Rachel Lorin, a rock vocalist?

What a little bottle of hot sauce can do for someone’s career

Rachel Lorin was born in Buckhead, Georgia,  which is an uptown district of Atlanta. Rachel is the youngest child of four siblings to parents Fred and Tess.

Fred is a real estate investor and Tess was a full time mother. They were very supportive parents of their children’s career passions.

Rachel Lorin’s brother David became a cardiologist in 2007. Nader became an attorney in 2011 and Joshua is currently attending law school. Rachel did not want to be a doctor or attorney, like her brothers, but instead wanted a career in the entertainment industry.

“I have been taking all forms of dance class, since I was three years old. Then moved into stage, TV, print and music,” said Rachel Lorin.

At nine years old, Rachel Lorin began performing in local theater productions, including Annie. For a most unusual way to be noticed, Rachel Lorin was walking her dog when she was discovered by a photographer who introduced Rachel to Kitty Bundy from Elite Model Management. The rest is history! Rachel Lorin was tormented and bullied as child in Georgia. “I ended up moving [to New York City]. I was different … kids made my life miserable and even teachers would chime in [because] I wanted to be a performer and not follow the norm of academic studies… I was threatened by kids and teased by a couple of teachers. I would miss school for auditions and rehearsals without being penalized. I also dressed in my own style, like wearing pink furry boots, and they would pick on me for looking different. It was rough,” said Rachel Lorin. When Rachel Lorin became extremely busy as an entertainer, her family moved to Battery Park City in New York in 2008.

Unlike the shameless bullies and negative teaching at Rachel’s Atlanta school, she found solace in New York City and was just like everyone else. “Now I go to school where everyone is like me. It’s awesome. I’ve made so many friends,” said Rachel Lorin. As time has passed, and children have grown up,  those same bullies have requested to be Rachel’s friend on social media and she has ignored their request. Rachel Lorin remarked, “I find it ironic that those same kids now send me [social media] requests and say remember me?” On Friday, May 2, 2014, Rachel Lorin performed at an anti-bullying concert Broadway Battles Bullying at Joe’s Pub in New York City. Rachel’s advice to those being bullied, “Don’t ever let a bully change who you are and who you want to be. Overcome the fear and stand strong, you are not alone!”

“By the age of twelve, I knew I was going to be a performer,” said Rachel Lorin. She goes further, “My parents had to completely sacrifice their lives for me, I really appreciate it.”

Fred posted an online message on August 26, 2007 to family and friends, in which he remarked, “our 12 year old daughter Rachel has kept us busy the most. … I give the major credit to my lovely wife Tess who has managed to keep Rachel in school, while helping her with her career.”

I find it ironic that those same kids now send me [social media] requests

Tess remarked, “We didn’t want to prevent [Rachel] from reaching her potential as a performing artist since it is what she loves.”

Rachel Lorin was the youngest cast member, at age 12, of the theatrical production of Disney’s High School Musical. Approximately a year later, at 13, Rachel Lorin played a high school student in Disney’s High School Musical 2.

In August through November of 2007, Rachel Lorin had a lead role in the Off-Broadway musical Say Something, which was a patriotic rock opera that ran on weekends from August 17th through November 10th at Time Square, Art Center in New York City.

Rachel Lorin appeared with nine other children on CBS Good Morning America at 7:30 a.m. on August 27, 2007 to discuss singing “America the Beautiful” together. On September 3, 2007, Rachel sang “America the Beautiful” at the U.S. Open, Center Court, Arthur Ashe Stadium. Rachel Lorin had auditioned on Memorial Day, May 28, 2007 and was chosen the winner. “I auditioned … against 1,000 other kids and I was picked,” said Rachel Lorin.

Rachel Lorin’s first break in film was in Flying By with Billy Ray Cyrus and Heather Locklear in 2009. A year earlier, Rachel Lorin appeared in Motion Music, where she played the character Rachel. Rachel Lorin then played the cafeteria girl character in Mean Girls 2, which was released in 2011.

Rachel Lorin received an award by the 2009-2010 Fifth Annual National Youth Theatre Awards for Outstanding Featured Actress in a Musical as Evelyn Nesbit in Ragtime at the Kidz Theatre in New York City. The east regional ceremonial awards were held on August 5, 2010 at Riverdale YM-YWHA, Bronx, New York.

On August 8, 2010, Rachel Lorin announced via [social media] about being in the new show called Hip Hop High. The show closed on August 28, 2010. “Closing of Hip Hop High! So Sad! Can’t go [to] the cast party either [because] I [am] under 21,” said Lorin.

A little over a month later on October 6, 2010, Rachel Lorin performed at the Apollo in New York City. Rachel remarked after her performance, “Had an amazing time! It was sold out! [5,000] seats.”

The next couple of years, Rachel Lorin continued to perform with her dancers live. Rachel also continued to be active in various commercials, print, film and theatrical productions.

Rachel Lorin shot her first music video on May 13, 2012 for her single “Wanna Be Famous.” The video and Rachel Lorin’s first album Famous were released on July 10, 2012.

Although Rachel Lorin was in various commercials, print, film, theatrical productions, and even graced the back of an American Idol Karaoke set, Lorin received a bittersweet taste of fame as she was recognized by a fan on the streets of New York City on June 9, 2012 because of the promos being run for Oxygen’s The Next Big Thing: New York. “OMG … just
got recognized on the street from The Next Big Thing [c]ommercials,” remarked Rachel Lorin.

Rachel Lorin showcased her vocal talent on every episode of Oxygen’s The Next Big Thing: New York, which aired on June 12, 2012 through July 11, 2012. “It was a great opportunity to sing on national TV and I was the only one that was in every episode singing and being showcased. I loved the experience,” said Rachel Lorin.

Fifteen days later, on June 24, 2012, Rachel Lorin was featured in Brandon Cutrell’s Broadway Fire Island’s Cherry Grove in New York City.

Rachel Lorin has been singing dance/pop music and dancing since she was a child. Lorin started to get out of her comfort zone when she started recording and writing with Robert Venable, formerly from Evanescence, and Tony Harnell of TNT.

Sometime in September of 2012, Rachel Lorin started writing and recording her second album for four days with Robert Venable. “So excited to be writing/recording with Robert Venable … formerly from Evanescence … for the next 4 days!! Great way to start album no[.] 2,” said Rachel Lorin.

What a little bottle of hot sauce can do for someone’s career! Rachel Lorin attended Bumblefoot’s Hot Sauce Release Party at Times Scare in Times Square in New York City on January 15, 2013. When Rachel Lorin met Tony Harnell at the party, her musical career would take a detour from her traditional dance/pop sound.

Tony Harnell became a vocal mentor to Rachel Lorin in January of 2013. Tony Harnell believed so much in Rachel Lorin, that he would periodically ask her to perform with him on stage.

Tony Harnell invited Rachel Lorin to perform with him on July 30, 2013 at the Cutting Room in New York City. They shared the stage on “Northern Lights” and Harnell was so excited in Rachel’s performance that he shared a video via social media. “The talented Rachel Lorin singing the hell out of one of my classics with me last night… Holy high notes batman! Listen to this girl sing folks,” said Tony Harnell.

For years, Rachel Lorin had been performing her dance/pop music with her dancers in New York City, but Tony Harnell would challenge her vocally. Harnell noticed that Rachel Lorin had this high octave range, and dance music does not really showcase her vocal talent. On August 9, 2013, Rachel Lorin was in the studio with Tony Harnell and Robert Venable recording a rock cover song of Def Leppard’s “Love Bites.”

Tony Harnell chose “Love Bites” because “he sees Rachel Lorin as a rock singer,” according to Rachel Lorin. Some of Rachel Lorin’s rock influences are Def Leppard, Judas Priest, Halestorm, Demi Lovato, Paramore, Fallout Boy and TNT.

Tony Harnell sees Rachel Lorin as a rock singer

Three days later, Rachel Lorin as back in the studio with Tony Harnell for a seven hour recording session. “Let’s just say my rock side is coming out,” said Rachel Lorin.

For the next couple of months Rachel Lorin continued recording in the studio with Tony Harnell, including a new Stefan Altzar song. “Gonna be another great day of recording vocals on the same Neve board that Aerosmith recorded Toys in the Attic, with Rachel Lorin on one of Stefan Altzar’s kick ass tracks at my new favorite studio in Brooklyn,” said Tony Harnell.

Tony Harnell invited Rachel Lorin again to rock out with him, Andrew Virus Karkus, Jason Hagen and Cassandra Sotos on December 13, 2013 at Rockwood Music Hall in New York City. On December 13th, Rachel remarked, “Today is the day! Can’t wait to rock out with the amazing Tony Harnell. …”

On April 10, 2014, the video for “Love Bites” was released, which features Tony Harnell. The day before the release, Tony Harnell wrote the following message:

“Hey guys, as many of you know I’ve been working with a very talented young artist named Rachel Lorin. Up to this point most of her fans know her primarily as a dance/club/pop artist and she has a single coming out soon with Pitbull which is very exciting, but TOMORROW we’re rolling out the rock side of this amazing singer with a brand new video of Def Leppard’s classic hit “LOVE BITES” which I co-produced. I’m asking all my fans and the TNT family of fans to rally behind this beautiful video (which I have a little cameo in) and share it like crazy once we put the link up! I’m certain you guys are going to be blown away by this version of the song, the video and most importantly by Rachel.”

Six days later, on April 16, 2014, “Love Bites” had almost reached 90,000 views and Def Leppard included a link to the YouTube video under their Tour History section on their website.

On May 5, 2014, the video had surpassed 180,000 views. “Can’t even thank you enough for sharing and watching my Love Bites video … over 180k. Your kind words and support are helping me make my crossover from dance music to rock a reality,” said Rachel Lorin.

A month later on May 14, 2014, Pitbull’s “Burning Up the Club” (feat. Rachel Lorin and Omar Cruz) was released. Four days later, the Love Bites – EP produced by Tony Harnell and Robert Venable was released via VIP Music Records.

When an individual listens to Rachel Lorin sing her heart out vocally on “Love Bites,’ you can understand why Tony Harnell sees Rachel Lorin as a rock singer and it is not difficult to become blown away by her vocals. There is a shortage of very talented female rock singers. The modern rock world has Amy Lee, Lzzy Hale, Lacey Sturm and Maria Brink, but after that who else could sell out a venue to the older and younger generations? Rachel Lorin could and with Tony Harnell mentoring her, why not?