- Words Notion Staff
Ahead of her forthcoming LP and a string of tour dates supporting Katelyn Tarver, we caught up with Rosie Darling to discuss escaping LA, saying goodbye to her old self, and her bucket list goals.
For the past few years, things have been changing for Rosie Darling. And it hasn’t been an easy road. She’s outgrown friends, learned to value herself, and, most importantly, stepped out of the box of never thinking that you’re good enough. These changes have not only consumed Rosie as an individual, but are showcased in her new music. “Boxes”, the brand-new single, delves into the challenges she’s faced of late, “[It’s] my way of saying, ‘I’ve been there too, you will get out of that confining hellish box – I swear.’
Produced with close collaborator Justin Gammela and mixed by Yianni AP, the track focuses on themes of transition and growth. It’s told through her signature flowing melodies and gut-wrenching lyrics, akin to previous releases like “Nail In The Coffin”, an emotional track about not getting closure, and “Lost On You”, a personal song about finding solace in heartbreak.
Ahead of her forthcoming LP and a string of tour dates supporting Katelyn Tarver across the States, we caught up with Rosie to discuss how she’s grown from her debut EP, saying goodbye to her old self, and escaping LA.
Hey, Rosie! Let’s take it back to the beginning… What music resonated with you growing up?
I was a huge fan of Taylor Swift and she inspired me to learn how to play guitar. We had a piano in the house so I also tried to teach myself that. My family has always been musical, too; one of my sisters did a ton of plays in school, so we were always singing around the house. My Dad plays the guitar, so music feels like it’s always been a part of me.
When did you find your own voice as an artist?
Probably after being in LA for a couple of years. Just doing a bunch of sessions, figuring out what I wanted to sing about, who I preferred working with, who I wanted to surround myself with, who would support me through this journey. My ‘Coping’ EP was the first project that really represented my sound as an artist and my writing, and from there, I sorta evolved. My second EP “Golden Age” was more upbeat but still reminiscent of the “Coping” EP and writing style, so I feel like I was able to give people something that resonates with them.” I also kinda figured out my style of writing, which is more journal entry, but still conversational, and I feel like people like that.
As you’ve gained a profile of your own, how has the nature of the job changed for you? Is it important to you to keep writing from a personal place and putting those vulnerable lyrics out to bigger and bigger audiences?
I feel like people don’t really need to know every detail of my life to relate to my music, and I think people for centuries have been writing about core human experiences of sadness, pain, grief, heartbreak, loneliness, happiness. We can all relate to each other because we’re human! I certainly write from my own personal experiences, so it’s kinda cool to hear other people respond to that and why it resonates with them, and that’s such a rewarding feeling.
You’re now based in LA – how do you find the scene there as a rising artist?
I’ve networked a lot and I’ve found my people that I love working with, but with today’s society and social media and how fast people make content, I feel like I get lost in the mix in LA. I just try to stick with the people I like to work with and fly under the radar in terms of social media. I absolutely love connecting with my listeners and I believe that social media is such a great tool to do that, which is so different to how people in LA usually use it to keep up with trends. I just have to remind myself that everyone has their own path and everybody makes it in a different way. I try to escape LA as much as I can to get away and be inspired by nature, travelling, and visiting friends because it’s so easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle of the city.
New single “Boxes” feels like the perfect track for embracing summer nostalgia and reflecting on growth and change in our lives as we hit the half-way point through the year. Can you run us through the inspiration for the track lyrically?
This song is sorta like a final goodbye to a relationship and for somebody in their 20s – we’re all learning and growing and dating and in good relationships and bad relationships. This song is a goodbye to a toxic relationship I was in. The message of the song is ‘I feel like I’m always fitting into a box, making myself small for you’. I kinda got comfortable doing that, so this song is my way to acknowledge that part of myself and also lean into some of the grieving process of letting go of relationships; to truly move on, and that’s really hard. This song was healing to write, and it’s also the most meaningful one in the album. I think it also leans into anger, especially the line, “What did you want from me?” Like, “Why? How can we find meaning in this catastrophic ending to this relationship, and how do you hold on to the good while still moving on?
It was produced with collaborator Justin Gammella – what makes you a good team?
Justin and I have known each other for a few years now and he’s one of the people that knows my voice. We both have a very special place in our heart for sad, moving, emotional songs, like piano ballads and such. So I feel like we complement each other really well, him as a producer writing the piano, and me focusing more on the lyrics and my vocals. He’s extremely talented and meticulous and puts so much time into making sure my notes are addressed and giving me direction and telling me when I’m overthinking something, so I really trust him. It’s really exciting that he’s gotten to do my album cuz it just feels right, so shout out to Justin Gammella!
And where did you turn to for visual influences for the track’s video?
I wanted to make it feel organic, and a lot of nature with a “less is more” mentality. It’s such a powerful song lyrically, so I didn’t want to wash that out with anything crazy. I wanted it to be wide spaces, fields, water, green plants… I was trying to nail the idea that this song is bringing me back to life and to myself, and the visuals portray things I am passionate about, such as playing the piano, being outside, and letting yourself be still in a beautiful place.
“Boxes” will sit on your forthcoming LP – how does it relate to the rest of the project? Are there themes running through it, or a story arc?
This song is the most meaningful one for me as of right now, but the themes are definitely about moving on and growing and recognizing your past. It’s almost like a big “goodbye” to my old self, old relationships, old friendships, and a version of myself that sorta needs to die in order for this new self to come to life and thrive. It’s an emotional album for sure. I think when I started writing it, I didn’t think it would lead to an album. I just started writing and I feel like all the songs I wrote during that season felt like they all belong to the same project. “Boxes” and “Justify” started off as the same song, and so I had to differentiate the two and it just kinda happened. There’s even songs about hope, but I believe that complicated grief is a big theme in this LP.
What will it mean to you to get the full project out in the world?
I don’t really know yet! This is the first big project that I will have released, but I do feel like it’ll be a weight off my chest. I have had unresolved feelings the past couple of years and I want to be seen and be heard for my truth, and that’s the benefit of writing this album. It has allowed me to say what I have to say, to say my piece, to express my anger, my fear, my sadness, my regret, or my hope. I think it’ll allow me to let this be the end of the unresolved emotions and tensions in my life.
Your music feels very relatable and healing – what do you want listeners to take from “Boxes”, and then the album as a whole?
I want listeners to know that grieving is okay and that there is healing at the end of something that can be so hard to go through.
You’re off on tour with Katelyn Tarver this year too – is performing live one of the aspects of being an artist you enjoy most?
I think it’s one of the aspects I’m still learning. I’m not super afraid of performing, but I feel like I’m learning and growing because every tour is so different. I’ve only toured a couple of times, one with a full band and another one that’s super stripped down. I’m really excited for this one because I’m friends with Katelyn, and our teams get along really well and I love her music, so this will be a really fun tour. Katelyn and I also complement each other really nicely and have very similar listeners, so it’ll be a really good run.
I would say that I really like performing, I just think that being on tour is hard and tiring, and I like having routine, sleep, food, so I’m still trying to navigate how it’ll all work; however, the shows are really fun and a lot of the venues are really cool, and it’s always rewarding and exciting and really sweet to meet people who really deeply connect with my music, and it’s felt like a missing piece for a long time, so I’m excited!
What track are you most looking forward to playing live?
I have a song called “Villain” – it’s such a fun song and it’s just kinda like an “I don’t give a fuck” vibe. I just think people will love it and it’s a fun one that people can dance to and is upbeat and will break up my set a little bit from all the ballads and sad songs.
Looking beyond this year, what are some of your bucket list goals you’re working towards?
One, doing a headline tour! I’m hoping to give people a full-length story and something to grasp onto. I hope it reaches more people and people connect with it and share it with their friends and family and that it would translate into a headline tour. And, two – just writing more music!