Rachael & Vilray: 2025

Rachael & Vilray returned to Studio A with a new work in hand: their album, West of Broadway, and their patented retro-with-a-wink style of genial understated vintage jazz.

Rachael Price and Vilray are contemporary pioneers of a burgeoning subgenre of pre-rock throwback that serves young singer-songwriters like Laufey, aron!, and beabadoobee well.

Key to the act is composing new songs in the style of classic standards, plus having a winning way with a true specimen from the American Songbook era.

Rachael & Vilray came to FUV with a full new portfolio of those songs. "Off Broadway" features their champion, Stephen Colbert, on the album recording, and the wistful "My Key To Gramercy Park" centers around storied stretches of classic New York.

On West of Broadway, that underscore comes in the form of "Manhattan Serenade," a bonafide, swing-era original, and exception-to-the-rule cover for the duo who mainly offer originals.

Price continues her rock adventures with Lake Street Dive, and Vilray has been spotted on tour with Rickie Lee Jones of late. It does seem that the duo's love of this music sideline is here to stay and they are always welcome in our leafy nook of the north Bronx where time stands still on its own.

[Recorded: 8/4/25. Engineered by Jim O'Hara with Erin Merriman and Sage Rochetti. Produced by Meghan Suma. Videographers: Therese Burgo, Adithi Vimalanathan, and Bella Lipayon.]