Artist Spotlight ~ Red Rosamond

Artist Spotlight is a segment that we started to introduce our readers to some deserving up and coming artists/bands. They have made an impact on us for all of the right reasons. We think they kick ass, and we hope you do too! Today we’d like to shine the spotlight on alternative R&B singer/songwriter/producer Red Rosamond!

Known for blending timeless soul with a modern twist and her undeniable presence, Rosamond
has drawn comparisons to Adele and Amy Winehouse while channeling the dynamism of icons
like Billie Holiday, Aretha Franklin, and Eartha Kitt. Rosamond has already gained major
traction with recent single “Sike” and as the vocalist and co-songwriter behind viral hit “Inside”
with Chris Avantgarde, which shot to #1 on Shazam’s Discovery Top 50 after being featured in
hit TV shows such as DARK, True Detective, Lucifer, and becoming the theme song for Netflix’s #1
Harlan Coben thriller Fool Me Once.

Her growing acclaim has led to millions of global streams and mainstream praise from Billboard,
VICE, Marie Claire, Clash, and more. At the helm of a career that has seen her share stages with
legendary acts such as The Smashing Pumpkins, J. Mascis of Dinosaur Jr., Cage the Elephant,
and The Black Keys, Rosamond has established herself as one of music’s most exciting artists.

We sat down with Red Rosamond for a short, but fun Q&A session.

Every superhero or villain has an origin and a band is no different minus the radioactive spiders and secret government experiments. How did you get into music?

Red Rosamond: When I was in primary school, I played violin. In elementary school, I was a choir kid, played piano, and took part in school musicals. So, I guess in a way that planted some sort of seed. In my first year of high school I was asked by a friend to audition for a group someone was putting together near me. That was my music business intro and the first time I saw a contract. We had a choreographer, vocal coaches, studio sessions, and performed at local malls and fairs. Eventually it ended after most of the kids involved saw said contract and decided against it. A former bandmate and I started our own group, using a drum machine that belonged to his aunt Faye, who was a DJ. We didn’t do a whole lot, but we had a lot of fun. Shortly after that, I turned my focus to my lifelong passion in visual arts. One thing led to the next, and years later I dropped out of Arts college and decided to pursue music as my career and haven’t stopped since.

Artist names can have a meaning or they can be a name pulled out of a hat. What’s the story behind Red Rosamond?

Red Rosamond: An older homeless dude I was friends with in the city called me Red and it stuck with me. Rosamond is my mother’s middle name and is connected to my grandfather who passed away when she was very young.

What was the inspiration behind your new single “TELL ME THE TRUTH” and how does that fit into your new album WIP?

Red Rosamond: “TELL ME THE TRUTH” is about the cyclical nature of patterns in relationships. How things can be passed through generations until someone breaks the chain. The song yearns for truth and reconciliation, transforming negative experiences into something empowering. The entire album is about life being a continual work in progress and “TELL ME THE TRUTH” explores that.

What was the first CD/album that you bought and what was your most recent CD/album purchase?

Red Rosamond: First album I bought was The Score by Fugees. Most recent album I bought was Kendrick Lamar’s Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers.

What’s your most useless talent?

Red Rosamond: I don’t have useless talent… If I have a talent, I put it to use!

What are your five favorite albums?

Red Rosamond: Oh, I hate this question! Different albums have had such an impact on me throughout the years and at different times for different reasons, but some of my all-time favorites are: Miseducation of Lauryn Hill, The Marshall Mathers LP because it was my introduction to Eminem. Amy Winehouse’s Back to Black. Amy was the only contemporary artist in my lifetime who I felt really held the torch in continuation of all the Soul and Jazz music she drew inspiration from. I so wish we could have met. Marvin Gaye What’s Going On, Bon Iver 22, A Million… I got to see them perform this live at the Hollywood Bowl when they were opening for Patti Smith. It was raining, I was wine drunk, and it was before I heard the album. It moved and healed me in ways I can’t even explain. Sade’s Lovers Rock, Tyler The Creator’s Call Me If You Get Lost, Pink Floyd’s The Dark Side of the Moon, the Waiting to Exhale movie soundtrack, and My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy by Kanye West.