Buy both albums at:
Based out of Duluth, MN, Rachael Kilgour has built a devoted following over the last five years, captivating audiences with a balance of provocative, topical lyrics, passionate musical delivery, and a charmingly innocent yet witty stage presence.
Kilgour began writing and performing her own songs in 2005. She was invited to join recording artist Catie Curtis on a tour of the Midwest as an opener and backup musician in 2006 and again the following year. Her original music was received well enough that Kilgour decided to break from the pursuit of a Music Education degree in order to focus on her songwriting career.
In 2007 Kilgour married Adeline Wright, an artist and entrepreneur who bolstered Kilgour’s talents with business smarts, effortless harmony vocals and a wealth of inspiration. The two women released Kilgour’s long-awaited debut album in December 2008 with the help of indie-folk starlet and producer Haley Bonar. The self-titled album gives an earnest glimpse into the life and politics of a young woman turned wife, mother and advocate for a generation of dissatisfied global citizens.
In the years since, Kilgour has performed across the country in coffeehouses, concert series and radio studios as well as protests and picket lines. She’s shared the stage with such folk luminaries as Greg Brown, Ferron, Pat Humphries and Holly Near and earned a local reputation as “everyone’s favorite, spirited folkster.” She was a finalist in both the Big Top Chautauqua and Kerrville Music-2-Life songwriting contests and was named the Womanfolk Find of the Month at Twin Cities radio station KFAI 90.3.
Kilgour’s latest album “Will You Marry Me?” was released January, 2011 and recorded in Minneapolis at the Humans Win! studio. She was accompanied by brothers Jake and Jeremy Hanson (guitarist for Mason Jennings and drummer for Tapes 'n Tapes) and by her wife on harmony vocals.
“Yes, the album is sweet, but it is also political,” Kilgour explains. “The title was taken from the song I wrote in honor of my grandparent’s 60 year marriage. I thought it was an especially fitting title considering my own current situation as a lesbian, denied the right of legal marriage. My life right now, and for the next 60 years or so, is about walking alongside someone else and taking on what we encounter together. Looking at it that way, I guess every song I write is a love song.”
Kilgour sings about love and family well, but most compelling are her songs about human nature, societal shortfalls and our own potential to create change. Shortly after the release of her debut album, she announced her intent to share the proceeds from her live concerts with local organizations and charities in each community she visits. Kilgour aims to put her money where her mouth is and inspires others to do the same. So far, proceeds have been donated to food shelves, homeless shelters, antiwar organizations and environmental groups across the region.
