Rosie Darling – Golden Age

By starrymag | September 9, 2022

By: Alejandra Gil M.

 

 

 

Q) Who are some of your musical influences?

 

A) I have so many and I feel like they change all of the time! But some that I will always love are Taylor Swift, Imogen Heap, Coldplay and LANY. 

 

Q) Talk about the story behind “What A Convincing Illusion.”

 

A) This song is more reminiscent of the sounds from my first EP, Coping, but I love the story it tells. I think everyone can probably relate to a time where they felt close to someone that ended up not being the version of them that they actually knew! I wanted to tell this story with a lot of specific, scene-setting lyrics and I truly love how it turned out! 

 

Q) “What A Convincing Illusion” came out on August 12th from your sophomore EP Golden Age. What was your song writing process like? Do you need music before you can create lyrics?

 

A) I usually hear them both at the same time! Not the entire song, of course, but usually I will get a melody with a line stuck in my head and work around that. [smiles] 

 

Q) The EP also includes tracks like “Say Less,” “Golden Age,” “Fucked Up Summer” and my personal favorite “Always Almost.” Is there a track that stands out or that was harder to record?

 

A) I think “Golden Age” might have been the most difficult only because we did a lot of takes where I was belting the chorus that are now tucked way under in the mix that you can’t quite hear as easily. I am not used to doing tons of layers for songs like that and when I was recording them it sort of became more about the emotion behind my voice instead of nailing the timing and what not. Usually, I am always finding the perfect take but for the background vocals you have a little more freedom with imperfections and that was something I hadn’t done in a while. I had to let go, find the perfect take and just have fun with it. [smiles]

 

Q) It seems like the ongoing themes of The Golden Age EP  are exploring  the longing  of  partiality,  the  regret  of  wasted  time  and  the prospects of what could’ve been during a time where connection and loneliness converge more than ever before. What do you hope listeners take away from it?

 

A) I hope they can find peace in it! The last few years have been extremely difficult for everyone and for some more than others. I wanted to capture these themes while staying hopeful. And although there are many stories in this EP, the overarching message is that your “Golden Age” really is however you define it. I hope people know that the best is yet to come. 

 

Q) You worked with writers Matt Rad (Niall Horan, James Arthur, Little Mix), Justin Gamella (FINNEAS, Bella Poarch, Lennon Stella, Ashe, Aoki, Kaskade), Cooper Holtzsman (Zachary Knowles, Dixie) and Grammy Award-winning mixer Michael Brauer (Coldplay, John Mayer, Tony Bennett). What attracted you to work with them?

 

A) Over the years I have met so many people in the music industry and usually when it clicks with a producer or writer we end up collaborating a lot more! I have been lucky to network and meet all of these creators through friends and through my label, and I am so grateful because we all care deeply about the process and what vision we are creating at the time. 

 

Q) You have some upcoming Tour Dates: September 28 Seattle, WA @ BarbozaSeptember 29 Portland, Mission Theatre October 2 Santa Ana, CA @ Constellation Room @ The Observatory October 3 San Diego, CA @ Voodoo Room @ House Of Blues San Diego October 4 Los Angeles,CA @ Peppermint Club. What songs are you most excited about performing on stage?

 

A) ALL OF THEM! There is something so special about performing songs that I have written! I think some more of the up tempo ones with “Golden Age” and “Fucked Up Summer” will be really fun compared to some of my slower songs, but I am excited for all of them. [smiles]

 

Q) What is some advice you would offer to any musicians just entering the music industry?

 

A) Take some time to figure out what you want to say and don’t let yourself get discouraged by what you see online. Real music with meaning will stand the test of time and right now with social media it can be hard to remind yourself of that. Dig deep and find the story you want to tell and tell it in a way that feels authentic to you. Write the song first and then think about how you want to share it with the world. 

 

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

 

A) So many people! But right now I am focused on writing the best songs possible for my next project and whoever I collide with to join as a potential collab will happen when it’s supposed to. I have always said I love LANY though! I am very open to collaborations as long as it is best for the song and helps tell the story.

 

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

 

A) A lot of Julia Wolf! She is such a badass and I feel empowered listening to her lyrics! I also love my sad girl music like Gracie Abrams. I also am REALLY into Tommy Lefroy! 

 

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

 

A) I love connecting with fans! I find that sharing my music on social media is another way to connect in addition to live shows; however, I try to keep it personal and would rather post less but post meaningful content. I don’t want to pull people out of their present moment unless I have something I really want to share and connect on! I do love DMing people back though and I try to get back to everyone!!!

 

Q) What would you like to say to fans and supporters of you and your music?

 

A) THANK YOU! And if you want to come hear these songs live, I would love to see you at these shows and hangout with you!!! It’s been forever since live music was back and I can finally go out and share this music in real time with you and it would mean so much to me to hear you singing along with me! Touring is uncharted territory for me, but knowing that there will be some of you there listening and supporting me makes it a whole lot less scary and a lot more exciting <3