Meet Raquel Cole

Today we’d like to introduce you to Raquel Cole.

Hi Raquel, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today.
First! I’m honored to be chosen to be interviewed by NashvilleVoyager! I’m originally from British Columbia, Canada where I grew up singing in church from an early age. I acquired my first guitar at the age of nine and not long after that started writing my songs. I loved listening to the radio where I discovered amazing artists like Shania Twain and Bryan Adams. But a big part of my sound started in the basement jamming with my dad (who is a drummer) playing 70s rock and roll together. That’s where I discovered my love of playing the guitar.

In my senior year of high school, I auditioned at a reputable university in North Vancouver to study jazz guitar. I ended up declining my acceptance into Capilano University and instead moved to Nashville to focus on writing and recording my songs. I’ve been in Nashville ever since and it has brought me some amazing opportunities over the years including song placements in movies, songwriting awards, and the chance to tour all over the United States and Canada opening for artists like Josh Turner, Brothers Osborne, and Carrie Underwood. I am extremely grateful, it has kept me inspired and always excited for what’s next!

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It has not always been a smooth road! Interviews like these remind me of how much I have to be thankful for. But like a lot of people in the music business will tell you if you want to be an artist you need to be ready to get a lot of no’s! It makes the yes’s that much sweeter though!

I think two of the biggest external challenges I’ve faced have been moving to a different country and learning the ins and outs of the internet, social media, and streaming and how it affects anyone trying to be successful in the music industry today.

Admitting the internal struggles of feeling discouraged when things don’t work out or just the overall feeling of not being enough, that’s sometimes hard to do. But I believe that there’s a child inside all of us that still always believes.

So I continue fighting for that kid inside of me whose dreams were SO big and still are.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I am first a singer. But writing songs and playing guitar are also a huge part of who I am. I write and record a lot of pop and country songs, but I have always had this bluesy-soulful side in both my singing and my playing. I aspire to follow in the footsteps of artists like Bonnie Raitt and Sheryl Crow.

They are women who do it all and do it so well. I think I am most proud of the fact that on most of the tours, I’ve been on, I’ve opened these shows in theatres and arenas solo acoustic, just me and my guitar. It takes a lot of courage and perhaps audacity to get up on a stage all by oneself and entertain an audience. I loved every minute of it.

I am releasing a new single to DSPs on July 21st called “All To Yourself.

We’d be interested to hear your thoughts on luck and what role, if any, you feel it’s played for you.
Sometimes it has felt unlucky that I chose a career in country music during a time that females were finding difficulties being played on country radio for example.

But I’m not sure I quite believe in luck. I know I don’t have control over most things. But I do believe in a Higher Power and that as long as I stay true to who I am I will end up on the right path for me. My purpose will find me.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.raquelcole.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/raquelcolemusic/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/raquelcolemusic
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/raquelcolemusic
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/RaquelCole
• Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@raquelcolemusic 

Image Credits
Erika Rock @erikarock_, Ryan Nolan @ryannolan, and Aidan Miller @aidanmiller.music