Rose Cousins – Bravado

By starrymag | March 17, 2020

By: Jamie Steinberg

 

 

Q) How would you describe your sound?

A) I wish someone would tell me the answer to this. I’m not sure. It’s tough to describe by genre but it has elements of folk, pop and Americana. I would say it’s emotional, thoughtful music?

 

Q) Who are some of your musical influences?

A) Patty Griffin, Shawn Colvin and Jann Arden. There are so many and they are varied. These women are incredible songwriters and long time, early influences.

 

Q) Talk about the story behind your new song “The Lullaby (My Oldest Love).”

A) It’s about self-love and self-kindness; a lullaby to oneself. I wrote it with Tim Baker, an amazing Canadian songwriter who led the band Hey Rosetta! We were feeling how we’re so hard on ourselves and the realization that most of us are.

 

Q) What do you think it is about the song that fans connect to?

A) There isn’t a single human who escapes the struggle with self-worth, self-love, fear and loneliness. I think people who listen to the song get it because they know what it’s like.

 

Q) How does the video for the track play into the message behind it?

A) Feeling fear and doubt is vulnerable and our most vulnerable selves are the younger versions of us who may get lost as we become adults. Perhaps there are unresolved things from our childhoods that make this feeling of being lost more intense. I think if we are really going to do the work, we need to do to be true and real. We need to make sure we don’t forget our young self. It’s uncomfortable but necessary.

 

Q) What is your song writing process? Do you need music before you can create lyrics? 

A) It’s not the same every time. Sometimes I’ll get a bit of music and sometimes I’ll have an idea or a lyric. Sometimes they percolate for a long time and sometimes—these are the best—they come out in one fell swoop, fully formed. I just try to corral it as best I can when it asks.

 

Q) How much of hand do you have in the production of your music? 

A) Both hands in always. I produced my most recent record BRAVADO.

 

Q) You’re headed out on tour with John Paul White. What can fans expect from a live Rose Cousins performance?

A) Laughing and crying and real talk. Hopefully an enjoyable experience. Lots of collaboration.

 

Q) What songs off your album Bravado are you looking forward to performing live?

A) All of them. It’s a dynamic set of songs and I enjoy it at the shows we’ve done so far. My band is amazing.

 

Q) What do you hope listeners take away from listening to your album as a whole?

A) Whatever they might be seeking. My best hope is they find themselves in the songs and empathy and relief.  Hopefully they feel less alone and they sing along.

 

Q) Where are some of your favorite places to perform and what makes those locations so significant to you? 

A) I love Boston because of my huge musical family there. I love performing in Canada—Toronto, Ottawa and the Maritimes, where I’m from and where I play more often—but honestly North America is a great place to tour in general.

 

Q) Who would you most like to collaborate with on a song in the future?

A) K.D. Lang. I’d love to sing with her. Patty Griffin. I’ve been lucky enough to meet both of them and I’ve played with Patty before. They are such great performers and Patty’s writing is the bar.

 

Q) What album/band are you currently listening to and why do you dig them? 

A) Katie Pruitt. This girl can SING and write. Really enjoying her latest record. That and Leif Vollebekk from Canada.

 

Q) You are a part of social media. Why is that such an important way for you to connect with your fans?

A) I think it gives a more personal way to connect. Instagram stories can let people in to see behind the scenes.

I feel like it lets me insert my humor. Almost becomes a small channel. To be honest though, it’s a lot of work to keep up with!

 

Q) What would you like to say to everyone who is a fan and supporter of you and your work?

A) THANK YOU