When Rachel Chinouriri calls, she’s at the gym. But not necessarily for exercise—she’s there for the showers.
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“We’re living on a tour bus,” she tells me over the phone. “Obviously, there are no showers on it, so I have to go to any gym I can find. We’re staying at a truck station because it’s the only place a tour bus can park, so you’re living with old truckers, while you look at a bunch of 20-year-old girls and wonder, ‘What the hell are you guys doing here?’”
This brief story makes it clear: Rachel is a very busy woman—and 2024 is going to be even busier for her.
Rachel Chinouriri’s Artistic Journey
2024 has truly been a standout year for Rachel Chinouriri. She released her critically acclaimed album What a Devastating Turn of Events, performed at Glastonbury’s Other Stage, and is set to support Sabrina Carpenter on her upcoming Short’n’Sweet Tour.
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Reflecting on her musical journey, Rachel shares the challenges she faced early on. “I was quite gatekept from music, because my mum didn’t let me go to gigs, my mum didn’t let me listen to non-Christian music, so I had to discover music on my own whenever I could,” she recalls. Although her parents have always been supportive of her career, these early restrictions made her independent and led her to discover music in her own way.
Her early love for Coldplay played a significant role in shaping her musical path. It was their music that inspired Rachel to start writing and recording her own songs. Armed with a £20 microphone and platforms like SoundCloud, she quickly gained attention. Her honest, confessional lyrics set against upbeat pop melodies made her a hit, especially on platforms like TikTok.
Coldplay: A Major Source of Inspiration
While Adele and other artists have had a significant impact on Rachel, Coldplay remains her strongest inspiration. “Coldplay has been such an important part of my musical journey. They don’t just make hits, they create songs that bring out such deep emotional connection. Every song they sing is not just music, it’s a message about love, hope, and sharing,” Rachel shares.
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Coldplay’s music allows Rachel to find a sense of harmony with herself, where the music is not just a melody but a profound story being told through the lyrics. She recalls many moments when listening to Coldplay, feeling as if the band is sharing a part of their life, their soul, with the audience.
From Humble Beginnings to Current Success
Rachel has never stopped pushing forward, and her efforts have paid off. Early successes with tracks like So My Darling and her Mama’s Boy EP led to gigs at Field Day and Pitchfork Festival. But perhaps one of the most remarkable moments in her career came in 2022 when, after a night of drinking, she messaged Lewis Capaldi on Instagram asking to be the opening act for his upcoming tour.
“I completely forgot until the next day and woke up and was like, ‘Why is Lewis Capaldi at the top of my Instagram DMs and it says, Seen?'”
Her gamble paid off: shortly after, Rachel was booked as his support act. This marked a pivotal moment in her career and was a testament to the power of persistence.
A Shift in Focus and Writing New Songs
Now, with her career in full swing and her star continuing to rise, Rachel is preparing for even more success. “I’ve been going to therapy and now I’m in a really positive mindset, and all my life I’ve written about my depression,” she shares. “That’s changed: now, the songs I’m writing are all about my new boyfriend.”
It’s a new chapter for Rachel, and writing about love and positivity is a refreshing shift from the introspective and sometimes darker themes of her earlier work. “I’m going to have to learn to write from a positive place now,” she laughs.
Coldplay and the Influence on Rachel’s Music
With the success she has gained, Rachel is gearing up for bigger things, especially with the opportunity to open for Sabrina Carpenter on the Short’n’Sweet Tour. Yet, she never forgets the huge influence Coldplay has had on her. Every time she steps onto the stage, Rachel is reminded of how their music shaped her and made her believe in the power of music. “I will always thank Coldplay for what they’ve inspired in me. They’ve shown me that music is a journey, a life of exploration and sharing emotions.”
Rachel’s journey is only just beginning, and with the invaluable experiences she has gained from Coldplay, she will continue to be a rising star in the indie-pop scene. “Coldplay will always be a part of me. They’ve taught me that music is a universal language, a powerful force that connects us all.”
