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Assyrian-American singer Rachel Sarah Thomas blends folkloric and pop music from Iraq, Iran, and Syria with funk, soul, and rock n' roll. Her first single, "Shara," features sinuous vocals, a jaw dropping bass line, guitar riffs you will hum forever, and Neo-Aramaic lyrics that convey feeling beyond meaning. ‘Tura D’Nareh,’ her second single, pulls the listener into a private walk through a mountain village, into ecstatic love and pain, and insists on the joy of existence even as the lyrics have the singer begging for death. Her third single ‘Barwar’ makes a powerful rock ballad of the joyous Juliana Jendo hit Barwari, and her fourth, Kha Brata Mokhibli is a dreamy and jazzy pop-scape of unrequited love. Her fifth single, and Sheekar EP is anticipated for February 2024.

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I am Rachel Sarah Thomas

 

Based out of Chicago, Rachel Sarah Thomas fell in love with pop music in her mid 20’s after seeking something beyond the classical music she studied since the age of 5. She created a solo electro-pop project KSRA, which toured nationally, opening for artists like K-Flay and Thievery Corporation, and resulted in collaborations with rapper Talib Kweli, and a production partnership with Grammy Winning Hip-Hop duo Tha Bizness. Her song, Corners Of Your Mind, co-written with NYLO for producer Thelonious Martin, was picked up by Empire Distribution and aired on Cartoon Network. Her debut album Petra was featured on NPR and LGBTQ hit film Henry Gamble’s Birthday Party. 

After the invasion of Mosul by ISIS in 2014, Rachel redirected her energies into writing and performing music about and for the Assyrian diaspora community.

Sheekar is her latest project, a fusion of Assyrian folkloric and pop music from Iraq, Iran, and Syria, with American musical traditions. Sheekar celebrates Rachel's blended identity, offering a powerful East-meets-West fusion. Rachel hopes to introduce non-Assyrian people to her culture and inspire Assyrians with a fresh take on their music. Her first single, "Shara," from the upcoming EP Sheekar, is set for release in May 2023.