Editor's Note: This interview with singer/songwriter - and CelebAuntie - Rachel Platten was originally conducted in April 2011. Rachel's latest hit, FIGHT SONG, hit #11 on the Billboard Adult Pop Song charts the week of May 23, 2015 and climbing! Get Fight Song and more music from Rachel Platten here.



Tell us a little about yourself:
Rachel Platten, I live in Greenwich Village, New York City, when I’m not on tour (but I’m on the road promoting my record most of the time these days). I’m a singer/songwriter and you can check out my music at www.rachelplatten.com! My debut album, Be Here is coming out on Rock Ridge/ADA Warner on April 26th.

Are you an Auntie By Relation, Auntie By Choice, Godmother or Other?
Auntie by relation.

How long have you been a Savvy Auntie? How many nieces, nephews and godchildren do you have?
I have 10 adorable nieces & nephews, and have been a Savvy Auntie for five years this August.

What do the kids call you?
Aunt Rachel!

What’s the best thing about an Auntie?
Getting to be a kid again when I hang out with them. Also, being around them helps me be more creative and lighthearted in my songwriting and in my art, and reminds me to smile and laugh as much as possible.

What’s your Auntie expertise? Are you crafty, sporty, good at mending booboos?
I’d like to think that I’m considered pretty sporty and cool with my nephews (though let’s not ask them)... I love playing soccer and throwing the football with them and am totally down to play any sports game they want. But I treasure my time playing princess & dress-up with my pretty nieces too. One of them loves to play with my hair, which is pretty excellent.

Changing diapers: bonding experience or total yuck?
I don’t mind lending a hand, but I wouldn't go so far as saying it’s a bonding experience.

What’s the first book you ever read to them or song you ever sung to them?
I sing to them all the time! I even brought a piano over to one of their houses to help them learn how to play. I make up songs as I go for them, but I do remember taking a request for a certain Hannah Montana song one time. It actually got in my head and my band made fun of me for it when I was humming it on tour once...oops.

Most fun activity you ever did with them?
Last summer on July Fourth, my sister and I made up the Fourth of July Family Olympics and we had different events: potato sack race, three legged race, egg carrying, egg toss...and we made special trophies (of course, everyone had to win). Oh man, I want to do it again this year.

Best gift you ever bought them?
Well, I do use my savvy auntie gift guide...maybe a charm bracelet with little microphone & guitar charms on it for my niece.

Spoiling: Auntie’s prerogative or Never a good idea?
I’m totally guilty. I’m a spoiler.

What’s the worst mistake you ever made with the kids? Or, greatest lesson you ever learned?
Hmm...best lesson I’ve learned is to make sure everyone feels equally special. We forget how sensitive kids are to feeling left out and it’s really important to give equal time and attention to everyone. So no playing favorites!

What do you keep in your bag when you’re taking care of the kids?
Sparkly bracelets totally impress my nieces.

What do you cherish most about your nieces/nephews?
Their unguarded view of the world. I love that they remind me to look at the big world as one big playground. Oh, and their senses of humor. Adults are way too serious! I love how silly my nephews are especially. This past fall, I asked them for possible band names for a new side project, and my nephews came up with about 30 fantastic ones! Some of my favorites include: Twisty Kick, The Alphabet Soups, The Farts (totally considered that one).

What do they love most about you?
I think they might like that I’m sillier than them sometimes...

Who are the Aunties, past, present, personal or public, that you look up to?
I absolutely treasure my aunts. I have had four in my life and all of them were role models of some kind. I remember feeling connected to them in a special way, feeling somehow let into the big secret of womanhood that seems like such a mystery when you’re little.

What are your words of advice for other Savvy Aunties?
Loosen up a little around kids and really listen! Kids can say the most insightful things. Maybe I’m biased, but my nieces and nephews are brilliant and cool and teach me things all the time.

For more, connect with Rachel Platten on Facebook.
Or follow her on Twitter @RachelPlatten.



Photo by: RachelPlatten.com
Published: April 25, 2011