INTERVIEW: RÓSA — Music Musings & Such

INTERVIEW:

RÓSA

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I am excited about everything RÓSA…

put out there. The L.A. band talks to me about their latest jewel, Nightmare, and the inspirations behind their E.P., The Taste of Another. I find out how the music came together and the sounds that inspire them; how certain decades inspire their music; whether Trump’s presidency impacts the way they write – and whether they are coming to the U.K. soon.

I ask about the L.A. scene and how they unwind away from music; if they have a favourite memory from their careers so far; whether there will be more singles coming up – what advice Will, who helms the questions, would give to new songwriters emerging.

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For those new to your music; can you introduce yourselves, please?

We are RÓSA. We are a band from L.A. and we make synth-driven Pop music. I am the singer; my name is Will. Taylor plays guitar and synth and Mike drums and engineers (and produces our music).

They are my best friends.

Nightmare is your latest track. What is the story behind the song?

Nightmare is a song about regretting the past and feeling uncomfortable in a place where something significant had happened. This, in particular, was something I experienced vividly in the downtown area of my town.

It is from the upcoming E.P., The Taste of Another. Are there consistent themes that run through the E.P.?

The only consistent theme is love and our relationship with regret - and deriving meaning from the past.

Will there be more songs released from the E.P.? Maybe, a video for Nightmare?

No video for now - but the E.P. does have two additional songs that are also great.

It seems like the 1980s – and a certain vibe – is influential to you. Is that the decade/type of music you all gravitate towards? What kind of stuff were you raised on?

We were actually raised on older stuff from the 1960s and 1970s. We just love the sounds from that era.

How did RÓSA get together? When did you all meet?

We met a religious conference in San Diego and talked music and just went for it - and here we are today.

California is where you are based out of. How important is the city and its people to you?

The L.A./O.C. area is huge for us. We love being from here. L.A. is inspiring and challenging and O.C. is comfortable and fun. It’s all cool.

Do you, as a band, react to what President Trump is doing to the nation? Do his decisions compel any songwriting at all?

We react, for sure. We talk a lot about the political climate. It doesn’t influence our writing, however. We work in the interpersonal realm. Political commentary is excessive in my opinion. Especially from people who don’t know sh*t...

Like most musicians.

Can we see you tour soon? What gigs do you have coming up?

We just headlined The Satellite in L.A. We have no wider touring planned currently.

Do you think you’ll ever come to the U.K.? Do you listen to British music at all?

Yes. We, for sure, will get to the U.K. and we love British artists. We love Adele - does that count?!

What do you hope to achieve, as a band, in 2018?

We hope to write everybody’s favorite album.

Have you each got a favourite memory from your time in music – the one that sticks in the mind?

Our headline set at itsaschoolnight in Hollywood was really great. We all jammed and had fun.

What advice would you give to new artists coming through?

Write a sh*t-ton of great music before you do anything publicly. Play shows before you put music out. Don’t listen to anyone but yourselves about your music.

Do you all get much time to chill away from music? How do you unwind?

We unwind with our girlfriends.

Finally, and for being good sports; you can each choose a song and I’ll play it here (not any of your music - I will do that).

Will: People to Go by Strange Names