by Matt Kelchner
Photos courtesy of Melody Rose
“I have wanted to be a musician for as long as I can remember. I had my first recital when I was six. This is just who I am,” singer/songwriter Melody Rose tells me. Here at That Mag we’ve been keeping an eye on the budding artist.
Recently she’s released her debut self-titled EP and plans on following that up with her first full length album later this year. Melody Rose will be a part of our showcase at Tin Angel in Philadelphia later this month on March 26th and we were lucky enough to catch up with her in between a busy schedule and preparing for the gig.
Rose comes from a family who are no strangers to the music industry. “My mom was a singer and my dad and step-mom work in the touring/transportation industry,” she explains. Her free time and weekends were split between theatre and singing lessons with her mother and working at concerts with her dad and step-mom. She later sums everything up with a simple understatement, “I learned a lot growing up in such a musical family”.
With a strong musical upbringing, it was only a matter of time until Rose went out to lead her own musical journey. Her mix of smart, sophisticated jazz and pop music provide the groundwork in each of her songs to let her soaring, soulful voice take center stage. “I think my musical training helped lay a foundation for me when it comes to songwriting,” Rose adds, “but I definitely think that the music I grew up listening to is reflected in my sound.”
And just what exactly are some of the bands and artists behind this unique sound? It’s not quite the blend one would expect and the list certainly reaches to all different kinds of corners in the musical universe. “Some of my favorite band and artists include The Beatles, The Beach Boys, David Bowie, Billy Joel and The Rascals,” Rose says; but influences don’t stop there. She goes on to say, “I am also influenced by jazz music and the songs of the Great American Songbook.” Throw in close to a decade of studying classical/opera and vocal jazz/contemporary music and you have a lengthy and complex musical makeup that is behind Melody Rose.
“I have so many unfinished ideas for songs that have no particular meaning,” Rose describes as she discusses the songwriting process behind the current album on which she is working. Whether it’s just a lyric or two that pops into her head or a subtle hook coming in her sleep, these mini-brainstorms are almost never the same. With so many to work with, Rose has enlisted the help of her boyfriend in making her full length debut. “We collaborate a lot, so we will probably be producing the album together.”
On the night of Thursday, March 26th Melody Rose takes the trip down I-95 from her hometown in New York for a special performance at Tin Angel. Along with Rose, Matt Santry and Alexis Cunningham will also be performing. Tickets are still available online and can be purchased at the venue’s website. The Tin Angel is located at 20 S 2nd St in historic Old City, Philadelphia. Mark it on your calendars now and we’ll see you then!
