After meeting at an open-mic night and busking around town, Santa Barbara natives Rainbow Girls thrust themselves into the life so many only dream of: traveling to Europe to perform and couch-surfing across the continent, and releasing their first album a few years later. Today they’re back in the states, and the electric stomp-folk band will be releasing their latest record at SOhO on Friday, June 5, at 9 p.m. In anticipation of their return to Santa Barbara, I spoke with bandmember Erin Chapin to discuss their new album, open mics, and busking.
Tell me about your new album. Where did you draw inspiration from musically and lyrically?
The inspiration for these songs is almost as broad, partially due to all of us being songwriters. Some of the songs have a feminist message, telling women to be strong and have respect for themselves, while others are inspired by the people we love and those we meet on our travels. All of them, however, espouse the idea that life is what you make of it. The world is full of challenges and obstacles, with lots of people and structures trying to dictate what you can and cannot do, but ultimately every choice is yours. This album calls for everyone to live their own truth, whatever that may be.