Is it time for my Christmas song yet?....
As some of you may already know, one of the highlights of my career was writing my first ever Christmas song, “One More Christmas”. I am so proud of our creation but it was an arduous journey to finally find its home on the most talented girlband of the decade, H3RIZON!
The girls are unbelievably talented and they sure sang the hell out of this song. The harmonies & backing vocals are stunning. The production and arrangement is beyond our wildest dreams. What a moment for me as a songwriter, to witness something that Jonni Musgrave, one of my best friends and collaborators, & also Sai Taurah a lyricist, wrote together become so incredibly alive.
Let me tell you about the journey of this song. As unpublished, completely independent artists & writers, it was challenging to get this song placed. That did surprise me, as I believe (and it’s a view supported by my friends & family) that this is a Christmas song of epic proportions. I felt that because I had been out of the industry for so long that the doors were closed and the walls were higher than ever. However, that sliver of stubborn tenacity in me (which my husband knows all too well) would not accept it. I knew this song was brilliant and the right person would recognise that!
Finally, I received the email reply I’d been dreaming of from Phil Anquetil & Kelvin Avon & H3rizon - the dream team. One More Christmas, the song, the video, the vision became everything I had ever hoped and more! It went on to chart top 60 in Australia, had collectively over 2m streams, was added to Oz’s biggest department store playlist for life. I have no doubt it will only continue to grow, especially as H3rizon have clinched an incredible, well deserved record deal with MJ’s label EPIC Records in LA.
To compliment the vibrant, uptempo Mariah Carey style version, I’m excited to be releasing the original, acoustic version of “One More Christmas” next Sunday 26th November! This is the raw and stripped down bones of the vision that Jonni & I created and we are so very proud of. To make the video I made my hubby follow me around Birmingham’s Christmas market (a location he cleverly sourced 👏🏽). However, it turned out he was a pretty good cameraman and it’s me who to needs to issue an apology for anyone I nearly bumped into! Music videos on a budget of zero are quite the laugh.
Releasing music as an unsigned artist is challenging but so invigorating. It’s a fantastic time to be an independent artist and there are countless platforms to find your people who will fiercely support you. The old model which relied completely on record labels is gone! Now, we can reach our community directly and we are in control! Which is both utterly terrifying and undeniably liberating. There are superfluous moments where I feel completely overwhelmed attempting to navigate my way in an ever changing industry full of uber talented, cool Gen Z’s who can actually work Tik Tok. Note to self my comedic attempts to ignite a viral video must be authentic not ridiculous (did anyone see my underwater attempt last week? It’s still on TikTok if you want a laugh). I’m very much still stumbling around in the dark but the difference is, I am now recognising my value as a creative and as an artist. I will not be running with open arms to the first light I see, fearful the flame will go out before I can reach it. I’m going to get comfortable in the darkness and grow my own internal light that will shine so brightly I’ll be able to guide my own way.
JOIN MY PATREON COMMUNITY
With Patreon I can truly connect with people who enjoy my music and creativity and really want to support my art and what I do. I share lots of exclusive footage, music and also live performances only for my Patreon community. What a blessing this platform is for artists! I hope to see you there :)
My dear friends, family & community please please pre-save One More Christmas! Click HERE. The pre-saves truly make all the difference and actually enable the song to get play-listed and heard!
Thank you for being here and reading all the way to the end! Please share your stories with me, leave a comment below and I hope you love this original composition of One More Christmas.
Love always,
Raquelle
Photo credit: Robin Last , Quinta Homes
Video credit: Andrew O’Brien