ROSIE is a 21-year-old singer-songwriter based in New York.
Last year, ROSIE stepped into the spotlight with her vulnerable single, "Never The 1," which amassed over 13 million streams on Spotify and 15 million views on TikTok. She later signed to Arista Records, where she began working on her upcoming debut EP.
ROSIE is a mental health advocate, using her platform to raise awareness about unrealistic social media standards. She is unapologetically authentic, from her social media pages to her original lyrics.
Most recently, ROSIE released her single, "Sad Sad Sad." The song highlights her signature stripped-back sound and honest lyrical content. The single's dynamics are on point; the mellow beginning builds smoothly as the song progresses, and effectively arranged backing vocal tracks emphasize the impact of the choruses.
We spoke to ROSIE about social media, influences, and new music. Read the full interview below and check out "Sad Sad Sad." Let us know what you think.
How are you doing today?
I’m great thank you! I’m starting earlier than usual today, because you know what they say about the early bird...
Where are you from?
I am originally from Nyack, New York (about 45 minutes upstate from the city), and I currently live in Brooklyn, New York.
At what age did you first start playing music? Who or what inspired you to do so?
I grew up in an extremely musical household, so I started classical training in violin at age 10 and continued for 10 years. At around age 12, I picked up the guitar and started writing more contemporary styles of music. I was especially inspired by my brother (and now manager), Matteo. As a typical younger sister, anything he did, I wanted to do it too, so we both played classical violin, guitar, and wrote songs.
What was it like to be raised in a musical family?
Being raised in a musical family (both immediate and extended), I was always encouraged to dive into my artistic/creative side, but never forced. For a long time I was an athlete and put most of my focus into sports, and I was equally supported. But the way my family tells the story, they always knew I’d become a musician, even when I didn’t have the confidence in myself.
Who are your biggest musical influences?
In terms of songwriting, Randy Newman and Ben Rector. As for artists, Julia Michaels, Kacey Musgraves, and so many more.
How would you describe your sound?
I write songs that make you want to dance and cry at the same time.
What message(s) do you hope to convey with your music?
My goal as an artist is to create a safe space for everyone, especially anyone who feels misunderstood, sad, or struggles with their mental health in any way. My motto is, "if you can’t see love in all, you can’t see love at all."
"If you can’t see love in all, you can’t see love at all."
"No filters, no Facetune, no Vsco, no makeup, no bullshit. What you see is what you get with 20-year-old singer-songwriter ROSIE:" How has your authenticity impacted your craft?
I believe the way to stand out as an artist is to be your most authentic self. As I was growing into myself as a songwriter, artist, and young woman, it was crucial to me that whatever my brand was, I wanted to be 100% behind it. I chose this brand because I believe it’s so important to show the younger generations that there is a way to participate in social media without feeling like you’re not living up to these unrealistic beauty standards. As soon as my social media content became more “raw and honest”, so did my songwriting, and everything just began falling into place.
"I believe it’s so important to show the younger generations that there is a way to participate in social media without feeling like you’re not living up to these unrealistic beauty standards."
How do you think social media can affect mental health? Is there a relationship between the two?
Social media totally as an impact on mental health, and more often than not, it’s a negative one. My goal is to utilize my social media as a tool to connect with others, to inspire, to inform, and to learn.
"My goal is to utilize my social media as a tool to connect with others, to inspire, to inform, and to learn."
What role do you think social media, specifically TikTok, has played in your success so far?
I’d like to think that tik tok was the catalyst that increased the speed at which I was able to fully launch my career. Everything that happened because of my video, whether it be the record deal, publishing deal or anything else, hopefully would have happened regardless of TikTok, just maybe a couple years from now.
Tell me about your experience with Arista Records so far.
Arista has been such a blessing. I feel grateful to have a team that not only supports my vision as an artist, but encourages me and help me find new ways to build upon my brand and sound.
What is your songwriting and recording process like?
I always start with song seeds, or concepts. Writing and completing a song can take me anywhere from 2 hours to 11 months, depending on the project. Recording to me is always the icing on the cake, the part that completes the whole process, where I can to “decorate” the body of work I have just created.
Recording to me is always the icing on the cake, the part that completes the whole process, where I can to “decorate” the body of work I have just created."
Is there anything you can share about your upcoming EP?
This upcoming project is a concept EP based on the 5 stages of grief and the loss of someone you love. There are 7 songs, each one representing a different stage or a transition from one stage into the other. I have never been so excited about a set of songs because I think they really tell a story as individual tracks and as a whole project.
Share a little bit more about your work as a philanthropist and an environmentalist.
I’m not sure I identity with those labels because I think what I am at heart is what I call a “do good, advocate”. I want to look out for the environment and raise money for those less fortunate because I have had the privilege of receiving so much in my lifetime, I want to give back the good and encourage others to do so as well.
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