Rocky Rose is a film composer and professor turned songwriter and performer, unleashing her alter ego!
Born in Chardon Ohio, she moved to Boston for Berklee College of Music and went on to get her Masters of Music from the Royal College of Music in London, backpacking, traveling, and soaking in cultures the entire journey.
She composes for orchestra, tops the nerd charts working in tech for software companies, infuses her songwriting with her love of arrangement and orchestration, and even does crazy special effects makeup! Her love of all things creative even sparked her to start her own RockyRoseArt shop on Etsy!
Rocky now resides and thrives in sunny Los Angeles, California. 1 In Music emet the multi-instrumentalist.
1 In Music: What is unique about you and your music?
Rocky Rose [RR]: It’s edgy, it’s fun, it’s simple yet sophisticated. I love writing very visual lyrics and nailing an all-round vibe for each song. Everything I write is a bit different – I’m a chameleon of sorts – stay tuned for an extra special “out of this world” song and music video coming in 2022!
1 In Music: What or who shaped your music and who supports you?
RR: I wanted to know and see the world – and as soon as I learned my first instrument (piano) I was off and running with it, with massive support from my family.
Music can take you places mentally, sonically, emotionally –
but as a musician, it can physically take you to the most beautiful places in the world to play.
I love touring! I continue to play for many artists across the globe, and I’m always finding new inspiration for my own music.
1 In Music: When did you realise you were going to make music professionally?
RR: As a gemini with ADHD motivation, I get bored easily. Music is the one thing that satisfies my soul and urge to create – and I’m always spinning out something new. Music is that one thing I just can’t live without!
1 In Music: When you say music, what type do you actually listen to?
RR: Honestly? Classical to jazz to rock to EDM to orchestral to ALWAYS finding new playlists on Spotify! You name it, I’ll stalk it and admire it 😉 Music transcends time, dimensions, and genre, so I’m always open to a new listen – no matter where it’s from!
1 In Music: Who, to you, is the most undervalued music artist?
RR: Ariel Bellvalaire – killer electric guitarist rocker who hangs upside down while ripping solos! Get it girl! I also designed her website for her on the music platform I work for – Rhythmic Rebellion!
1 In Music: How do you prepare for your performances?
RR: Meditation and then a solid 15 minutes of handstands and cartwheels!
1 In Music: What do you do when you don’t do music (creative or otherwise) and that you are passionate about?
RR:
- RockyRoseArt on Etsy
- Special Effects makeup for movies and music videos (and Halloween, duh!)
- Graphic design
- Web design
- BAKING! My grandmother owned a bakery for years!
- DANCING! Ecstatic LA is amazing – if you know, you know.
1 In Music: Success to you is…?
RR: Success is impacting someone else’s life with your music. Music is subjective of course, but it’s about finding that crowd that your creative outputs resonate with.
Success is pushing past all the denials, the critiques, the opinions –
and truly finding who YOU are as an artist. After all, we’re all our own worst critics 😉
1 In Music: What do you wish you were told when you started out and that you think would help anyone who starts out?
RR: In the words of Geena Davis from her Institute on Gender in Media –
“If she can SEE it, she can BE it”.
I feel like I was always told you had to pick one thing to be successful at. You’re a female musician? Then you’re just a singer.
I’ve spent my whole life proving that you can be ALL of the things – and be known for your success at them all.
1 In Music: Let’s talk about your current single Let’s Ride… plus of course all involved!
RR: “Get in my car and let’s riiiiiide baby!” First of all, Mad props to my multi-talented husband Mike Clairmont, for playing guitar and bass on this single, mixing it and always being my number one fan! I blend indie synth pop with live percussion reggae vibes and lofi loops in this east-coast-meets-SoCal debut of my new single, “Let’s Ride”!
- Music and lyrics by Allison Piccioni
- Guitar and bass by Mike Clairmont
- Live drums and percussion by MB Gordy
- Co-produced by Allison Piccioni and Mike Clairmont
- Mixed by Mike Clairmont
- Mastered by Nando Costa
- Music video by Three Masters Media
- Huge thanks to the über talented Julo Oyanadel and Lizz Tindle!
- Sunglasses by Blenders Eyewear. Use code rockyrosemusic for a discount on their rad lenses!
I am a brand new artist on Spotify – be sure to follow me and scope my award-winning debut music video on YouTube!
1 In Music: Thank you for joining us. Just one more thing: any upcoming projects?
RR: Another single release and music video!