Interview: The Dorm Room Recording Artist
In an age where labels and branding are king, Rachel Lu is the queen becoming an underground rap star on her own terms. In a recording studio she built in her dorm room. Like many artists whose success comes seemingly out of nowhere, Rachel works hard on her Oxford degree in PPE (Philosophy, Politics and Economics) to rap harder. Despite being in the same class as Malala, and the subject infamous for breeding future prime ministers, Rachel continues her rap craft. With her first single releasing later in May, we sat down with the soon-to-be Spotify star on her journey thus far.
Was there any one feeling, memory or thing about music that made you want to continue it while at Oxford?
Music’s definitely a coping mechanism, I’m a huge overthinker, and writing songs is a very personal way of trying to rationalise those thoughts.
You have a music studio in your room, you’re performing at Oxford’s biggest ball this year, yet you’ve avoided the holistic identity of Oxford’s token rapper. How have you avoided this?
I’m not sure exactly what Oxford’s token is, perhaps there are more indie/acoustic bands and artists simply because there’s a huge appetite for that stuff here (and everywhere). Electronic music in Oxford is definitely still a niche, and a lot of my influences are from outside the UK music scene in general. Having said that, it's been fun trying to capture a middle ground between being experimental but also having mainstream appeal.
I’ve been written up for fairy lights, polaroids, and a coffee machine in my room. How did you manage to get an entire studio in there—and move it in & out every term?
Great friends and family that help me move my shit every.single.time. Plus, you’d be surprised how little you need to make a home studio, you can definitely make it even more compact than what I have now.
How are you able to be so passionate and dedicated to music, without it becoming a source of stress?
The only time I get stressed about music is when I perform. Otherwise, music is a huge source of happiness for me.
Where are you on a Friday evenings vs. Sunday afternoons?
Friday evenings I tend to chill out. Saturday i’ll try my best to be out dancing till 4am. This term all my deadlines are at the start of the week, so Sunday afternoons i'll be simultaneously battling a hangover and attempting to read philosophy.
Would you rather wear braids to work, or a work suit to a performance?
Braids to work, they’re so convenient.
Do your parents know any of your lyrics?
Haha. Some. This one time I sent an unreleased song to my mum - she told me she liked it, but that she was worried that I was too sad and wanted to call me later to make sure I was doing fine at university. Thanks mum!
What was the biggest culture shock coming from your childhood in Edinburgh to Oxford?
The extremity of class divides. Both within the university, within its people and in society in general. Maybe that’s just something i’ve realised getting older, but I’ve never been exposed to it in such a stark way.
Did you have any expectation or stereotypes of Oxford that were disproven when you matriculated?
Nope, all the typical Oxford stereotypes are pretty much accurate. There’s good and bad, you’ve got to just make the most of the good and be clear about the shit you don’t like.
Would you ever have a listening party? If so, where would it be, and would there be an orange dress code or theme?
Yeah definitely if people actually wanted to turn up. I’d probably have it somewhere dark and dingy like Cellar. As with the theme, full orange party sounds sick but not sure how feasible it’d be haha.
If there’s one person—music producer, role model or loved one—who could stumble upon your E.P., who would it be?
Sean Miyashiro, founder of 88rising - sign me please!