Rachel Platten

Rachel Platten

Rachel Platten performing in a live concert on August 20, 2015
Background information
Birth name Rachel Ashley Platten
Born (1981-05-20) May 20, 1981
New York City, New York, United States
Origin Newton Centre, Massachusetts, United States
Genres
Occupation(s)
  • Singer
  • songwriter
Instruments
  • Vocals
  • piano
  • guitar
  • keyboards
  • clarinet
  • oboe
Years active 2003–present
Labels

Rachel Ashley Platten[1] (born May 20, 1981) is an American singer and songwriter. Having released independent albums and singles between 2003 and 2014, Platten signed with Columbia Records in early 2015.

She rose to fame in 2015 with the release of the single "Fight Song", which peaked at number six on the US Billboard Hot 100, topped the UK Singles Chart and reached the top 10 of multiple charts worldwide. Platten won an Emmy Award for the live performance of the song on Good Morning America. Her major-label debut album, Wildfire, was released in 2016 as well, being certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) and producing another successful single, "Stand by You".

Early life

Platten was born on May 20, 1981, in New York City to a Russian father and a mother of Irish and Dutch ancestry, but grew up in Newton Centre, Massachusetts and attended the Mason-Rice elementary school.[2] She was raised Jewish.[3][4] Platten studied classical piano from the age of 5 and then took up guitar in high school. She attended Buckingham Browne and Nichols high school, where she sang in the school's singing group. At Trinity College, she was a member of the Trinity College Trinitones, the college's first all-female a cappella group.

As a part of a study abroad program, she went to Trinidad to do an internship at a diplomat's office and at a record label. While she was there, she sang backup for a friend's band in front of over 80,000 people at the International Soca Monarch finals in 2002. According to Platten, from that moment on she knew she had to pursue music full-time.[5] Platten graduated from Trinity College with a degree in international relations in 2003. She then moved to New York City's Greenwich Village where she cut her teeth playing with Prince and Sly and the Family Stone cover band called Dayz of Wild. In 2010, she married Kevin Lazan.[6] She performed her solo music around the Village and eventually began touring the country. She has worked with numerous charities, Musicians on Call (where she sings bedside to hospital patients) for 11 years and she is an ambassador for Music Unites. She also works with the Ryan Seacrest Foundation and was an ambassador for Live Below the Line (a call to end world poverty).

Career

2003–14: Trust in Me and Be Here

Rachel Platten early in her career, performing at The Saint in Asbury Park, NJ

Platten released her debut studio album Trust in Me in 2003, which she has called "a collection of demos".[7] Her second album, Be Here, was released from Rock Ridge Music in 2011.[8] Her 2011 single "1,000 Ships" peaked at number 24 on the US Billboard Adult Top 40 chart, also playing at various radio stations.[9] An earlier song, "Seven Weeks", was used for the film The Good Guy.[10] The theme song for ABC Family's Jane by Design, "Work of Art" was performed by Platten on hire.[11] Also, her song "Begin Again" was used in the hit ABC Family TV show Pretty Little Liars 100th episode "Miss Me x 100".[12] Her song "Don't Care What Time It Is" was used in VH1's Basketball Wives. Her song "You're Safe" was used in MTV's Finding Carter in September 2014. On June 27, 2014, Platten debuted "Fight Song" on the music social network We Heart It as part of an artist spotlight.[13]

2015–present: Wildfire and upcoming fourth studio album

She is now signed to Columbia Records, with an official Vevo account, and in the spring of 2015 released the single "Fight Song" (co-written by Platten and Dave Bassett) from Wildfire. The song is a midtempo anthemic pop song, a self-affirmation song whose music is stylistically in the vein of such top pop artists as Katy Perry, Kelly Clarkson, and Taylor Swift. The song was used in the Christmas episode of Pretty Little Liars' fifth season[14] and in promos for the fourth season of Revenge on the Seven Network in Australia.[15] She released the news to her fans through a Facebook post that read, "To every single person that's ever believed in me, to every mile that I've driven across the country, you made this moment that much sweeter. Proud to have just signed to Columbia Records. Time to spread the love."[16] In May 2015, the song was featured in the trailer[17] for the then-upcoming CBS TV series Supergirl and is also being used in a commercial for Ford cars. It was also the official anthem of the 2015-16 presidential campaign of former Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton.

"Fight Song" climbed the chart and reached number 6 on the US Billboard Hot 100.

It also reached number 2 on the Australian Singles Chart, number 6 in Ireland, number 8 in New Zealand, number 9 on the Billboard Canadian Hot 100 and number one on the UK Singles Chart.[18] It has also reached double platinum sales in the US, selling over 2 million copies. Platten's 2015 Fight Song EP reached number 20 on the Billboard 200.

Platten served as a support act on Alex & Sierra and Andy Grammer's "The Good Guys & A Girl Tour" in early 2015.[19] She then toured with Colbie Caillat and Christina Perri on their "Girls Night Out, Boys Can Come Too Tour" throughout the summer of 2015.[20]

On September 11, 2015, Platten released second single named "Stand by You"[21] from Wildfire, by Sony Music Entertainment.

Platten announced on the Today Show that proceeds from the new acoustic version of her “Fight Song” will benefit the National Compassion Fund, working to support the needs of people impacted by the Orlando nightclub massacre.[22]

Platten announced that she is already working on her next album she said: “Right now I’m kind of more reflective and some of the stuff is a little bit darker [than “Fight Song”] … I hope to give them [fans] more sides of me. Although I love being empowering, I’m human.”

Platten was selected to sing the National Anthem prior to Game 1 of the 2016 World Series between the Cleveland Indians and Chicago Cubs.[23]

Discography

Studio albums

Title Details Peak chart positions Certifications
US
[24]		 AUS
[25]		 CAN
[26]		 IRE
[27]		 NZ
[28]		 SWE
[29]		 SWI
[30]		 UK
[31]
Trust in Me
  • Released: 2003
  • Format: CD
 — — — — — — — —
Be Here — — — — — — — —
Wildfire
  • Released: January 1, 2016
  • Label: Columbia
  • Format: Digital download, CD
 5 12 6 84 37 29 85 35
"—" denotes an album that did not chart or was not released.

Extended plays

Title Details Peak chart positions Sales
US
[24]
Fight Song
  • Released: May 12, 2015
  • Label: Columbia
  • Format: Digital download, CD
 20

Singles

Single Year Peak chart positions Certifications Album
US
[24]		 AUS
[25]		 AUT
[35]		 CAN
[24]		 GER
[36]		 IRE
[27]		 NZ
[28]		 SWE
[29]		 SWI
[30]		 UK
[31]
"1,000 Ships" 2011 — — — — — — — — — — Be Here
"Fight Song" 2015 6 2 13 5 76 6 8 56 38 1 Wildfire
"Stand by You" 37 14 — 42 — — — — — —
"Better Place"[42] 2016 — — — — — — — — — —
"—" denotes a single that did not chart or was not released.

Awards and nominations

Year Ceremony Award Nominated work Result Ref.
2015 Teen Choice Awards Choice Music: Breakout Artist Herself Nominated [43]
Choice Summer Song "Fight Song"
2016 iHeartRadio Music Awards Best Lyrics "Fight Song" Won [44]
Radio Disney Music Awards Breakout Artist Of The Year Herself Nominated [45]
Billboard Music Awards Top Selling Song "Fight Song" Nominated [46]
Daytime Emmy Awards Outstanding Musical Performance in a Talk Show/Morning Program Good Morning America Won [47]
American Music Awards Favorite Adult Contemporary Artist Herself Nominated [48]

References

  1. ↑ "Songwriter/Composer: Platten Rachel Ashley". Broadcast Music, Inc. Retrieved June 7, 2015.
  2. ↑ Rachel Platten - Fight Song - Vevo DSCVR (Live). May 25, 2015 – via YouTube.
  3. ↑ https://mobile.twitter.com/RachelPlatten/status/677358855471235072
  4. ↑ http://abcnewsradioonline.com/music-news/2015/12/9/rachel-platten-recalls-hanukkah-gift-dilemma.html
  5. ↑ Wass, Mike (April 20, 2015). "Rachel Platten Talks "Fight Song," Making A Difference And Her Long Road To The Top: Idolator Interview". Idolator. Retrieved June 22, 2015.
  6. ↑ http://pinkorchidweddings.blogspot.com/2010/12/featured-in-southern-new-england.html
  7. ↑ "Trust In Me". MTV. Retrieved July 30, 2012.
  8. ↑ William Ruhlmann (April 26, 2011). "Be Here – Rachel Platten | Songs, Reviews, Credits, Awards". AllMusic. Retrieved July 29, 2015.
  9. ↑ Bradley, Stephen (September 13, 2011). "Concert review: Rachel Platten". The Washington Times. Retrieved February 29, 2012.
  10. ↑ "The Good Guy (2009) : Cast". Archived from the original on August 9, 2009. Retrieved October 5, 2011.
  11. ↑ "Jane by Design (2012– )". IMDb.com. Retrieved July 29, 2015.
  12. ↑ "Pretty Little Liars (TV Series) : Miss Me x100 (2014) : Soundtracks". IMDb.com. Retrieved July 29, 2015.
  13. ↑ Platten, Rachel. "Rachel Platten post on Twitter". Twitter. Rachel Platten.
  14. ↑ "Pretty Little Liars (TV Series) : How the 'A' Stole Christmas (2014) : Soundtracks". IMDb.com. Retrieved July 29, 2015.
  15. ↑ "Revenge 4x06 Australian Promo | Seven Network 2015". YouTube. March 30, 2015. Retrieved July 29, 2015.
  16. ↑ "Rachel Platten – Mobile Uploads". Facebook. Retrieved July 29, 2015.
  17. ↑ "Supergirl – First Look". YouTube. May 13, 2015. Retrieved July 29, 2015.
  18. ↑ "RACHEL PLATTEN". Official Charts. Official UK Charts Company. Retrieved 12 October 2015.
  19. ↑ Boedeker, Hal (June 23, 2015). "Alex & Sierra joining Andy Grammer on tour". Orlando Sentinel. Retrieved February 21, 2015.
  20. ↑ Gonzalez, John (July 15, 2015). "Colbie Caillat and Christina Perri 'Girls Night Out, Boys Can Come Too' tour about having fun, not making a statement". Mlive.com. Retrieved December 31, 2015.
  21. ↑ "Rachel Platten Premieres New Single "Stand By You": Listen Now!". directlyrics.com.
  22. ↑ "Rachel Platten: The secret of my success is 'telling my story'". TODAY.com. 2016-07-01. Retrieved 2016-07-17.
  23. ↑ TEGNA. "Kenny Lofton, Carlos Baerga to throw out first pitches at World Series Games 1, 2". WKYC. Retrieved 2016-10-24.
  24. 1 2 3 4 "Rachel Platten – Chart History". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media.
  25. 1 2 Hung, Steffen. "Discography Rachel Platten". Australian Charts Portal. Hung Medien (Steffen Hung).
  26. ↑ "Rachel Platten – Chart history (Canadian Albums)". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media.
  27. 1 2 Hung, Steffen. "Discography Rachel Platten". Irish Charts Portal. Hung Medien (Steffen Hung).
  28. 1 2 Hung, Steffen. "Discography Rachel Platten". New Zealand Charts Portal. Hung Medien (Steffen Hung).
  29. 1 2 Hung, Steffen. "Discography Rachel Platten". Swedish Charts Portal. Hung Medien (Steffen Hung).
  30. 1 2 Hung, Steffen. "Discographie Rachel Platten". Swiss Charts Portal. Hung Medien (Steffen Hung).
  31. 1 2 "Rachel Platten". Officialcharts.com/. Official Charts Company.
  32. ↑ "iTunes – Music – Be Here by Rachel Platten". Itunes.apple.com. April 26, 2011. Retrieved July 29, 2015.
  33. 1 2 3 "American certifications – Platten, Rachel". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved July 7, 2015.
  34. ↑ "Upcoming Releases". Hits Daily Double. HITS Digital Ventures. Archived from the original on December 14, 2015.
  35. ↑ Hung, Steffen. "Discographie Rachel Platten". Austrian Charts Portal. Hung Medien (Steffen Hung).
  36. ↑ Hung, Steffen. "Discographie Rachel Platten". German Charts Portal. Hung Medien (Steffen Hung).
  37. ↑ Ryan, Gavin (August 1, 2015). "ARIA Singles: Lost Frequencies Is Number One For Second Week". Noise11. Retrieved August 1, 2015.
  38. ↑ "British certifications – Rachel Platten". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved 9 September 2016. Enter Rachel Platten in the field Search. Select Artist in the field Search by. Click Search
  39. 1 2 "Gold/Platinum". Music Canada. 2015-10-21. Retrieved 2015-11-24.
  40. ↑ "New Zealand single certifications – Rachel Platten – Fight Song". Recorded Music NZ. Retrieved June 5, 2015.
  41. ↑ Ryan, Gavin (February 13, 2016). "ARIA Singles: Flume 'Never Be Like You' Is No 1". Noise11. Retrieved February 13, 2016.
  42. ↑ Wass, Mike (April 13, 2016). "Rachel Platten On 'The Wildfire Tour,' Fame & Next Single "Better Place"". Idolator. Spin Media. Retrieved 18 April 2016.
  43. ↑ "2015 Teen Choice Award Winners – Full List". Variety. Penske Media Corporation. August 16, 2015. Retrieved August 17, 2015.
  44. ↑ "Instagram". Instagram. 2016-04-03. Retrieved 2016-07-17.
  45. ↑ "Music Awards 2016". Radio Disney. Retrieved 2016-07-17.
  46. ↑ "Awards Finalists 2016: Billboard Music Awards Nominations". Billboard. Retrieved 2016-07-17.
  47. ↑ "THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF TELEVISION ARTS & SCIENCES ANNOUNCES The 43rd ANNUAL DAYTIME EMMY® AWARD NOMINATIONS" (PDF). Cdn.emmyonline.org. Retrieved 2016-07-17.
  48. ↑ "AMAs 2016: See the Full List of Winners". Billboard. Retrieved 21 November 2016.
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