ROSIE
Adds To Hit-Making Repertoire With “Sad Sad Sad”
After years worth of stunning pop releases, ROSIE has proven herself to be one of the industry’s most talented up-and-comers. The artist from Nyack, New York continues to celebrate unprecedented streaming success along with a publishing deal, record deal, and growing TikTok fame.
The singer/songwriter is best known for honesty and truthtelling, both of which are essential qualities to her music. “Never The 1” and “Retail Therapy” are just two of her popular heartbreak anthems, collectively surpassing over 14 million Spotify streams. Unsurprisingly, ROSIE’s latest release shines with similar emotional resonance; “Sad Sad Sad” gives a clever, personal outlook into the five stages of grief and mental health awareness.
“I believe my purpose as an artist is to spread mental health awareness and provide a support system through music for those who are in need,” she explained. “I want this song to serve as a reminder that everyone is going through something, and no one has to go through it alone.”
We recently talked to ROSIE about the newest single, how she takes on writer’s block, and more! Scroll down to read our full Q&A.
Hey ROSIE! Thank you so much for speaking to us today. First of all, we love the new single, "Sad Sad Sad"! How are you feeling about it coming out?
Hi! Thank you for interviewing me. I am so pumped for “Sad Sad Sad” to finally come out! I wrote this song nearly a year and a half ago with two of my favorite collaborators, Matteo Scher and Florio, so we’re stoked to finally share it with the world!
This one tears at the heartstrings for sure. Can you talk us through what inspired the track?
This track has taken on two meanings actually. When I first wrote this song, it was about my struggles with depression and anxiety and how I was coming up on my one-year anniversary of taking antidepressants. As time passed and we entered the pandemic, the song began to take on a new meaning. Now as we surpass one year of social distancing, quarantining, wearing masks, etc, I think it’s fair to say we are all grieving someone or something, and I think that is the reason this song will resonate. Also, this song is track 7 on my 7 songs E.P. about the five stages of grief, so it represents the last stage, acceptance, that despite all efforts, I am still sad.
What was the process of writing and recording the song like? Did you do anything different this time around?
Yes, this song was created completely different from the rest of my upcoming project, and here’s why:
A. It was written in January 2020, 6 months before I wrote the rest of my E.P
B. It is the only song on my E.P that was written with two collaborators.
C. It was the only song I wrote before going through my very traumatic breakup, which is what sparked the other 150+ songs I wrote that year and the other 6 songs you’ll hear on my upcoming project.
D. It was written in a very linear way, starting with verse 1 and continuing on with each section in order.
What’s one message that you want fans to take from the song?
I believe my purpose as an artist is to spread mental health awareness and provide a support system through music for those who are in need. I want this song to serve as a reminder that everyone is going through something and no one has to go through it alone.
You’ve got an EP coming out this Fall, so exciting! What can fans anticipate from the project?
I am so proud of this body of work! My EP is a 7-song project that is based around the five stages of grief. Each song represents a different stage, or what I call a “transition song,” which takes us from one stage into the next. You can expect lots of raw emotion, open and honest lyrics, catchy melodies, and more pop-like production!
As a native New Yorker, do you feel the local music scene influenced your sound at all?
I do! I actually wrote every song on my project in New York, so it has a very special place in my heart for sure. There’s also a “go-getter” energy in New York and I find that inspires me and always keeps me motivated to write and create.
If you were to host a music festival, who are the three artists that you’re choosing to headline the event?
Oh man, it would be hard to pick just three, but Julia Michaels, Kacey Musgraves, and Ariana Grande.
Do you ever encounter writer’s block? If so, what are some of the ways you get through that?
As shitty as writer's block is, I actually try to embrace it and use the time away from writing to reset and recharge. Every couple of months I take a week off of writing, and when I come back I swear I am so much better than I was before the break. Also to get out of it, I love setting up low-stress co-writing sessions so I can put myself in a room full of creative energy, and that usually does the trick!
Has there been a moment over the past couple of years that still feels surreal to you?
Going viral on TikTok will always be the most surreal music industry experience I think I’ll ever have. But aside from that, it’s also been pretty insane signing a publishing and record deal in a pandemic, everything happening over zoom, dropping out of college, and working with some of my favorite artists of all time. Everything that has happened recently has been surreal.
“Sad Sad Sad” Music Video
Speaking of, you are an absolute TikTok talent! What’s it like having nearly 500k followers on the app?
Ahh, thank you so much. Overall I just feel honored to have that many supporters. There is strength in numbers for sure, and the more of a platform I have, the bigger change I can make in the world.
“Lie Lie Lie” Cover Artwork / Click to Listen!
Has that changed the way you make music at all?
Sometimes I feel like there’s an added pressure to post content but I put that pressure on myself, all of my followers/fans are so supportive and I couldn’t ask for a better social media community.
“Never The 1” has nearly 13 million Spotify streams! Did you ever think that the song would blow up as it did?
Omg, it does? I had no idea! I never had a clue that would be the song to blow up. I thought the counting backwards from 10-1 was clever, but not 13 million streams on Spotify clever!
What’s your best piece of advice for an up-and-coming artist?
Pay it forwards in terms of how much work you put into your craft. Just work hard without expecting to get anything in return, and do your best to meet as many musicians as you possibly can. I think the formula is: Hard work + connections + a little luck = successful artist!
What are some things you enjoy doing outside of the studio?
I love doing anything physical and outdoors, so, running, walking by the water in Brooklyn, picnics, hiking upstate, going to the gym, etc. Outside of physical activity, I’m really into reading and journaling lately.
Which ROSIE lyric best describes your life at the moment?
I am totally a workaholic so I think the line, “my therapist says it’s okay to rest”, from “Sad Sad Sad.” I’m really working on taking time for self-care, and getting good sleep, and nourishing my body, so I think that sums it up.
When ROSIE makes it to LA, ______________.
When ROSIE makes it to LA she will continue to write with more of her favorite artists and produce her songs with more of her favorite producers and she will live out all of her wildest musical dreams!