Wellington, New Zealand based 22 year old indie-soul singer/songwriter, Rosie Jade Alba, joins us to share all about her debut EP release, ‘Silhouette’ under her musical project alias, ‘Alba Rose’.
With a background of studying psychology and sociology at university, Alba quickly became a music name around the university, joining indie-pop alt-rock band, ‘Corduroy’, which for the last 4 years has had her touring and performing many festivals around New Zealand.
Throughout this musical journey, Alba has been creating and collecting her own eclectic body of work, which has led to the creation of this debut EP, containing elements of neo-soul, indie-soul, indie-pop, Jazz, alt and contemporary, ‘Silhouette’.
Alba Rose’s ‘Silhouette’ was born through the pandemic period and focus on the reflections and thoughts during this period.
The EP focuses on the idea that in order to experience the light, there must also be darkness present.. It contains tracks that speak of learning the art of letting go, accepting what is and allowing yourself to move forward with life and focusing on the good things in life.
Alba Rose, with studio live band, Rory Johns, Elijah Mulheron and Rafe Swan, has created a sound on her EP will take you to a deep vulnerable, yet positive place, with a beautiful array of soulful music.
You can listen to ‘Silhouette’ below:
Would you like to start by telling us a little about yourself?
Sure.
I’m Alba, a New Zealand-based indie-soul singer-songwriter.
I love to write, sing and play music and have been doing it ever since I was a little girl.
As of 2021 I started to release my own music and the Silhouette EP is my first full little body of work.
What was it that first inspired you to begin a career in music?
Hmmm, I’ve always loved to sing and perform, but I never really took myself and singing very seriously until my last couple of years at high school… haha, so it wasn’t until university that I realised I actually wanted to pursue a career in music.
I think it was once I started writing and touring with a full band when I knew that this was what I wanted to be doing, which was with my old university band called ‘Corduroy’ back in 2018.
We had so much fun.
Who have been your biggest influences?
Ooo I draw inspiration from such a variety of artists, both in New Zealand and overseas.
From New Zealand I love Marlon Williams, Aldous Harding, Shapeshifter, Trinity Roots, Mara TK and Lord Echo, then from overseas I draw a lot of inspiration from artists such as Lianne La Havas, Badbadnotgood, Julia Jacklin, Alice Phoebe Lou, Maribu State, Cleo Sol, Robert Glasper, a real range of indie, soul, jazz and electronic influences really.
How would you describe the feel of your music?
Authentic and eclectic.
I love combining genres and sounds.
I like feeling stories through words and mixing up melodies.
Passionate but fun.
What would you like listeners to takeaway from listening to Silhouette?
Just to be yourself, do what you want to do, accept life as it is and remember that change is growth.
What did your creative process look like as you created your EP?
The actual writing of the songs happened really quickly, which took place in April 2020 during New Zealand’s first lockdown.
Then after that the whole process was very gradual.
After the lockdown I sat down with my good friend Rory who plays the keys in my band and together we started to build them up a little more.
Then we did the same with double bass and drums, so the process took a little more time, as whilst setting up to record the EP we were also setting up for live sound and gigs.
Once we recorded the tracks as a band, I then spent months producing them by adding the textures and layers and cleaning them up, recording vocals and harmonies.
So, the process was quite slow, then once we got to the first release on the 27th of August (with my single ‘Eve’), the process has since felt extremely quick!
Where do you find your inspiration for your music?
In conversations, in real life experiences, in history and world events.
Literally everywhere.
If it triggers a feeling in me and I need a release or if I feel like I have something to say I like to try write and sing and let it out.
Meaning the song writing and themes can vary quite a lot.
I think it’s so important to balance music with life though, to allow that real life influence and experience to really flow.
That’s when the music is most authentic and relatable, which is what I love to create.
What would you like to see happen for you in your music from here?
I would just love to see people from all across NZ and the world enjoy my music in their own way.
I just want people to have special moments singing and dancing to it, and share it with their families and friends.
What is one message that you would like to share with your fans?
Just keep your head up and just keep doing your thing.
Do what makes you feel good. Time heals everything, so just keep moving and things will always work themselves out.
Where can people find your music?
Everywhere!
Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon, YouTube, Bandcamp, Soundcloud, everywhere that you can listen to and stream music
Karen Harding is a Melbourne, Australia based singer/songwriter, founder of Sounds On The Couch, and founder and operator of boutique music PR service for emerging and independent artists, Rise Indie.