In this interview spotlight, I chat with Rossa about this latest single (Talk To Me), challenges, technology and more.

Full Q&A along with links and music below.

Where are you from and what style of music do you create? (In your own words, not necessarily in marketing terms or by popular genre classifications.)

I am from Melbourne, Australia (originally from Belturbet, Ireland) and the music which I create is rock with leanings toward pop, alternative, electronic, industrial and even world music. My influences range from cult acts like Nine Inch Nails, Depeche Mode, Simple Minds, Peter Gabriel, Dead Can Dance, Smashing Pumpkins, Janes Addiction, Japan, Suede to more commercial ones like Aerosmith, U2, Prince, A-Ha, Neil Young. A lot of modern music does not interest as I feel it lacks power and emotional depth. There are a few that I like such as AWOLnation and Grimes. Amy Shark is also a great sounding artist who is pop for sure but also creating lush complex dense recordings.  I hope her next album is experimental and darker. 

What led you down this path of music and what motivates you to keep going?

Growing up in a very musical town called Belturbet on the Irish border was the main inspiration because there were so many bands there and the pubs were just heaving with live music every weekend. Also my mother sings and plays the piano and my dad is a writer and poet/playwright. As the youngest of 7 children, I got exposed to a phenomenal array of music from quality artists. All my brothers and sisters sing and play instruments. I am a self-taught musician which I feel lends well to songwriting as you don’t think of what you are doing but you focus on the power emanating from what you playing. What motivates me to keep going is the quality of the songs that I write and the reception they receive. So far its been very gratifying and without that positive feedback, I guess I would have thrown the towel in a lot earlier in my life.

How is this new release different than previous ones? Were you trying to accomplish anything specific?

The latest release ‘Talk To Me’ was an idea I had for many years but I just wasn’t sure it would be powerful as an acoustic track so I turned into a hard-hitting pop rock track with a hard edge and intricate guitar work. It is different from previous releases in that it is perhaps a little more mainstream. It was also the hardest song to record in the studio. I play all the instruments to cut costs/time and my producer Ricki Rae happens to be a session quality drummer so he plays on all my tracks. It was a demanding drum take and the layering of the guitars on the track was difficult so this took the longest to record out of all my releases so far.

Name one or two challenges you face as an indie musician in this over saturated, digital music age? How has technology helped you (since we know it does help)?

You nailed it on the head. Its never been easier to get your material out there with technology but with that comes over saturation and overproduction. Of course, its just harder to make a living from it as so many more people are doing it now than say in the 90s. The digital age and the move away from vinyl/tape and analogue recording has taken a lot of emotion from music. The human ear can detect organic from inorganic and that’s never gonna change I hope. Its great to see the return to vinyl that many are making. You just cant beat those old records for feel and emotional power.

What was the last song you listened to?

Probably an idea of my own during the night but coming home from the gig last night, I had The Carnival Is Over by Dead Can Dance soothing from my car stereo. Its a phenomenal atmospheric track with a glorious array of instruments. One of my favourite songs growing up and I return to it very often. Interestingly it was written and recorded in my hometown of Belturbet during the early 90s in an old church. Guess maybe that’s when I have a connection to it. The atmosphere is evoked for me when I first heard it really catalysed my realisation that music can put the listener in another space an time.

Which do you prefer? Vinyl? CDs? MP3s?

I have to say Vinyl as they sound better to the human ear and always will but usually of course I listen to CDs and MPs for ease of use and portability. When I get more money together, I would like to invest more in old records and maybe even return to tapes.

How about this one…. Do you prefer Spotify? Apple Music? Bandcamp? Or something else? Why?

Spotify is attractive as its user friendly. Its not great for music in general as artists get paid pittance from the hits they get but we cant really alter the digital age and we may as well succumb to the fact that alternative ways need to be explored if we are to make music a viable career choice. It saddens my that there are so many great artists out there that are not sure where their next sandwich will come from.   

Where is the best place to connect with you online and discover more music?

Spotify, YouTube, Itunes, Soundcloud, just check out my website www.rossamusic.com

Anything else before we sign off?

Thanks Joshua for the interview, you are a good man!