EDM Songstress, ROZES Discusses Her Latest Musical Project, What It’s Been Like Working With So Many Artists and More!

The singer-songwriter Rozes (Elizabeth Mencel) has lent her genre-blending, unique vocal to launch other major hits like Big Gigantic‘s “All of Me”, Just A Gent‘s “Limelight”, and Louis Fulton’s “Wasted on You”, racking up over 480 million Spotify streams! She is perhaps best known for her 2015 collaboration, “Roses“, with duo The Chainsmokers.

Rozes recently released her newest single “Under The Grave” (1.3M streams & featured on Spotify’s New Music Friday, Pop Rising, & more).

 Learn more about Rozes in the following All Access interview:

Thanks for your time! Now that we are in the fall of 2016, what are some words you would use to describe this year? What have been some of the highlights for you and your music?

Unpredictable, life-changing, and WOW. I think that one of the obvious highlights from this year was when my song with The Chainsmokers hit top ten on the Billboard Hot 100 Chart. From there, I released a song that gained one million plays in under a week. To me thats a huge highlight because it’s hard for an independent pop-artist to make an impact such as that with no label backing.

Growing up, did you always want to be a musician? Can you recall your earliest musical memory?

I always knew music was my destiny. I think like most musicians, I started exploring music at an early age. It quickly became my second language and my escape from the outside world. I think my earliest musical memory was a piano recital when I was about 6,  I believe I played and sung Beauty and The Beast “Tale as old as time.”

How did you come up with your name, Rozes? Why not just go by your real name? And why the unique spelling?

My grandmother’s name is Rose-Marie, and she has always been my idol. She is a huge part of the reason why I am a musician today. I remember going to her house while my parents worked, and we would sit at the piano, she would play and i would sing, and vice versa. She is my rose, so I’ll be hers.

I didn’t want to go by my “real” name because I wanted to be a bit different; I wanted people to wonder who I was, which would force people to look into my music. Some people still think I’m more than one person. I guess I’m ruining the mystery here, aren’t I? As far as the spelling goes, I think I just wanted something “different” and unique to me.

In a nutshell, how has life changed for you since being featured on The Chainsmokers’ infectious hit “Roses”? What was that experience like? Do you think that you will collaborate with them again in the future?

I never expected that writing with The Chainsmokers would produce an “infectious hit.” It’s as if I now have credentials in an industry so hard to break into. Since “Roses,” I have been the busiest I have ever been. I’ve been working with some of my favorite producers and idols, as well as writing for other artists in the industry, which has been a dream. My career as ROZES has grown immensely, as well as my fanbase and creative experience.

Working with them was like any other (good vibing) session, we got along great, and they’ve become almost like older brothers to me. I think we will work together again, however “Roses” might be hard to beat!

You have also worked with Big Gigantic, Just A Gent and Louis Futon. How did these collaborations compare to previous ones?

Each collaboration is different than the last, because each person has a certain way they like to work. Some artists I have written with prefer that I write the lyrics and melody, and others like to pitch in.

How is your recently released single, “Under The Grave” different than anything else you’ve sung on in the past?

“Under The Grave” describes exactly who I am as an artist: an upbeat person with emotional thoughts. I wrote it with the intention that the people who it is about would know it’s about them. I think it’s different than anything else I’ve written and sung on because it shows a different side of my voice, a more powerful, less fragile side.

Are you currently working on an entire collection of your own solo material? If so, when do you hope to release it?

I am currently working on my solo material, and hope to have my next single out within the next month or so!

What if anything has surprised you about this music industry? What do you think has come natural to you? What has been challenging?

I expected the music industry to be like the “cool kids” table that I would never be invited to sit at, but it has been nothing but supportive and inspiring to me as an artist and as a writer. Writing with people I have never met before has been the most natural thing for me, luckily. I would say that the most challenging part has been traveling alone. I always see how bands or duos get to travel with each other, but when I go on wiring trips, it’s just me and my guitar for however many weeks.

Who are some of your favorite artists and what bands continue to inspire you and your music? Who would you still love to work with in the future?

I have always been inspired by Adele, Sia, Gwen Stefani, and Fleetwood Mac. I love The 1975, Kings of Leon, Highly Suspect, Bel Heir, and Red Hot Chili Peppers. I would love to work with Calvin Harris or Diplo.

When you aren’t performing, working in the studio, what do you like to do for fun? How do you unwind from it all?

It’s funny because to unwind from it all, I sit at the piano and write. I love hanging out with my friends, reading, hiking, shopping, or watching movies.

At the end of the day, what do you hope is the message of your music? What do you hope listeners take away from your songs?

I want my listeners to know that it’s okay to be emotional. It’s okay to feel whatever you feel whenever you feel it. I want my listeners to learn that by being honest with your feelings, you will learn so much more about yourself.

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

Make sure to follow me on Instagram, twitter and Snapchat @rozessounds! You can also find me on all musical platforms (Spotify, iTunes, etc.,) Thank you so much for having me!