"an eclectic body of work that's witty, graceful, and powerfully intimate" – NPR Music

"joyful, dynamic...fans of Mika, Elton John and Sara Bareilles will appreciate. – No Depression

"hopeful and universal…empathetic lyrical meditations" – Under The Radar

"Her keen, ironic sense of humor and quirky sense of the profound is what makes her special as a songwriter" – Billboard

Acclaimed alt-folk-pop and activist band Rachael Sage & The Sequins have released a powerful, heartfelt commemorative video/single for "Nexus (Acoustic)" ahead of their forthcoming album, Under My Canopy, a beautifully reimagined, stripped-down version of the poignant track from their previously lauded studio album, Canopy. Featuring supplemental acoustic instrumentation, a sensitive new arrangement and moving performances from the cast, the important and topical song is the perfect tribute and optimistic celebratory song for Pride Month. Under My Canopy will be released this Fall via MPress/Universal/Virgin.

Sage's sobering response to the tragic story of Nex Benedict, "Nexus (Acoustic)" honors a young teen who passed away after being beaten by school peers for being nonbinary. An empathetic tribute to Benedict and their family, the achingly honest and resolute folk-pop manifesto is a universal testament to the critical importance of inclusivity. Sage shows we can all be a part of this mission, singing: "I wanna make this tide of torturousness mean something/If any good can come from desperately gathering/We can lift each other up with our resolve instead of doing nothing".

About the video, Sage says: "Creating the video for 'Nexus' was such a powerful, joyful experience thanks to the safe, almost sacred-feeling environment that our director Nick Clark created on-set in Brooklyn at the gorgeous Jalopy Theatre. The cast and crew were all so generous and emotionally available – and the solidarity we aimed to capture was beautifully mirrored by every single person involved. It was exciting to collaborate with a variety of LGBTQ+ artists and allies from across the New York-area artist community, as well as to feature Nashville-based drag artist/activist, Veronika Electronika, whose sensitive performance in Mary Gauthier's 'Drag Queens & Limousines' caught my attention and made me want to collaborate."

A remorseful commemoration and a hopeful plea to shine a light on often-overlooked intolerances, Sage's performance weaves melancholy and optimism into a beautiful, hauntingly unforgettable anthem. Produced by Sage with Grammy® nominee Mikhail Pivovarov; upright bassist Kerry Brooks (Amy Ray), harmonica player Trina Hamlin (Susan Werner), and Grammy® nominated cellist Dave Eggar (Paul Simon) embellish Sage's acoustic guitar and percussion.

Rachael discusses the song, saying: "As a member of the queer community who has witnessed bullying and violence against my fellow LGBTQ+ family too many times to count – and who has also experienced it myself as a young person – I am naturally going to be especially sensitized when I learn about incidences of violence born of sheer bigotry and fear. When I learned about the death of nonbinary teen Nex Benedict – and the bullying by their peers that their school willfully ignored – my heart broke with too much recognition. In my teens I lost a dear bandmate and friend to suicide because this person felt unable to be fully themselves in a world that had been far too cruel for them to handle. Through the years I’ve heard countless stories and anecdotes shared by both friends and strangers of both physical and emotional trauma they’ve experienced simply for being their beautiful, unique selves. My song "Nexus" is a both a tribute to Nex Benedict and also a reflection on how loss and trauma impact the LGBTQ+ community as a whole – especially non-binary and trans people – and the courage it takes to rise in unity against hate and fear, with a message of queer joy, love, and celebration of self."

Sharing stages with seminal musicians such as Howard Jones, Rufus Wainwright, Ani DiFranco, and Grammy® winners Shawn Colvin and Judy Collins – with whom she also recorded a critically-acclaimed duet of Neil Young’s "Helpless" – Sage’s career has been defined by a passion for storytelling and a vibrant, innovative sense of creativity. Following on the heels of Canopy, Rachael Sage & The Sequins' forthcoming full-length album Under My Canopy continues her ongoing journey of storytelling, reinvention, and emotional connection. Sage offers listeners a reimagined, beautifully crafted, deeply heartfelt collection of songs that feel like a refuge, woven from resilience, longing, and the irrepressible determination to find light in the darkest places.

About Rachael Sage: In addition to being a six-time Independent Music Award-winning musician and producer, Rachael Sage is also a John Lennon Contest Grand Prize winner who has performed at the Edinburgh Fringe, SXSW, and toured globally from Japan to Berlin with her band, The Sequins. Sage is also a visual artist and former ballet dancer who performed with the New York City Ballet. A self-described "cancer thriver", she is additionally a philanthropic advocate who has raised money for a wide range of causes, including Foundation For Women's Cancer, WHY Hunger, American Refugee Committee, and National Network For Youth (NN4Y), Rainbow Mind, and The Trevor Project.

Tour Dates
(please see rachaelsage.com for all ongoing US & UK tour dates)

Suggested Post
Rachael Sage and The Sequins' heartfelt new video and single "Nexus (Acoustic)" is here in time for Pride! The achingly honest and resolute folk-pop manifesto is a universally empathetic testament to the critical importance of inclusivity. Stream/download at https://mpress.lnk.to/NexusAcoustic

For more information and interview requests, please contact:
US:Jill Richmond-Johnson, MPress Records | jillr@mpressrecords.com
UK: Cat Hockley, Fifth Element PR | cat@fifthelement.biz

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rachaelsage.com

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mpressrecords.com

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