Rosie May is an honorary beard. Honestly she's lovely and a damn good musician whilst we're at it! With this is mind we figured it was high time we asked her a few questions and if you like what you read, please feel free to pop down to our Gallery Cafe show on Saturday to give her listen! Ladies and gents, we give you Rosie May...............
Hello Rosie! Hows your day been?
Hello Beards! It's been really lovely thank you; birthday cake for breakfast with a blue sky above - a sterling start to the day!
A little birdie told me you moved up from the West Country to the big city, what was it that made you fly the nest?
I was planning on going to university in London to study music, but whilst at Glastonbury, in my mentally-malleable state, my friend And The Bear convinced me to move to London with him for a few months, to pursue my music. It was a huge jump for me, as an eighteen-year-old who had an academic plan ahead, but I decided it would make a great gap year. Almost a year and a half later and I have no plan to go to university! I believe I made the right choice, as I have been able to focus on my music, singing and song-writing more than if I had to simultaneously juggle it all with essays.
How has London living been so far? Is there anything you miss about home?
It has been an intense period of ups an downs. When I first moved here I thoroughly hated it, increasingly so. I was lucky enough to make a load of great friends quite quickly and they made it feel worthwhile. I think it was mainly the stress of London; it's a culture-shock and a half, the transition from a remote little hamlet in Somerset to the capital city... I knew how valuable a move it was to be here, amidst the busiest music scene in the UK and I just kept telling myself to 'hang in there'. By the time Spring came along, I knew my way around, had friends to see and lots of gigs to play – London was beginning to grow on me and my desperation to get back home was lifting. Nowadays, I absolutely love being here. I have brilliant musical friends and connections and always something exciting on the horizon to work towards. Most days are still stressful but they are never boring. I miss Somerset all the time; the natural landscapes, fresh air, muddy walks, being at home - the good life; but my life is here now.
How is the songwriting going? Can we be on the lookout for a new album?
I've taken a fair bit of time out of performing recently to focus on some new material. I've had the problem that I think most songwriters do at some stage, which is having about ten songs on the go at the same time and not knowing which one to work on and finish first – thus, finishing none. In the last couple of weeks, however, I've felt a had surge of creativity and feel like I'm sparkling with ideas all the time. I've been writing a fair amount of poetry recently, too. Now I just need to merge my melodies with my rhymes! As far as an album is concerned, I'm certain there will be one (maybe a sneaky little EP too) before the Summer, and you Beard-Strokers will be the first to know about it!
We know you as roots folk and blues artist, are you involved in any other projects? How do they compare?
Funny you should ask that, ever-inquisitive Beard, because I'm also involved in a huge and very different project to that of my Rosie May stuff; I play guitar, sing and write as part of a band called Bubbz And The Black Notez. We're a Western/African fusion band that's loosely based around hip- hop, dub and electro. I'm one of four members; three girls and a bloke, with a live set-up that combines the qualities of a live band, a DJ and an MC. I thoroughly enjoy being part of the team, writing that style of music and generally thinking in a very different way as to what I'm used to with my folk music. There's an astounding contrast between the two in just every single way – the laid- back, jolly nature of folk music in comparison to the elitism of the 'cool' pop world. It's a sometimes daunting experience, being in the heart of the two very different worlds and trying to keep the plates spinning, but definitely a valuable and ever-exciting one.
What do you think of London’s music scene? Is it the place to be?
As I haven't really experienced any others, I can safely say it trumps Taunton's music scene! It is a fantastic place to be, especially for people on the folk scene. There are brilliant open mics every night of the week, thousands of like-minded musicians waiting to be heard and to listen and a crowd that is more open-minded than any other you will find in the UK. The only way I made the great friends I have in London was through gigging; I simply love how you can go to an open mic on your own and leave with a whole new bunch of friends and contacts. One gig nearly always leads to another and before you know it, people know you through word of mouth and you're making a name for yourself. I'd recommend spending a however-long period of time to gig around London to every musician, no matter what their style.
Come on then, whats the worst gig you’ve ever played?
Oh no, I hate recalling really bad ones... I tend to block them from my memory, but now you've jogged it, and this one gig, even thinking about it, makes me come over all queer... It was in The Hideaway, of all places! A fellow songwriter I'd met was putting on a night there and he asked me to play. It sounded like great fun but as it got closer it started to fall apart. When it came to the night it had filtered down to just us two playing. The only people that came to watch were his friends (and my one friend) and, although there was an impressive number of them, they were probably the most stiff and humourless group of people I have ever met, let alone played for. As The Hideaway is such an intimate little venue, it made it even worse. Despite being jokey and supportive whilst their friend was on, they were silent but completely unreceptive to anything I said or sang – it's hard to describe, but basically it was horrifically awkward and I was up there, squirming for about half an hour straight...
The music seems to be going well for you, what is your image of success?
My image of success for myself is one where I can see myself comfortably financially supported my music, a constant and fresh supply of exciting projects and events to part in and with people who enjoy my music all over the world. Although it is at the centre of my life and the choices I make, I feel that it's very important for it not to take over everything in my life, as I will not feel satisfied if I have no time for other things I love doing, such as travelling. Music funding my travelling and playing music as I go; now that's the life for me!
It seems appropriate as we’re on a blog to ask you about your own blogging? Is blogging something you do because it’s fun or is there are means to an end? What does it mean to you?
I am a fierce blogger. I find great comfort in the idea that my thoughts and activities are being documented, even if it's only me who is reading them. So many little thoughts, lyrical lines and significant events occur in my day-to-day life that I feel like some could be overlooked and forgotten about, as if my there isn't enough room for them all in my head. By having an easily accessible diary I can keep a record of them and then let them from slip my mind, happy in the knowledge that I can remind myself of them later on. I use Tumblr, which is a very straightforward site with its own little subculture. I am addicted to my blog and have, on many occasions, been late to social events simply because I was stuck into some long-winded post, describing the ins and outs of my extra-ordinary walk to Morrisons. The best thing about having my blog is meeting my, now, pen-pal through it; real, handwritten letters that give us both the same feel as blogging but with a greater purpose.
And to top it off how about your five favourite songs at the moment?
Ne Me Quitte Pas – Jacques Brel The most heartbreaking lament, with such honesty and desperation in his voice and words. The lyrics are incredible, find the translated meaning, the English version doesn't even compare.
Milord - Edith Piaf
Another chanson-Francais, I'm learning this song to eventually play live – it's such a fiery and dramatic song, almost theatrical. Very fun to sing! I fell in love with her voice ever since watching La Vie En Rose.
Home – Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros This has been a favourite for a while now and I'd classify it as my song of 2010, an upbeat, folky
number that make me so happy that it brings a lump to my throat!
Dream - Priscilla Ahn Since getting out my old loop pedal, this song has been on replay in my head. I'm not usually into
the pure and angelic kinds of voices, but she elevates you in this simple yet beautiful song.
Let It Die – Feist
This is one of my favourites songs to cover at the moment, I think she is one of the best songwriters of our generation and, oh my, does she have the most gorgeous voice ever! Musically, my idol.
And for those of you who can't wait till saturday please feel free to check out Rosie's Myspace:
