Record Shopping with Rachel Yamagata Issue #38

By Molly Lynch
Published: December 1st, 2008 | 12:00am

If Rachael Yamagata looks like she’s at home in Chicago, it’s because she is. Since the Windy City native’s last album dropped four years ago, Yamagata’s life has been fueled by different emotions — including a change in record labels, the launch of a new album with an entirely different gritty and edgy sound, and hitting the road for a full-length tour.

I met up with Yamagata at Reckless Records in Lakeview, where Venus Zine gave me 50 smackers to take the raven-haired singer on a much-needed music shopping spree. As she stepped out of the cab on Broadway Street, the singer greeted me with warm, laid-back, charm.

The dusky-voiced songstress, who released her two-part sophomore album Elephants...Teeth Sinking Into Heart (Warner Bros.) on Oct. 7, let out a sigh of relief as she made her way into the store. “I haven’t gone shopping in forever,” Yamagata said, flipping through records. “The promo that goes along with this tour has been crazy.”

Despite her overbearing schedule and slightly sore throat from nightly performances, Yamagata seemed to be in high spirits during our shopping trip. Making our way through the various sections, the singer’s interests quickly shifted during our chat.

“Do they have any Barbra Streisand here?” she blurted out with a raspy chuckle. “I grew up on Barbra. I wouldn’t say she’s an influence of mine, but I have to respect the way she performs ... So much drama. I love how she goes all out in her cinematic ways.”

A few minutes later — after we share a brief bonding moment over the depressingly beautiful Streisand classic, The Way We Were — Yamagata excitedly made her way to the new releases section, snagging the new Jenny Lewis, Kings of Leon, and My Morning Jacket.

When it comes to musical inspiration, Yamagata said she takes cues from all over. “I really take things from everywhere,” she said. “I love the classics ... Simon & Garfunkel, Nina Simone, Stevie Wonder, Bruce Springsteen ... early Rod Stewart. You gotta love it all.”

As the store clerk totaled up Yamagata’s purchases (she also grabbed the Fall ’08 issue of Venus Zine ... aww), we realized that we were about $17 over our $50 budget. Instead of putting back any of her new tunes, Yamagata whipped out her wallet to cover the difference. “I’m so excited about all of this,” Yamagata said, beaming enthusiastically as the clerk handed over her bag of goodies. “I finally have good stuff to take on the road with me.”

Shopping List

Jenny Lewis, Acid Tongue

Tiger Lillies, 7 Deadly Sins

Todd Rundgren, The Very Best of Todd Rundgren

Todd Rundgren, Something/Anything?

Kings of Leon, Only by the Night

My Morning Jacket, Evil Urges

Patti Smith, Easter

A copy of Venus Zine!