WERE DONE IN BOTH BERLIN AND NEW YORK! ALSO, I SEE ANOTHER VIDEO HERE WHICH MAY BE YOUR LATEST.. "ROCK N ROLL LOUD & PLAY HARD?"

RACHELLE: I work with some experienced programmers who help with the video production. Hank also has a good eye and helps coordinate with the guys. The beginning of October we are traveling to Berlin to finish the final scenes for "CITY OF SIN". New York & Los Angeles, before the end of the year, are planned as promo tours and a video shoot. Rock n Roll Loud & Play Hard! Is my catch phrase. That could be a damn good video though!

MUEN: THANKS FOR TAKING THE TIME TO ANSWER THESE QUESTIONS, AND PLEASE LET US KNOW ABOUT ANY OTHER NEWS YOU WANT TO SHARE IN THE FUTURE!

RACHELLE: My pleasure! ThanX for taking the time to create some cool questions. ROCK N ROLL LOUD & PLAY HARD!!!! Cheers, Rachelle

www.rachelleramm.com
www.myspace.com/rachelleramm

Interview by G. Cataline