We met up with Rachael Lampa during GMA 2005 and chatted about the early days, her recent travels, and how she's growing musically and spiritually.
MQ:
You were just recently in Europe.
Do you want to talk about that trip - and what it was like reacting to your fans from different parts of the world?
CV:
Yeah. I just got back from there a couple of weeks ago. It was my second time there. So, I had already done the whole tourist kind of thing - looking at all the landmarks and stuff. Yeah, it was really just about the culture and talking to people there. It was cool because I've been really opened up to and more receptive to other ways of doing things. I just took time to sit down with people and talk with them. It's cool because their culture there is so much different. Like, here, sometimes I feel like people are so set in their ways. You know, "If you don't do it this way, then you're wrong" or "This is the only way to live the Christian life" or "This is the only way to do the whole dating thing" and stuff like that. So, it was cool to just get some different input about ways people were brought up, and the different values they have there. It's a very loving culture, for sure - and a very open culture. I felt like I could just sit there and just talk about whatever is going on in my life. I loved it.
MQ:
Do you like to travel. Do you have a routine to keep focused?
RL:
Yeah, I love to travel. It's definitely, really tiring. And I'm kind of scared of airplanes - (laugh) I can't really act on that...I have to fly! I'm not the best at being way up in the air. But as far as routines and stuff, it's just a priority to spend time with God - no matter what. No matter how busy the day has been, no matter how early your flight is, or how late you get in, whether you're in the word for an hour, or just on your knees for an hour - it's a priority for sure.
MQ:
What would be your favorite place or venue to perform - somewhere where you've really felt comfortable?
RL:
Actually, kind of my most memorable place I ever performed was in Rome. I was there for world youth day in 2001. So, the Pope was there and all that kind of stuff. Before the main event, we did this show out in a piazza. So it's like this outdoor place - totally Italy - with brick roads, all that kind of stuff. There were 40 thousand people there and they were from 150 different countries. And so, obviously, a lot of people had no idea what I was saying or singing about! (laugh) But, it was just cool to know that there were all these people there and everybody was there for one reason - because they wanted to worship. I was singing songs in English and people had their hands up - just worshiping because they knew God was around, and God was there. It was a really touching time for me.
MQ:
Along that same line, do you have a story or reaction from your music that made you realize that this is what you should be doing - what God has called you to?
RL:
Yeah! I've gotten some really cool emails and things like that - stories and letters have been really touching. But, I think the thing that really had the most effect on me was early on in my career, when I kind of not really sure what I was in for - I knew I was doing 'the singing thing' and the concerts, and all that stuff. When I really realized that it was way bigger than me, I was doing this show and there were a lot of young girls there - screaming, and all that kind of stuff - and there was this one girl who you could totally tell that she didn't want to be there. She had her head down the whole time - rolling her eyes, and stuff like that. I saw her and I just, kind of, kept looking at her. While I was singing I just started praying, "Help me to say something to really get her attention." So, I just started talking about just a little more personal things for me - about insecurities and trying to find yourself, and stuff like that. And she picked up her head, and she started nodding her head. Then I saw her cry a tear. I was just like, "That's awesome." That's what helps me to put everything into perspective and reminds me of what I'm in this for.
MQ:
Let's talk about songwriting - I know there's no vending machine you can go to - but is there anywhere you go for inspiration?
We've heard about how important cell phones can be, or notepads - or voicemail.
RL:
Yeah - totally! The little memo record thing... (laugh)
I have actually written a song on the barf bag in the airplane! Yeah - I said "barf bag"...(laughing)
Umm, there is definitely no routine for me. I just have always...things just pop into my head - I'll write on my hand or something. And then sometimes, you set a meeting with someone and say, "Let's write a song" and sometimes something good comes out of that too. So, it's always different for me. Things just come randomly, I guess.
MQ:
Who would you consider a mentor - whether it's in your spiritual life - personal, or in your career? Who have you looked to for guidance and direction?
RL:
I know some people are always like, "Oh, that's so typical" or whatever...but my mom, for sure. Obviously, she knows me better than I know myself. She's such a warrier. She's so gentle and approachable, but she's also so strong. She's a tough girl. It's cool to be able to have that outside perspective on my life right now - career-wise. In my age-group of friends, to have someone with that wisdom is priceless.
MQ:
How do you see technology affecting music - whether it's production, or creation?
RL:
It can be used in an awesome way - and a really bad way too. The bad way meaning: making someone who can't sing sound like they can! (laugh) (We've all heard those stories.) But obviously, it definitely makes the recording process a lot faster - when you can piece things together right away, and all that kind of stuff. I personally think that just the real old stuff - what's on the records - is just awesome when you can hear it all the way through and you know that that person sang that all the way through - and they killed it. Even if they do have a little bit of an off-note, that just makes it even more real. I definitely wanted to do that on this record. There are some spots where it was like, "Whoaaaa!" (laugh) But, you can feel it. It's authentic. That was a major goal with this record - not only in the writing and the production, but technically - as far as the singer. I want it to sound real.
MQ:
I've got to admit we listened to your CD last night in the hotel...
RL:
Oh cool!
MQ:
We had to be careful because we wanted to turn it up loud!
RL:
Nice....blastin' it - havin' a party!
MQ:
We had to get a little inspiration for the interview today.
RL:
Cool! That's awesome.
MQ:
The album is really cool because it's got so many different styles on it. What's influencing you musically? What do you love - like, if I were go to your CD collection, what would I find? It seems like so many artists are kind of locked in - that's not a bad thing necessarily - it's just that they've got one style. Where this last album is great. It has it all.
RL:
Yeah - that's the thing. I like so many different kinds of music. When I was younger, I listened to Mariah and Whitney. And then a little bit later, I went through a rock phase - I thought I was a skater (laugh) - and I was listening to rock bands. And then it was more like singer/songwriter kind of stuff. Through that all, I've listened to Stevie Wonder non-stop. So, Stevie Wonder is kind of the root of my music - where I group up - that funk/soul kind of stuff. That's definitely my heart. Especially vocally - to sing everything soulfully, that's kind of my thing. But, I just like to experiment. I love horns. I love trumpets, and all that kind of stuff. I love guitars. I just kind of threw it all in there...and just created, I guess.
MQ:
Cool. You're one of those few artists that has appeal on the inspirational stations as well as the pop/rock.
RL:
I can't leave the big...tear ballads. (laugh) I love singing those.
MQ:
Yeah, those are great. They seem to really touch a lot of people. You've got a good following among that crowd (INSPO) too.
RL:
Thank you. That's cool.
MQ:
What do you see the role of music in society? We live in a very entertainment saturated culture with everything from cable TV to video games. What do you see the role of the artist right now?
RL:
I think it's really cool that we can at least acknowledge that's where everybody is leaning towards - which is entertainment for sure. For you, and different magazines, TV shows, and radio stations to say, "Ok, this is what people are paying attention to. Let's get in there."
Michael Tait - he's a good friend of mine - and he always says, "Sometimes the best way to a kid's heart is through their headphones." It's so true, you know? You start to hear things and you start to block it off. Your parents are like, "Don't do this..." - and you still do it! But sometimes when you hear a song, you are just taken aback and are like, "God is so in that!" and He is trying to tell me something. Music can do powerful things to you. It's really cool to be able to be a part of that and to partner with people who want to help you get that out there. I think we have the potential to do really awesome things with music and entertainment.
MQ:
When was the first time you performed as a child - in front of people?
RL:
I was five years old actually! I was singing at my church and it was a pretty big church - maybe 500, or 600 people - and it was for my sunday school class. I had a little solo and had to play the Glockenspiel - (laugh) - it's like a little xylophone. I just had to hit two notes - and I kept missing the note and hitting the wood. So, it was a mess - and I was so nervous! (laugh) But my mom was like, "Just do it, and you'll never have to do it again if you don't want to." So, I was like, "Ok, ok." So, I did it and came off stage and said, "I want to do it again ... tomorrow!" Ever since then, I just loved - I think what it was - the power of communicating. Just to be up there and everybody was listening all of a sudden. You could say either something really good or totally waste somebody's time! (laugh) That was a really cool thought to me. Obviously, when I was five I didn't think that deeply, but that just kind of put that desire in me.
MQ:
What's God teaching you right now? Whether it's with music, spiritually ... whatever you want to share.
RL:
I think right now it's openness. I've only been in this for five years, but it's so easy to get jaded - in Nashville. Not just musically, but also personally with people. You're like, "Oh, everybody's in it for the same reason. Everybody is stuck in the same mindset." No! Let's lift each other up. Let's talk about real things and be honest and talk about things that aren't so great in your life. Let's help each other out. Let's grow. For a long time, I just kind of cut myself off because I was like, "Oh, nobody really wants to know the real me" and stuff like that. Just recently, God's been like, "You have a lot of work to do on yourself - so let's not be talking about who everybody else is. Just be open, be honest...talk to me." Talk to God, and talk to each other. I think everybody will benefit from being a little more real with each other.
