In partnership with H.O.M.E. we are happy to present to you Rachel Curtis as our Nashville Spotlight artist of the month.
Up and coming alt-pop phenom Rachel Curtis made waves in the music landscape. Opening for giants such as GRAMMY winner Gladys Knight, country legend Tracy Lawrence, as well as stars like Mat Kearney and O.A.R. she firmly cemented her place in the scene. Furthermore, her devoted fanbase unite under her masterful alt-pop craftmanship and enchanting, poetic vocals and melodies. Rachel truly offers a unique voice that resonates with millions of people living with invisible disabilities, all while creating boundary-breaking music, sheading light on the themes of growth, acceptance, resilience and so much more.
Her latest single “Growth Rings” walks a fine line between personal experiences and universally resonant themes. In the song, Rachel channels her experience with the rare genetic conditions Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS) and Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease (CMT) into a deeply touching introspection on resilience and self-acceptance.
We had the pleasure of talking to Rachel Curtis about her musical journey and upcoming projects. Keep on reading for an exciting insight into her world and what inspires her.
First we asked her what her favorite part of living in Nashville.
One of my favorite parts about living in Nashville is that you get the best of both worlds. There’s the city feel and opportunity to build community, find inspiration, and grow but also so much nature and quiet nearby.
This balance between the urban and the natural gives her the opportunity to both connect and make new experiences and retreat from the buzzling everyday life when it gets too much.
“Having access to both is really energizing. I love seeing new places, meeting new people, and trying new food, but when it gets a little overstimulating, I appreciate how many parks, hiking spots, and peaceful spaces are preserved around the city and easy to escape to.”
Expanding on what she said about the best of two worlds, we threw in a third world, the fictional world. Being a fan of Stranger Things, Rachel gave us an insight into which character she identifies with the most and why.
I resonate with Eleven. She’s learning how to use her strength while also navigating vulnerability, growth and connection. I feel like I’m in the part of that journey where I’m becoming more grounded in who I am, learning to embrace my story, trust my instincts and the road head, let people in, while still accepting the parts of me that are continuing to grow.
Rachel started her journey into the world of music as a young child, performing covers before learning how to create music of her own.
Eventually, I learned how to write and release original music and picked up guitar while playing in a folk duo called Rachel & Alex. After growing up in Michigan and experiencing a lot of personal health challenges, music became a way for me to process and reframe the harder things in life through songwriting and releasing as an artist.
One of the most defining points on her journey was her experience being on American Idol in 2018. Rachel’s time there truly made her realize the importance of authenticity and creative control, which started her off onto greater things. She states,
Since then, I’ve had the opportunity to open for artists like Gladys Knight, Mat Kearney, O.A.R., Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, Tracy Lawrence, Tyler Ramsey (Band of Horses), and Will Hoge. I’ve built my own artist-led label with the help of some amazing people and investors, and poured everything into making music with the intention of moving people from the inside out. Music continues to be a way of healing for me and I hope the songs I create can help others feel a little more understood too.
With milestones like this one bringing about growth and evolution in her music, they paved the way for her latest single “Growth Rings.” As is a central part of Rachel’s art, the song manages to convey universally resonant themes through her very personal experiences, in this case with the rare genetic conditions EDS and CMT. Rachel says,
The song explores the kind of growth that often goes unnoticed until you look back. Like the rings of a tree, each season of life leaves its mark, quietly shaping who we are.
Expanding on her conditions, she explains,
The rings on my fingers in the photos aren’t just visual metaphors they’re actually medical braces I wear daily to support life with Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome and Charcot-Marie-Tooth Disease. That symbolism became central to the visual and emotional message behind the song. My journey aside, we all go through seasons of growth and slowly build the foundation of who we are.
Alongside her latest single “Growth Rings,” Curtis released a dreamlike, yet powerful music video.
Watch the official music video to “Growth Rings” below
This growth that takes center stage in Rachel’s latest single is mirrored in her own journey as an artist. Her music has grown and evolved alongside her. Initially keeping it simple with raw, folk-inspired instrumentation, her sound soon evolved.
I found myself missing the artists I love who mix authenticity with more dynamic, produced elements with some electronic elements. Lately, I’m trying to blend those worlds holding onto the emotional roots, while letting the sound evolve with me.
When asked about these inspirations of hers, she listed,
My earliest musical influences were Alicia Keys, Adele, Norah Jones, The Lumineers, Johnny Cash, Fleetwood Mac, Florence and the Machine, Hozier, and Maggie Rogers and honestly, so many more. I really love listening to Teddy Swims, Olivia Dean & Leon Bridges lately.
Drawing inspirations from these legends, Rachel always manages to make the most authentic music that she deeply connects with. Through this authenticity, she creates a place for people to be moved and to unite under her music.
Putting something out that’s both poetic and deeply personal helped me realize how healing it can be to write from that space. “Growth Rings” is about learning to accept and grow through my health struggles, and reaching a place of peace with them.
Looking forward with excitement to Rachel’s upcoming projects, we wanted to know what she has planned for the future and if we might even get to see her live again soon, to which she said,
With all these amazing milestones being part of her journey already, it is exciting to think that this is only the beginning. Rachel’s creativity knows no limits and new music is always just around the corner. She announces,
I’m currently rolling out new singles throughout the year and 2026, writing, building my team, and growing my audience authentically so I can get back to performing live with intention and with new music. I’m excited to meet people who’ve connected with these songs and build a community around the live experience.
It is apparent that Rachel’s music is powerful, healing and uniting in nature. The experiences she shares through it open up spaces for people to find a place to feel heard in their struggles. With these important messages, Rachel has one more to share with us.
I hope hearing Growth Rings makes you feel a sense of nostalgia acceptance for the layers, seasons that have made you into who you are. 🙂 Thanks for listening!
Rachel Curtis continues to bring us some of the most authentic and unique music in modern alt-pop. Shining through her songs and supporting stars like Gladys Knight, Tracy Lawrence, Mat Kearney, her journey is remarkable and we cannot wait to see where it takes her next. Stay tuned for what’s next for Rachel.
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