Breakout Singer-Songwriter ROSIE CARNEY Discusses New Music, Biggest Inspirations and More!

Building on over 30 million Spotify streams and 1.8 million monthly Spotify listeners, breakout singer-songwriter Rosie Carney’s long-awaited, deeply personal debut album Bare was recently released via Akira Records. Stream or purchase, including CD and vinyl HERE.

Bare is already receiving early rave reviews from the likes of Mojo Magazine who calls Carney’s music “haunting” and “the sound of a troubled soul finding her voice” while Earmilk describes it as “astonishingly beautiful,” “delicate but unwavering.” The Irish Times praises the record as “a gorgeous cycle that runs the whole gamut of life, love and loss.”

In support of the release, Carney will embark on a 26-date tour of the U.K and Europe with Benjamin Francis Leftwich.

Supporting Benjamin Francis Leftwich

March 21 /// Dublin, IE /// Button Factory
March 22 /// Cork, IE /// Cyprus Avenue
March 24 /// Belfast, UK /// Empire Music Hall
March 25 /// Glasgow, UK /// St. Luke’s
March 26 /// Edinburgh, UK /// The Caves
March 27 /// Newcastle, UK /// Wylam Brewery
March 30 /// Manchester, UK /// Gorilla
March 31 /// Liverpool, UK /// Leaf
April 2 /// Cambridge, UK /// Junction 2
April 3 /// Norwich, UK /// Open
April 4 /// Leamington Spa, UK /// Assembly
April 6 /// Exeter, UK /// Cavern
April 7 /// Bristol, UK /// Thekla
April 8 /// Cardiff, UK /// The Globe
April 10 /// Oxford, UK /// Church of St. John the Evangelist
April 11 /// London, UK /// Union Chapel
April 12 /// Worthing, UK /// St. Paul’s Arts Centre
April 27 /// Paris, FR /// Le Pop-Up du Label
April 28 /// Cologne, DE /// Studio 672
April 29 /// Amsterdam, NL /// Paradiso
May 1 /// Gent, BE /// DOK Box
May 3 /// Munich, DE /// Ampere
May 4 /// Vienna, AT /// Haus der Musik
May 6 /// Prague, CZ /// Rock Cafe
May 7 /// Berlin, DE /// Privatclub
May 8 /// Hamburg, DE /// Nochtwache

Of the record Carney says, “I hope these songs encourage people to go into themselves. I hope they somehow find parts of themselves when listening to them. I definitely found parts of myself when writing them. I hope they experience that—that intimacy with themselves.”

In the works for several years, Bare is the product of personal struggles Carney endured while navigating a rapid rise in the music industry at a young age. Discovered and signed to Universal Music’s Polydor at the age of 16, she fought to assert herself creatively within a large commercial system—facing pressure to co-write and even change her name—while simultaneously grappling with depression, anxiety and an eating disorder borne from personal trauma. By 18 she was dropped by the label without ever releasing a song, and ultimately left the major label system entirely. Throughout it all, the one constant has been her songwriting, which is both cathartic and empowering.

Most recently, Carney debuted tracks off the album including “Your Love Is Holy,” which The 405 called “exquisite” noting that it “captures the swoon of a new romance,” “Zoey,” “Orchid” and “Thousand (feat. Lisa Hannnigan),” which Refinery 29 proclaimed, “[‘Thousand’] may follow you around for days after you press play.”

Carney was born in Hampshire, England and at 10 years old moved to Donegal on the northwest coast of Ireland. Inspired by the rugged and picturesque landscapes of her new home, she began writing music. In 2013 she received widespread attention with a performance on Ireland’s leading live music TV series “Other Voices.” That same year she played London’s Bushstock, the first of many high profile festival billings including Latitude in the U.K., Electric Picnic in Ireland, Seven Layers in Amsterdam and SXSW in Austin. She recently supported Haux on a 28-date tour of 12 countries, including the U.S. and Canada, and is currently on tour in the U.K. and Europe.

Learn more about Rosie Carney in the following All Access interview:

Thanks for your time today! Where does this interview find you now?

On a flight from London to my home in Donegal, Ireland.

Now that 2019 has started, what musical goals do you have yourself this new year? Did you make any new years resolutions?

To expand my sound, explore and experiment with my production. To become more thick-skinned and believe in myself more. To drink more water, of course.

Growing up, how important was music in your life? Can you recall the moment when you decided that you wanted to be a musician? Was it an easy or difficult choice to make? Was there ever a time when you thought about doing something else?

Extremely important. When I discovered how to use YouTube, I would sit for hours learning how to play Taylor Swift songs. I always grew up around great music. My parents have an exceptional taste. But it wasn’t until I picked up the guitar and started plucking ‘Love Story’ that I decided it was something that I wanted to do. From then on, I didn’t think about doing anything else. The only thing that took up my time and energy was music. There was no doubt about what I wanted to do.

What has been the biggest surprise so far about making music your career? What has been an unexpected or welcome challenge to it all?

Something that I constantly find myself thinking about is how rapidly my songs are picked up in the world. Seeing where my my listeners are in the world is incredible.

How do you think you and your music have been influenced by your hometown and where you live today?

Well, anyone that’s ever been to Donegal, Ireland knows just how beautiful the landscape is. It would be hard for someone who’s creative to not be inspired. It’s taught me how to take in the world around me and use it to cultivate my art. The constant movement of London has also taught me the importance of solitude.

How excited are you to be releasing your debut album, “Bare” later this month? What was it like putting this collection of songs together? Did anything surprise you about the overall process?

I am extremely excited and of course extremely nervous at the same time. This album has been written over the space of the last 6 years. It’s inspired by and based on very impactful events that have taken place since I was a child. WYBLF, the opening track was the first song I wrote when I was just 14, and bud(rose) was written literally moments before tracking it.

While it’s difficult to choose, can you pick out a few of your favorite songs on this album and talk about the inspiration behind them?

Honestly, they all represent different life experiences that have impacted me in some way or another, so all of them. None of them would make sense without the other. Like a puzzle.

What has it been like keeping up with your social media accounts and all of the different platforms? Is it hard to stay up to date on it all? What would you say is your favorite way to connect with your fans now?

It can be difficult at times to know what message to share with my followers, especially as number keep growing. There’s sometimes pressure to always be impactful. Without sounding shallow, numbers are important in this business. I definitely think Instagram is my favourite way to connect with my fans. It offers a little window into my life, to my creative process, to my home, my dog. I feel people can get to know me through it.

Who are some of your favorite artists or rather, what musicians have continued to inspire you and your music? Who would you absolutely still love to work with in the future?

Justin Vernon inspires me a hell of a lot. I’ve actually been listening to a lot of hip hop and RnB recently too. I love trying to dissect the production in my mind when I’m listening. Hearing the different beats and just listening to all the textures. HER has inspired me a lot recently.

If you were going to be stranded on a deserted island forever, what musical item would you take with you and why?

My guitar so I could write songs about slowly loosing my sanity. Oh wait..

If your music was going to be featured on any TV show that is currently on right now, which would you love it to be on? Or if you prefer, what is a movie that you love that you wish your music was featured in?

Omg Lord of the Rings, and I’m talking all of them.. Or a film that would make more sense; The Great Gatsby. I wasn’t a huge fan of the film, but Lana Del Rey really stole the show with Young and Beautiful. Something like that.

What has been a favorite show of yours in the past? What do you think makes an ideal show for you? Do you have any tour dates you would like to tell our readers about?

Photo Credit – Daniel Alexander Harris

Peaky Blinders. It’s just an amazing show. The soundtrack always features amazing artists and I never get tired listening to Nick Cave sing the opening title song. Honestly so many I would take up a lot of room to type them all and my fingers would hurt.

At the end of the day, what do you hope your fans take away from your music? I’d like to know more about how you want your music to be timeless?

Honesty and raw connection, with me or with themselves. I want to create a strong sense of unity.

Is there anything else that you would like to share with our readers about yourself or your music?

I once had a pet rat named Matilda and tbh rats are wonderful. Don’t hate them.. Or any animal.