“On My Way Up” resonates with a dreamlike tone as though its melody is coming through a light fog. It comes from a place of melancholic contemplation but one striving for the things she sees as possible in the future. It’s not the sort of song informed by a grind-y bravado. Tishmal acknowledges the uncertainty and relative lack of control in which she’s existing with patience and acceptance waiting for events and opportunities unfold as they often do. The line “I’m drifting through now, I’m on my way up, I’ll never come down” speaks directly to this state of being as is “I’m on my way to make better days.” These are words that come from a place of making your own sense of hope when there seem to be none knowing no situations are permanent. It is interestingly enough a song of faith and hope but one without a naive outlook. It hearkens back sonically to the peak of chillwave but the vocal range and nuance of emotional expression is striking and soothing in a powerful way. Rachel Brockbank took on the name Tishmal from the Luiseño word for “hummingbird” (a nickname she was given as a young girl) which is fitting for the subtle grace, energy and vulnerable power found in her songwriting and singing on this debut solo project for the artist in collaboration with producers Christian Medice and Daniel Pashman. Listen to “On My Way Up” on Soundcloud and connect with Tishmal at the links provided.
Queen City Sounds and Art 
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