Carrboro dance-pop musician Rachel Kiel released her new single, “Good Scare,” on Friday, almost a decade after it was written.
Kiel has been on a musical journey for most of her life. She began playing the flute at age five and has explored other musical endeavors over the years, including chorus, a capella, piano, guitar, banjo and tap dancing. Now, she writes songs on a variety of instruments.
Kiel has released four albums, her most recent being "Dream Logic" (2020). From nightmares to fantasies, Kiel conceived much of this dream-pop album inspired by her dreams. Kiel drew from the disorientation and creative energy produced by her various dreams to create a diverse set of songs.
Specifically, Kiel creates songs inspired by dreams she’s had about people who are no longer in her life — whether that person is an old friend, an ex or a deceased family member. In this manner, “Good Scare,” builds on themes that Dream Logic explored since it is a song about the complicated mix of emotions a person can experience when remembering someone who used to be in their life.
“Is it a dream or a nightmare?” she sings in the new single. “When I sleep we’re together again.”
Kiel also draws inspiration from songs that have deeply resonated with her, seeking to evoke similar feelings in others. Kiel’s music is primarily inspired by underground pop, rock and country.
“It's felt like a vocation and a calling for me to create songs, because songs have moved me so much,” Kiel said. "And I make things that I think move me, but it's really cool to see when they move other people too.”
The production of “Good Scare” started in 2015. It began with a demo featuring the lyrical structure and general melody, which eventually developed into a complete single. Producer and musician, Alex Bingham, known as “Magic Al,” collaborated with Kiel to refine and transform the demo.
Bingham said that he sees his role as a producer as seeing a creative project through from beginning to end, being guided by and honoring the artist’s creative vision.
