In Conversation With #211 - Rat Tally
Indie singer-songwriter Rat Tally has just released her debut album ‘In My Car’ via 6131 Records.
The debut album from one of the most exciting young singer-songwriters to emerge in recent years, 'In My Car' sees Rat Tally (aka Addy Harris) deliver on the promise of her earlier releases while elevating her unique and candid style both sonically and lyrically. With lush instrumentation, concise yet poignant lyrics, and guest features from Jay Som and Madeline Kenney, 'In My Car' is easily one of the most fully realized debut albums in the indie rock realm.
Hailing from Chicago (by way of LA and Boston), Rat Tally emerged in 2019 with an impressively fully formed sound on her self-released debut EP, 'When You Wake Up'. The release quickly caught the attention of 6131 Records, who were eager to work with the young, yet clearly very talented musician.
She took a moment to talk to us about how the album came together.
Hey there Rat Tally - how are you? So your album is out now - how does it feel to have it out there in the world?
I’m doing just fine I just took a nap! It is and it is such a relief haha.
It is called ‘In My Car’ - what is the meaning behind that?
When I lived in LA I used to walk by this house where a family lived. I would often see the mom sitting in her car. She would sit there for as long as it would take me to come back around, sometimes over an hour. It’s about a place you can go to get away from whatever is hurting you in your life or whatever you need a break from. Somewhere you can look into your life from the outside and not have to be a part of it.
Where was it recorded? Any behind the scenes stories from the creative process you are happy to share with us?
It was recorded all over the place. In Chicago it was recorded partially at Strange Magic Recording with Robbie Hamilton, and partially in my bedroom. Other parts were recorded in Portsmouth, NH, just outside Richmond, VA, and Long Beach, CA! My band and I would have meetings on zoom about what we needed to do, and we recorded our parts all separately. All the parts were put together later by my producer and guitarist Max Grazier.
What are the key themes and influences on the album?
I’ve moved around a lot, and I’ve been really influenced by those places and the people I meet. A big theme of the album are snapshots of moments in my life, and conversations I’ve had with the people in it. It’s also kind of about failing a lot, feeling like I’m always making the wrong choice, and overthinking every single thing in my life.
If the album could be the soundtrack to any film - which one would it be and why?
Easy. School of Rock because it’s one of the core reasons I decided to become a songwriter. And I wrote a rock album and it’s my favorite movie.
Do you have a favorite lyric on the album - if so, which one and why?
“Feelings are just chemicals”
This is from “In My Car,” the title track. This to me is one of the most desperate things I could ever say hahaha. You try and block something out so much that you convince yourself feeling isn’t even real, it’s just all chemicals. It sticks with me.
Now the album is out there - what next?
I’m going on tour in October with Future Teens and Camp Trash! Gonna continue playing shows and write as much as I can.
