READ THIS: RACHEL FRANKEL

September 03. 2019 | By Wayne Jessup

While we wait patiently for the next Phosphene LP, guitarist Rachel Frankel finds another outlet for her love of music. Drawing, (and we can say this literally), on her other life as an illustrator and designer, her latest creation is She Can Really Lay It Down, portraits and biographies of fifty rebels, rockers, and musical revolutionaries who just happen to be women. Ranging from icons like Sister Rosetta Tharpe, Selena, and Amy Winehouse to unsung heroes like Carol Kaye and Janet Weiss, Frankel’s work adds an emotional undercurrent to the stories presented, and helps shine a light on a crucial part of music history.

Heavy hitter Amanda Petrusich, whose latest book is Do Not Sell At Any Price, a history of 78rpm record collectors, adds gravitas and perspective to the proceedings with the foreword. For a deeper dive on the ground covered and more of the work, head to Rachel’s site. Keeping it in the band family, drummer Matt Emmerich takes on animation duties, and helps bring the book to life in the trailer, which you can peep below. She Can Really Lay It Down is out 9/3 on Chronicle Books, and can be ordered here.

Final housekeeping: in non-book notes, Phosphene will be playing their first gig in over a year, opening for Night Hikes at the Bit House Saloon in Portland, OR on 9/15.

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