Songstress Yamagata to make Korea debut
Rachael Yamagata
By Kim Young-jin
Korean fans of American singer-songwriter Rachael Yamagata will get their first chance to see her perform in Seoul. The acclaimed artist will play two shows, Saturday and Sunday, at the Samsung Hall of Ewha Womans University.
The Japanese-American artist has won a following with her intimate, piano-backed tunes that recall Carole King and Joni Mitchell.
She broke through with her 2004 album “Happenstance,” which included the songs “Be Be Your Love” and “Duet,” both popular here.
Her 2012 album “Heavyweight” won praise for its confessional tone and intimate arrangements.
The singer has toured with acts such as the Swell Season, Ray LaMontagne, Ryan Adams, Sara Bareilles, Adam Cohen and David Gray. More recently she has played with songwriter Steve Earle for a Woody Guthrie tribute show, and also performed for President Barack Obama at the White House.
Fans of U.S. dramas may be unwittingly familiar with Yamagata’s music as it has appeared on the soundtracks for such shows as “Grey’s Anatomy,” “E.R.,” “The L Word” and “How I Met Your Mother.” Those in Korea may also be familiar with her due to her projects with well-known photographer Kim Jung-man, who calls Yamagata a “muse.”
Collaborations have included those with Jason Mraz, Mandy Moore, Dan Wilson and Katharine McPhee, and she has sung accompaniment for Bright Eyes, Dave Matthews, Ray LaMontagne and Ryan Adams.
Yamagata, 35, began her musical career as vocalist for the Chicago-based group Bumpus, but left in 2001 to become a solo artist.
The venue is located near exit 2 of Ewha Womans University Station, subway line 2. Tickets cost 88,000 won. For more information, call (02) 3143-5156 or visit
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