Exclusive Interview :Tracy Eckstrand Unpacks The Creative Provenance & Process of Latest EP ‘Who Is Gonna Rescue You’

Tracy Eckstrand is a singer-songwriter and a folk artist whose favorite subject is the exploration of life’s nuances. With thoughtful narratives and an open mind, she gets into themes like individuality, existence, mental health, heartache, melancholy, and the forming of the self.

Her style, tone, and performances are reminiscent of artists like Joni Mitchell, Cat Stevens, Hank Williams, and the like; all of whom fostered a love for musical contemplation. Over the years, Tracy has leveraged her personal experiences to craft intimate listening experiences. And she does it in her latest EP, ‘Who Is Gonna Rescue You’ also. 

The collection drives the central theme of showing up for yourself. With poetic storytelling, fulfilling candor, and confessional tones, each track consoles and comforts the listener.

1. What sparked the creation of this collection and how did it guide you through the process of writing and making this EP?

I wrote all six songs to, “Who Is Gonna Rescue You,” in January 2023, shortly after my mom passed away and I left my husband of 22 years. Two devastating events in my life in the same month. I created the EP to tell the story of a broken relationship and how I processed my thoughts and progressed through it. Similar to the stages people go through when someone they love dies; I felt tremendous grief. At first, I was in shock and denial (“Something Happened”). How could something so beautiful (the relationship) become something I couldn’t even recognize? Next, I started trying to “sort out” what had happened. I experienced a lot of sleepless nights during that time (“Ghosts in my Head”). Eventually, I began the healing and moving on (“Leave Behind”).

2. What do you want you listeners to take away from it?

Heartbreak is a long journey. It’s a rollercoaster ride of shock, grief, despair, and eventually acceptance and personal growth. Along the way there’s a great deal of introspection and self-realization. But as you confront each ghost of the past it gets easier, and you emerge psychologically healthier, stronger, and then you can begin to live a more authentic life. Your life.

‘Something Happened’ introduces the album. The measured melodies of acoustic strings carries the song. Combined with her vocals, it carves out a distinct folk ethos. Tracy tries to trace the origins of change, of a shift in emotion and feeling, the coming of an end. It creeps up inexplicably and now everything is different. 

‘Come Around’ forms more emphatically. The guitar strums are fuller and vivid. Tracy’s vocals are set to match this energy, as she confronts the listener with, ‘Who’s gonna rescue you’. The song reminds us that people have their expectations. Doesn’t mean we abandon ourselves to meet them. Sparked by country blues, it is feel-good. 

3. Almost all the tracks spark a contemplative spirit in the listener. What would you say is the role that the lyrical faculties played in this collection? And how do you think it defines you as an artist?

I was a psychologist in my previous career, but I think I became a psychologist because I was naturally “tuned into” people early in life and very observant of all the ways people behave, handle emotions, and express their feelings. As much as I observed and studied people in order to help them solve their problems, I did the same for myself. Songwriting is a perfect second career for me because it allows me to share my thoughts and experiences in a creative way and which is also extremely therapeutic.

4. All musicians find resonance to a genre pretty early on in their life. Your love for storytelling with acoustics and country folk themes seems almost innate. When and how did you arrive at your sound?

When I was young, I listened to great songwriters such as James Taylor, Carole King, Jim Croce, Cat Stevens, Paul Simon, Sheryl Crow, Shawn Colvin, and Crosby, Stills, & Nash. Many of these songwriters played acoustic guitar and used a folk-rock, storytelling kind of style.

I taught myself how to play basic chords on an acoustic guitar my parents bought me when I was twelve. I had three guitar books: James Taylor, Carole King, and Cat Stevens. I played those songs over and over again during my high school years. My favorite class in school was English and I loved it whenever I had a chance to write creatively. It seemed to come natural to me. Then I went to college and didn’t play guitar for many years. I became a school psychologist and worked with elementary school children.

Seven years prior to leaving my career in psychology I decided to take guitar lessons with a jazz guitarist. After a year of developing my chord knowledge I felt an urge to write my own songs. I began writing Christian songs for performing in church. Playing in church gave me songwriting, singing, and performing experience. A year later I formed
a folk trio called, “Serendipity.” We performed folk rock songs, as well as my originals in coffeehouses. So, I got to “test out” the response from the audience. Often audience members would tell me that they really enjoyed my story-telling approach to songwriting which gave me confidence to write more.

When Serendipity broke up, I started recording my originals on GarageBand with a Rochester musician and releasing them on SoundCloud. As my songwriting became better, I decided I wanted to have my songs professionally recorded for release on digital platforms. My first song, “One Petal at a Time,” which I wrote for my mother who was in a nursing home, was recorded with the long distance support of Jordan Ruiz, a producer who lived in LA. I loved what came out of our collaboration and have been working with Jordan ever since.

‘Ghosts in My Head’ is an explorative track, in that it encourages us to seek out and make peace with the demons of our past. The lines, ‘Sit with your shadows, listen to what they have to say, and when you’re ready, make your peace with it’ is so simply profound that it fulfills you. Swaying violins play into the gentle strokes of guitar and folk beats to create a seamless flow. 

5. What concepts and themes do you find yourself constantly returning to as an artist? Sonically, emotionally, or otherwise & why?

I find I’ve been writing a lot about the complexities of love and independence. For instance, how do I live my authentic life but still love someone? Is that possible? Can I love someone but still grow? How much can I give myself to someone else without losing myself in the process? These have been ongoing questions for me.

6. Who are some of the artists that inspired your journey and your work? What are some of the values that you picked up from them as a musician?

I love Sheryl Crow’s style of songwriting. Similar to her, I see myself as a “truth teller.” I tell the truth in my music. I see music as a place to, “tell it like you experience it.” I think what I write about in my songs are thoughts and feelings that are universal to many people. I learned “truth-telling” from listening to my songwriter heroes, James Taylor, Carole King, and Cat Stevens.

‘Borrowing Oxygen’ is a beat intensive acoustic number that reinforces the power of self to sustain itself. So you don’t need to stay in difficult relationships because you think you’ll be lonely. Don’t borrow oxygen when you can breathe on your own. It is followed by the quirky guitar rhythms and confessional ballad in ‘What I’m Doing’. ‘Leave Behind’ ends the album on a country note. Plush with harmonicas and falling wisdom, it creates space to let go, move on, and seek out a new beginning. 

7. What projects/releases do you have lined up for the near future?

I just released a new single, “Not Too Far Away.” It has an old western vibe to it. The theme of leaving a relationship, moving on, and growing is still a part of what I’ve been writing lately. I also recorded a new single, “This Cocoon,” which I will release sometime in late March or early April.

I’m beginning to produce lyric videos for my songs. I just released my first lyric video for “Not Too Far Away” on February 16, 2024 on YouTube. I’m constantly writing new songs and thinking about what the next project will be. Currently, I am developing a new band, “Tracy & The Accidental Cats,” to promote my music in live gigs. The solo guitarist, Ray Bellizia, from the 1980’s band, “Pearl,” is helping me to reimagine some of my material for live performances. I’m hoping the band experience will be another growing period not just for me but for everyone in the band.

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The track is available for streaming on popular sites like Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube Music, and Amazon Music! 

You can listen to ‘Who Is Gonna Rescue You’ by Tracy Eckstrand here - 

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