Rachel Lark – comedy punk for weird people and weird times
Interview conducted on October 05, 2020
By Dan Locke
Rachel Lark’s Comic “The World’s Really But This Show Will Be Pretty Good” | EP Out 9/25
What is your upbringing?
I was raised by two philosophy professors, almost all of whose friends were also philosophy professors. My brother and I were the only kids in my parents’ social circle, so we hung out with adults a lot and had very intellectual conversations. We were expected to make sense and defend our arguments, as well as our tastes in music and movies. I was privileged to have parents who loved and understood music, and who had the ability to get me private piano, flute, and voice lessons. I loved performing in theatre and dance as well. I just loved being onstage. So did my brother. We were a very musical family.
How did you discover music?
I don’t think I ever discovered it. I was just raised in it and its value was never in question. I was obsessed with musicals when I was very young, and would put my parents Rogers and Hammerstein LPs on the record player and sing along with my mom. I begged for piano lessons from the moment I could talk, and finally got them when I was six. My parents claim they never had to make me practice my instruments. I was just in love with playing music.
How did you start to write music?
The first song I remember writing was in seventh grade when the U.S. bombed Afghanistan. I really wish I’d recorded it.
Are you a comedian who sings or a singer who does comedy?
I think I’m definitely the latter. I don’t even know if I DO comedy. Stand-up comedy is a really specific skill set that I haven’t honed at all. I’m a songwriter. It’s just that a lot of my songs are funny. I think it’s weird sometimes that the music industry has to call funny songs “comedy” like, god forbid people at your music festival should laugh while they’re watching a show. I wish people would lighten up and realize that music doesn’t have to be so serious all the time. I think that’s why I like musical theatre. It can be serious and silly all in one show.
What was your first performance like?
I remember it well! It was my freshman year in high school at a place called The Victorian Cafe. It was just me and my piano. A bunch of friends came. It was sweet and extremely exciting at the time. I think a lot about some of those early cafes I played at and how important it is for young performers to have a place to perform.
What makes a good songwriter?
Emotional honesty and the ability to finish a song.
Poster Girl for Period Sex?
That’s me! At least according to Salon. It’s a badge of honor I didn’t choose but will wear proudly. The title came after the release of my first music video, Warm, Bloody, and Tender. It was my first real piece of press and I was incredibly proud.
How was it to perform at Burning Man?
Performing at Burning Man is a unique experience that performers should approach with unique expectations. It’s not a music festival and everyone’s working for free. It can be a bit demoralizing to try to compete with so much other stimulation sometimes, so I learned over the years to pick my stages carefully. Now I only perform at stages that are enclosed so audiences can really focus rather than being whisked away by some flame throwing art car or distracted by the competing rhythms of bad house music.
Your new single was just released. Why did you feel it was time to release “The World’s Really F*cked, But This Show Will Be Pretty Good?”
I mean, I wrote the song in 2018 and the world felt pretty fucked up then, but the song just kept feeling more and more relevant. With the entire Western half of the United States literally on fire, the refrain “as we go down in flames” felt a little too relevant. I wanted people to feel a sense of catharsis and a kind of clear-eyed hope when they watched it. I wanted a sense of relief. Honestly, it would probably have been fine to release it later too, but with the fires it just made sense to drop it when we did.
You are one of the first YouTubers who actually give credit to their Patreon?
Am I? That’s weird. Patreon is such a big part of my life now. I’m able to fund my music videos through my community on Patreon, so why wouldn’t I credit them? They’re the best producer I’ve ever worked with.
Tell me about the Unicorn Song?
This song was such a delight to write. I think any queer woman, or honestly, any woman, who’s been on a dating app can relate to heterosexual dudes wanting them to join their existing relationship as a third. For people who have been polyamorous for a while, it’s hilarious to hear how simple they think this arrangement is going to be. It was cathartic to make fun of this naive notion of how a triad relationship would work. In reality, it’s an incredibly complicated dynamic. It’s like an advanced poly. The dude ain’t ready.
What is your favorite track on the album?
Honestly, my favorite track is Do You Wanna? Because I get to scream a lot. I’ve been writing more music where I get to scream. Did I write Do You Wanna? during the Brett Kavanaugh hearings, and now unfortunately it’s even more relevant with RBG’s untimely passing. I find the song really cathartic to perform and to listen to. It’s probably the song of mine that I actually listen to the most.
How do you stay healthy while touring?
y own booking, driving, setup, merch, etc… The biggest thing I have to do is make sure I get enough sleep. There just isn’t a lot of room to fuck around when I’m the only driver. So, I make sure to go straight to bed after shows and sleep in as long as I possibly can. Then hit the road. I eat healthy by shopping at grocery stores rather than eating at restaurants, which also helps me save money. I try to get venues to feed me healthy meals but they usually don’t want to feed me anything, so I don’t go overboard worrying about what I eat at bars. Sometimes a beer and fries is the most comforting thing in the world.
What are your feelings about streaming music?
I’m still trying to understand it.
Digital vs. vinyl?
I doubt the sound quality difference is as extreme as some people would claim, but I like the organic alchemic quality of vinyl and the fact that putting on a record is a ritual. I think it changes the listening experience. That said, I don’t yet own a record player.
What are your feelings about the social uprising going on in the United States?
If you’re referring to the unprecedented levels of peaceful protests in defense of black lives, then I’d say it’s about fucking time. If you’re referring to armed white supremacists killing people without much consequence, I’d say I’m terrified.
What song from the past is in your mind right now? Moreover, what is the meaning that song means to you?
“We who believe in freedom cannot rest” by Sweet Honey in the Rock
I think about this song a lot because it’s very inspiring and also confusing. I feel like one of the lessons I’m learning from this COVID time is that we all need to slow down a lot more, take care of each other and ourselves more, and try to interrupt this frenzied pace of productivity that we’ve all been on for so long. At the same time, holy shit how can you just watch Netflix and nap when the world is literally on fire, ya know? I don’t know what I’m supposed to be doing with my time.
How do you feel the Covid-19 virus going to affect the music business in the future?
Oof. Negatively. Music will survive because it always has, but I’m really scared about all the venues and theaters that are going to be closing over the next year.
What have you been doing with your self-quarantine?
A lot. I recorded a concept album based on my original musical, Coming Soon. I produced a music video. I’ve been camping twice. I refurbished my little travel trailer that doubles as my music studio. I live with five other people, so we’ve also just been spending a lot of time together, cooking big meals, supporting each other emotionally, hanging out with our animals.
Have you discovered or rediscovered any new hobbies?
One nice development is I’ve gotten back into a daily practice with my instruments. I haven’t practiced daily like this in many years. It’s cool to become a student again rather than thinking in terms of preparing for shows. I found a bearded dragon abandoned on the side of the road and rescued him and now I’m a reptile person, I guess. I’m on forums every day trying to figure that guy out. His name is Lester. Like everyone I also got way too many houseplants.
95% of people said that they have changed the way they watch television. This includes people who don’t have television and using their computers to do streaming of programs and movies. Which is your favorite streaming channel?
I don’t watch television.
How can bands keep their fans if they cannot play live in front of the fans and sell merch to them at the show?
I think bands need to communicate with their fans, and not just by posting selfies. I’m talking about writing substantive newsletters, reaching out in real ways. I send every single Patreon supporter a hand written postcard. It’s a great time to start a podcast or beef up the content in your mailing list. You gotta stay present in peoples’ minds even if you can’t see them in person.
Live Nation just started Live Nation from Home. Which are concerts from artist homes. An all-new virtual music hub keeping fans connected to their favorite artists featuring daily live streams, performances, new music, and more. Do you think it will be possible to make a living doing concerts this way?
No.
For smaller bands who do not play large crowds, this is not really an issue. How do you see bands going back to smaller venues and doing things like play for the door, with no guarantees?
I mean, to be totally honest, that model has been dying for a long time and I’m not going to mourn the loss of playing without a guarantee. We’ve been needing a new way of experiencing live music and getting musicians paid that doesn’t rely on alcohol sales and bands doing all the work to bring people to their shows. I’m excited by the idea of a new paradigm of support for musicians and new ways of experiencing music. I just hope that enough full-time musicians can weather this storm financially and keep making music. If they can, I don’t doubt we’ll figure out a way to play.
With Social Distance being the norm. Do you feel that it may be the end of the music fest for the next couple of years?
I mean, we already lost a year of festivals and I think it’s anyone’s guess whether we’ll be ready from a public health perspective or an industry perspective to hold music festivals next summer. I can’t predict the future.
How do you see yourself in the next five years?
new material. That sounds nice.
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