Rachael Cantu is an American singer-songwriter. Born in 1982, she grew up in Orange County, California. She currently lives in both Los Angeles and Boston.
Cantu started her career fronting a southern Californian indie rock band called Quite Satellite while still at high school. She later wrote and performed as a solo artist in Los Angeles and San Diego, and opened for bands such as Get Up Kids, Saves the Day and Karate. After moving to Boston, her reputation grew amongst fellow artists. Cantu opened for Canadian folk-pop duo Tegan and Sara on two North American tours, and also for Dear Nora and Ben Lee.
Cantu's first release was the EP Blood Laughs. After signing to Q Division Records, in 2006 she released her debut album Run All Night. The album has been well received by critics, and was successful in the independent album charts. Since then she has toured North America to promote the album.
Tegan Quin of Tegan and Sara appeared as a backing vocalist on Run All Night, as well as Tony Goddess of Papas Fritas. Cantu has also recorded songs with Limbeck, Kori Gardner of Mates of State, and Jason Gnewikow of The Promise Ring.
Musically, Cantu has been described as "something of a mix of The Pretenders' Chrissie Hynde, PJ Harvey, Sarah McLachlan, and Nora Jones". She has also been compared vocally to Björk and Patty Griffin.
She's currently working on her new album with Meghan Toohey. Toohey's myspace blog reads "still plugging away at rachaels record, but it's not likely it will be ready for your ears anytime soon. i will say it's awesome and we are working on getting it to you ASAP."
