Something About Amber Rose
There’s a particular beauty found when both vulnerability and strength are combined; it takes guts and can deliver meaning and honesty that really just can’t be denied. Amber Rose, 20 year-old singer-songwriter from Sydney’s Northern Beaches, embodies that beauty in every way. Since her 2019 debut with single, ‘Don’t Hold Me Back’, Rose has released a number of peaceful tunes, taking us through her journey as a young creative with gorgeous lyrical skill. It’s special to see young women like her thriving in this way, empowered in their voices, which is why asked her to share a little bit about herself here for you guys. Enjoy!
WANDERER: What were your first creative and artistic interests?
AMBER ROSE: My childhood involved every creative hobby I could grasp. I began acting lessons when I was five and have been singing for as long as I can remember. My mum is an avid believer in the importance of creativity so I was enrolled in everything from ballet to musical theatre lessons. From a young age, I always had a passion for writing and literature, and was particularly drawn to poetry.
What are your main passions lately?
At the moment I’m primarily focused on music which involves many hours fiddling around with instruments and listening to artists that inspire me. Aside from that, I have spent my spare time on film photography and creative direction, shooting with local artists. I also spend a lot of time reading, which is often where I find lyrical inspiration.
What has your path been like with music, what has helped you develop the most?
I have always been extremely drawn to music, though the genres of interest have fluctuated. I have sung for the majority of my life but was never drawn to instruments much as a child. I had guitar and piano lessons at a young age but never cared for them, being infuriated by my own incapability. Discovering a writing and playing style I enjoyed coincided with me developing a deep love of playing instruments.
Who have been some of the major influences in your music and how?
My influences change every time I find a new artist or re-listen to an old album. I often find that if I foster a deep connection to an artists’ lyrics I am far more likely to be interested in their music. I am very influenced by the poetic writing of artists like Leonard Cohen, his writing is tremendously beautiful accompanied with such divine accompaniment. I take inspiration from poets such as Sylvia Plath and bind it together with musical inspiration from artists like Elliot Smith and Neil young. Woodford Folk Festival was a pivotal experience of inspiration for me. It birthed my adoration of folk music and made me feel so at home in that style of playing. I’d say folk is my main genre of inspiration but Julia Jacklin was an early influence that very much inspired my initial song-writing. In my earlier music I was still influenced by the musical theatre style that served big ballads, showing off my belt like that of Carla Geneve and Angie McMahon. However, I am becoming increasingly attracted to the fragility and softness of folk and the beauty in simplicity seen in the works of artists such as Nick Drake and Gregory Alan Isakov.
Who are your top three fave artists?
Siberian Tiger
Adrianne Lenker
Neil Young
What is something about your style that you think is unique or distinct to you?
I have always been aware of the fact that I am not a master at guitar but have developed my own way of playing that I think has now translated itself as a strong characteristic of my sound. Lyrics tend to be my primary focus and the music usually just flows along with what I write but I hope to further develop my instrumental knowledge and bring that into future projects.
What do you want people to take away from your work, what is it you most want to convey to others?
I don’t particularly have something specific I want people to take away from what I create. However, I do hope to provoke an individual emotional response in people interpreted by their own experiences.
What is one thing you would tell your future self, say in ten years time, something you hope you’ll never forget?
Create for the joy of creation itself rather than for ‘success’.
What books have you enjoyed recently?
I read a mix of books but am always drawn to poetry and the classics. I recently revisited my favourite poet, Gwen Harwood’s collection of poetry which was a massive influence in the writing of my recent EP ‘solace’. Her poetry often explores themes of life and death and loss of innocence in childhood which I am very intrigued by. I recently enjoyed ‘A Room Of One’s Own’ by Virginia Wolf and worked my way through most of Hemmingway’s books but probably enjoyed ‘A Farewell TO Arms’ the most. A stand out for me will always be ‘A Clockwork Orange’ by Anthony Burgess, the distinctive writing of this book is very interesting to me and I thoroughly enjoyed the way he integrated ideas in such an intense and unique way.
