Jillian Rae

Lauded as a “triple threat on vocals, fiddle and composition” (Star Tribune), Jillian Rae is a fiercely unique spirit who cares more about making authentic music than about conforming to expectations. The Minneapolis-based, classically trained violinist turned country fiddler has become a commanding international presence— writing powerful genre-bending songs, heading up her own critically acclaimed indie rock band, and backing up Grammy-winning acts like The Okee Dokee Brothers. Although she got her start playing with folk and country bands, Rae’s latest album, I Can’t Be the One You Want Me to Be (2019), took a decided turn into pop and rock with unflinching, hard-hitting songs. It also showcased her skills as a multi-instrumentalist and orchestrater with layered violin tracks saturated in heavy grooves and moody arrangements. The album’s final track, Wayward One, was featured prominently in the hit Chinese film The White Storm 2 and has catapulted her into near stardom in China. 

Slowly emerging from the pandemic shutdowns, Rae has hit the ground running, recording and releasing new music. Singles Doing My Best and Stuck (both released in 2022) showcase her diverse songwriting ability. “I always found it hard to find a genre that I completely fit into and identify with. I realize now that being told to ‘pick a lane’ had really held me back from fully expressing myself and what I’m capable of musically. So now, after years of overthinking it, I can happily say that I finally figured out how to give zero f***s about what ‘the collective they' think I should be writing and releasing, and just go with the flow. My goofy little eclectic flow. Now, I finally feel like I have permission to write and sing and play exactly what I want to put out into the world. And it’s really nice! Freeing.” In early 2023, on the heals of a health scare and major surgery, Rae embarked on a three month long sabbatical to Spain, spending her time healing and writing. Her latest single Barely Breathing (a drippy piano ballad with string orchestrations and throwbacks to radio hits of the 1960s) was released in April 2023, shortly after her return to the US. She plans to hit the studio in early 2024 to start work on her next full length album.

In addition to her work as an indie musical artist, Rae is an in-demand producer, session player, and music educator. As an educator, she is beloved for her passion and down-to-earth individualized instruction, in her decades-long-running roster of private students. In the studio, she is known for her soaring pop orchestrations, fiddle parts, and thoughtful arrangements.