Indie Singer-Songwriter KATY ROSE Discusses New Music, Favorite Artists and More!

Meet the indie singer-songwriter Katy Rose who recently released her hauntingly beautiful, nostalgia fueled video for her take on The National’s classic “Fireproof.”

Video Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=06odMT2Tw30&t=7s

Katy first made a splash with her hit “Overdrive” which was featured on the Mean Girl’s soundtrack. After growing up in the spotlight and parting ways with her label Katy is now taking control of her career and sound as she works on new, original music.

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Learn more about Katy Rose in the following All Access interview:

Thanks for your time today! How has 2017 been treating you? Musically, did you approach this year any differently than you did last year?  

* Hello! It’s a pleasure to speak with you. So far, 2017 has been an adventure! It started with a lot of moving around the US and Europe for a project, but I’ve recently had the opportunity to spend a lot of time creating and writing in the UK. Location often really informs my songwriting choices, so it’s been really fun to explore the places London has inspired me to go musically.

Where does this interview find you today? Is there music playing in the background? If so, what is it? What kind of music do you listen to when you are working? What music gets you instantly out of a bad mood?

* I am currently cozied up at my boyfriend’s family home in Richmond, looking out at the boats on the Thames, and listening to Jacques Brel. Since I play music and write songs for a living, I need a lot of quiet and don’t listen to music while I work. The music that instantly gets me out of a bad mood is probably hip-hop or UK grime. It never fails to take me out of myself, if only to laugh at how ridiculous I must look bopping around to Dizzee Rascal.

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

* Both of my parents are/were touring musicians, and I actually grew up in a recording studio. I think it would’ve been very strange if I was never captivated by music. I never, however, had big plans of being a singer. I spent most of my time writing short stories and poems and thought I might be a novelist or journalist. I just happened to be surrounded by sound, so it was inevitable that I eventually put a poem to music. The rest is herstory!

If you weren’t a musician today, what else could you see yourself doing?

* I would probably be a Tudor history hobbyist who supported her crazy habit through travel and adventure journalism.

I always like to ask artists about where they came from and how that city or town has influenced them as an artist now. So how do you think your hometown(s) have affected who you are as a musician and the art that you create?

* I was born and raised in Los Angeles, which I’m sure influenced me more than I realize. Maybe growing up in Hollywood made me reject anything superficial and manufactured as I was developing my own sense of likes and dislikes. It makes sense that I would rebel against the generalized vapid fallacy that LA sells.

How do you think that you have continued to grow as an artist year after year? What has remained the same about you and your music?

* Over the last few years, I’ve really worked on developing the craft of songwriting. There are distinctive styles of songwriting in all of the places I’ve studied. For example, Stockholm songwriting is very different than Nashville songwriting. I think I’ve still managed to indulge my quirkier side when it comes to my artist project, though!

What can you tease about the new music you are planning on releasing this fall? Can you elaborate on the fact that it will be a 3 part series? How does it compare to your earlier music?

* Oh! Expect some gender bending and dreamy, wacky sounds. It will be three parts just because there are so many songs! I think it’s clear that this album is still Katy Rose. Maybe it’s just a Katy Rose who has explored life a bit more.

Where did the idea to cover The National’s song, “Fireproof” come from? Have you wanted to cover it for a long time?

* I began 2017 by blazing across the US with my boyfriend (who’d never been to America). During one of our last flights, Peter played me “Fireproof.” It was a favorite of his and quickly became a favorite of mine. The National do such a beautiful job of making simple words so profound. Every time they sing, “You’re the needle in the hay/You’re the water at the door,” it tears at my heart a little bit.

What was it like joining up with Amazon/Music to release your original song and video for “Somebody Got There First”?

* It was really fantastic! Everyone at Amazon was a joy to work with, and my band and I had the greatest day shooting the video for “Somebody Got There First.”

What are your plans for the rest of this summer? Do you have any plans to play out live at all?

* We’ve been having a very English summer in London! I’ll just be wearing my slippers and sweats in Notting Hill, obnoxiously working out the kinks in my live set. I’m not playing this summer, but I’m definitely playing in Paris and London in the fall.

How do you think being a musician gives you the most joy in life today? How do you hope to be a good role model for young women today?

* Being a musician continues to give me so much. I try to steal moments here and there to appreciate the fact that music has allowed me to follow a very alternative path that has still lead me to what I really consider to be my dream life. I am free to move and explore the world. What began as just a cathartic form of expression has remained so even as it has become my professional vocation. Though I don’t ever stop and think of myself as a role model, something I hope to inspire in young girls is their own capacity to stay spirited and strong in who they are. This world of Instagram filters and Facebook friends is scary and false. I jumped into the image conscience intensity of the music business at thirteen and somehow managed to remain honest and raw, I think. I hope I inspire young girls to stay unfiltered! There’s great beauty in the mess.

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

* The artists who I feel will never stop teaching and inspiring me are (to list a few) Patti Smith, PJ Harvey, Nick Cave, Leonard Cohen, Nick Drake, Lou Reed, and Tori Amos. Fiona Apple is an old friend, and I definitely hope to collaborate with her in the future! She is perfect, and I love her.

What do you hope is the message of your music? What do you hope people continue to take away from your songs?

* I think a message in my music is to never be ashamed of or scared of your more feral or dark parts. I think it’s so important to have an open dialogue with your shadows and to love the less polished parts of yourself

What advice would you give to someone just getting started on this music path? Or even to someone young that is thinking of becoming a musician one day?

* My advice would be for them to first dig very deeply and honestly ask themselves how much they want to embark on this journey. To survive as a musician, you have to really want it. You have to know that this is the only way you will be happy living. You need persistence and drive, supported by passion. It isn’t the easy road that many people assume it is, but-if you really want it- the rewards are insurmountable.

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

* I just can’t wait to connect with them. Thanks so much for reading!