Gracie and Rachel captivate at the 9:30 Club on May 5, 2018. (Photo by David LaMason)

Gracie Coates (piano/keyboards, vocals) and Rachel Ruggles (violin, vocals) create a what they’ve called “orchestral pop.” Their music ebbed and flowed in dark swirls while at the same time seemed to move forward in performance at 9:30 Club on Saturday, opening Ani DiFranco.

Songs like “Don’t Know” from their debut LP, Gracie and Rachel, used rhythm and crashing music with a powerful refrain: “We don’t know you, you don’t know you us that way.” A call for equal rights and expression of the fear of erosion of what’s been fought for — “When did it become alright for you to take away our rights /
When did we decide to give away the life that we live today.”

Gracie and Rachel (the name they perform by) brought this incredibly moving force to a packed house. Alongside Gracie and Rachel was drummer/percussionist Ricky Watts. After a spirited introduction by Emily’s List on the importance of women in positions of power, Gracie and Rachel took the stage.

Most of the songs from their set came from their self-titled LP with Gracie behind the keyboard and Rachel moving across the stage. However, after the first few songs, Gracie and Rachel moved toward the front, close to the audience, with Gracie coming from behind the keyboard and Rachel leaving the violin to belt out “Gucchi Gucchi,” by Kreayshawn. An amazing set that definitely left this audience wanting more!

Gracie and Rachel continue their tour. Definitely check them out here.

Here are some pictures of Gracie and Rachel performing at 9:30 Club on May 5, 2018. All photos copyright and courtesy of David LaMason.