Final summer time, minutes earlier than Rachel Marquez sat right down to take a morning examination for a enterprise class, information of the Supreme Court docket’s resolution to overturn Roe v. Wade broke media shops throughout the nation. Shocked and pissed off by the end result of the choice, Marquez determined to channel her feelings into track.
“Over the summer time there (had been) lots of various things occurring out and in of the classroom,” stated Marquez, an oboe efficiency junior. “I used to be upset about how divided everyone was. So, I began messing round with this actual bassy sound, and it become this (track) … my single.”
Marquez launched her debut single “Be Conscious” on April 7 throughout streaming platforms. As an oboe participant with classical music coaching, the track’s modern sound marks a brand new step in Marquez’s musical journey as a pop vocalist and songwriter. Inside the track, Marquez nods to the significance of staying knowledgeable whereas expressing how ongoing political and social points affect younger folks.
“As a lot as I like the classical area, I’ve all the time been all for making music,” Marquez stated. “Since I had a ardour for singing I assumed, ‘Why not attempt to do one thing the place I can categorical what I’m making an attempt to say by means of my voice?’”
Regardless of her lack of coaching as a vocalist, Marquez didn’t shrink back from pursuing her ardour for singing and songwriting. After writing the track over the summer time, Marquez auditioned for UT’s student-run report label UTalent Information. Marquez stated that UTalent not solely helped her flip her thought into a totally produced track but in addition helped construct her confidence as a singer.
“It was a bit scary as a result of most individuals I’m surrounded by are aiming to win a spot in an orchestra or do one thing within the classical area,” Marquez stated. “However I simply realized that if I actually have a ardour for making music, I ought to simply go for it. So I pushed myself to attempt to make music in my very own approach, exterior of my oboe music that I used to be centered on.”
With the track launched, Marquez continues to advertise her single by means of reside performances. The singer-songwriter most lately carried out April 8 at Cactus Cafe, the place UTalent Information held their annual Reverb Showcase.
“I used to be actually impressed with how pure Rachel felt (on stage),” stated Alexa Milsch, a public relations freshman and Marquez’s supervisor at UTalent. “She simply regarded like she belonged there.”
Valeria Lopez, a radio-television-film junior who serves as Marquez’s advertising and marketing director, stated she thinks Marquez’s new track sends an essential message to college students who battle with psychological well being points in as we speak’s polarized political local weather.
“I really feel like (the track) actually speaks to what lots of school college students undergo,” Lopez stated. “It’s onerous on the market; it’s lonely, and I like the truth that the track speaks to digging your ft in and standing up for your self.”
Whereas Marquez continues writing new music, she hopes “Be Conscious” encourages folks to be extra understanding of others’ experiences.
“We’ve got to bear in mind that there’s (not solely) lots of issues occurring inside our personal lives, however (additionally) lots of issues occurring exterior our personal lives,” Marquez stated. “I believe different’s experiences aren’t as distinctive as we expect. I believe lots of us battle with the identical issues. Simply realizing that’s essential.”