The player
Don’t let Rachael Yamagata fool you. She may sing and write intimate, complex, moody songs that explore the soul, but she’s still a girl who wants to have fun. Really. With her husky voice (think a hoarse Scarlett Johansson), hearty laugh and adventurous spirit, she’s willing to play along with almost anything, even if the joke’s on her.

Now a Philadelphia resident and Phillies fanatic, she took time out before an October 28 tour stop in Washington D.C. to welcome the challenge … and think twice about the name of her new record.

How you know her
• The 31-year-old singer-songwriter (born September 23, 1977, in Arlington, Va.) attended Northwestern University in Evanston, Ill., then Vassar, and released her second full-length album, Elephants… Teeth Sinking Into Heart, on Warner Bros. Records on October 7.

It’s actually an ambitious double album, with 15 songs split thematically into two separate parts. The first CD (Elephants) consists of nine tracks (plus one hidden). And while there are beautiful ballads with lush, orchestral arrangements, the subject matter is dark.

The second (Teeth Sinking Into Heart) rocks out, trashing long lost lovers behind the sounds of grungy guitars along with a few choice (and nasty) words (therefore the parental advisory sticker), while still showing her sly side. (Make sure to order up “Sidedish Friend.”)

Yamagata, who performed "Faster" from the second CD on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno on October 9, is expected to make another national appearance later in November (stay tuned for details).

Where you can see or hear her
• After touring extensively with her own band for most of September and October, Yamagata, who plays piano and recently added guitar to her repertoire, has joined the all-women Hotel Cafe Tour, where she’ll remain until its conclusion on November 18 in Los Angeles. That includes a November 11 stop at the Bluebird Theater in Denver. The tour motto:

• Her songs have been featured in several movies (Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants, Bella) and television shows such as Nip/Tuck, One Tree Hill and The O.C., on which she appeared as herself in 2005 (Season 2, Episode 11).

The Quiz

1. If you had to live your life on a TV show, which of these three would you pick: One Tree Hill, The Hills, Beverly Hills 90210 (now shortened to 90210)?
• Rachael Yamagata: “Oh, my God. I would say One Tree Hill because I think my bud [actor/singer] Tyler Hilton has actually been on that show or is on that show [playing Chris Keller], so I would live my life on that show so I could hang out with my bud.”

2. Super Bowl, NBA Finals or World Series?
• Rachael Yamagata: “I’m into the Phillies now [who were sitting on a 3-1 lead awaiting the resumption of Game 5 of the rain-delayed World Series before finishing off the Rays on October 29], that’s for sure. World Series. I might be the first act to actually have the TV on while I’m playing my set. (Laughs, pretending she’s onstage) ‘Hey, what’s the score?’ ”

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