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The musical partnership of Rachel and Thu is rooted in a deep, long-standing friendship. For over 15 years, writing and performing as The Singer and The Songwriter, they have collaborated in creating a singular artistic voice, blending detailed, exacting poetry and evocative musicality. Their songs tell the stories of real people, exploring themes of death, grief, and their experiences of the world from their queer, POC, multi-racial identities. Their deep connection weaves through their music and performances, creating an inviting intimacy that they share with their audiences.
As a published poet, death doula, activist, and dedicated Buddhist Dharma practitioner, Rachel brings a queer, artistic vision of radical vulnerability and lyricism to the duo’s songwriting practice. In collaboration with Thu’s eclectic, self-taught musicianship, theater training, and personal history as a first-generation Vietnamese American son of refugee immigrants, the duo co-create songs and stories as layered and complex as their own identities and experiences.
The duo has been captivating audiences across the US with their intimate live shows at house concerts, theaters, listening rooms, and coffeehouses. At times heartbreaking and at times hilarious, their performances are open-hearted conversations with the audience where they share their stories full of honesty, humor and wit, while delivering their songs with riveting, economical precision. Their live shows are filled with “inimitable storytelling, musical mastery, and soul-baring honesty. These two are truly a gift.” (High Plains Public Radio)
In 2022, they were named finalists in the Grassy Hill New Folk Song Competition at the Kerrville Music Festival as well as finalists in the 21st Annual NewSong Competition. They have released 5 critically-acclaimed albums and EPs; their most recent full-length album, Dreams! The Dead! Ghost! Future, was released in July 2024
VIDEO
You Take Such Good Care of Me (Live Performance)
Over Easy (Live Performance)
The Work (Live Performance)
Sound & Light (Live Performance)
PRESS QUOTES
“an extraordinary talent for intimate acoustic songs with high emotional density”
“evocative images, imaginative guitar accompaniment, and stunning vocals. The songs feel familiar, but the stories they tell are fresh and urgent—reflective of today’s political and social division, with glimmers of hope for a better tomorrow.”
“audiences were enchanted by their inimitable storytelling, musical mastery, and soul-baring honesty. These two are truly a gift.”
“The Singer & The Songwriter have created an album with such starkness and breathy intimacy that it demands your undivided attention.”
“Garcia’s voice [is] rich and mellow, strong and elegant, delicate and turbulent, all at the same time. Candidly, it’s one of the best female voices around. In short, it’s nonpareil [...] gorgeously contagious melodies, palpitating rhythms, luscious harmonies and, of course, Garcia’s unparalleled voice.”
“The Singer and the Songwriter remind us of music’s purity in its simplest form.”
“The rolling hills in California make a stunning backdrop [...] almost as beautiful as the detailed lyrics of the song. Chirping birds sing along to Rachel Garcia’s comforting voice and Thu Tran’s folksy guitar.”
“deeply human portraits of modern-day struggles and emotionally intelligent responses to the difficult situations we all face every day. ★★★★”
“barebones folk at its finest – raw, gentle, and heartfelt.”
“Garcia’s rich, warm voice wraps around you like the softest quilt and Tran’s subdued guitar shines at all the right moments”