Inspired by songstresses like Etta James, Amy Winehouse and Adele, Raquel Rodriguez has distinguished herself as a rising star in the competitive L.A. music scene. An alumnus of L.A.’s highly prestigious Hamilton High School Academy of Music, in 2009, Rodriguez auditioned and gained entrance into one of the most selective music programs in the nation - USC’s famed Thornton School of Music. After recently graduating, she has completed her B.M. degree in Music Industry with an emphasis in Jazz Studies. Rodriguez plays with a 6-piece backing band comprised of many of her classmates from Thornton’s music department. Since forming almost two years ago, the group has performed at some of the top venues in Southern California, including the Roxy, Key Club and the House of Blues. The band has opened for hip-hop superstars J. Cole and Big Sean, and played at the Carmel Arts & Film Festival, and most recently, they won the National Finale for the College Battle of the Bands. After releasing her 6-song self-titled EP in January of 2012, Raquel and company are hard at work putting together their first full-length album, which will feature all new original material penned by the singer herself.