01Profile
A Rose Gray Photo
Rose Gray
Musician — Walthamstow
03Interview
Name, where are you from?
Rose Gray - Walthamstow (North East London).
Describe your style in three words?
Colourful, honest, soulful.
What’s the best gig you’ve ever been to?
It would have to be seeing Prince in Birmingham. My best friend managed to get us tickets on the day of the show. So we raced up with three hours to go before it started. We somehow got taken to the front for the intro music to Purple Rain. Prince blew my mind that night, I compared his stage presence to Beyonce. Something otherworldly.
If you could be on the line up with any two bands in history?
The Beatles and Blondie. I love these two bands so much. I grew up on the Beatles. I always just thought that’s how a song should sound. And Blondie, because Debbie Harry is the definition of an icon.
Which Subcultures have influenced you?
Girl group Motown.
Stacked vocals, catchy melodies. Soul music. Powerful female vocalists and tight harmonies. I'd definitely love to play with these elements in my music.
Neo-psychedelia/'90s indie dance-pop music.
I have been devouring '90s dance records recently, songs which I didn’t have the pleasure of partying to. I feel quite influenced by the '90s. To be specific - Neo-psychedelia. It brings those familiar 1960s band sounds fusing synths and sharp keys but mixing it with soulful melodies similar to Dusty Springfield. I’ve been experimenting with bringing some of these elements into my music.
If you could spend an hour with anyone from history?
John Lennon. I would love to share poetry or ask John to play something on his white grand piano. I think we could write something beautiful... try and put the world to right.
Of all the venues you’ve been to, which is your favourite?
Brixton Academy in London. I love this venue. The sound and atmosphere, the way the floor is raised so even if you're near the back you have a perfect view.
Your greatest unsung hero or heroine in music?
Of course Amy Winehouse. I grew up loving Amy, her lyricism and honesty had me in awe from a young age. I related to her, I felt like I'd never listened to a female being so honest about love and loss. But also - Melanie. She went pretty under the radar in the '60s/'70s and should have been huge.
East Londoner, Rose Gray, brings together elements of soul and conversational poetry taking lyrical inspiration from her experiences living in her native city. Her latest single, 'High Again' is accompanied by a video directed by Rose's boyfriend, Harris Dickinson. The video was filmed in one night, starring Rose as the heroine on a journey through London at night.
02Playlist
04Playlist Notes
The first track you played on repeat?
'F*ck You' - Lily Allen.
Apart from playing the Spice Girls and Christina Aguilera on repeat as a young one, I have a real memory of buying 'It's Not Me, It's You'. I remember breaking up with my boyfriend who was the definition of the guy described in 'F*ck You' so it just became my vent song.
A song that defines the teenage you?
'With Every Heartbeat' - Robyn.
If I listen to this I am 14 again dancing around my room.
One record you would keep forever?
'A Brand New Me' - Aretha Franklin (song - 'Angel' The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra version)
I grew up on Aretha Franklin. She had a true voice of an angel. I think I will love this album for the rest of my life. The Royal Philharmonic version of this record is so beautiful.
A song lyric that has inspired you?
'Leftover Wine' - Melanie.
I have never felt such a connection to a song. My nickname is Sugar Plum, so when I first heard this song I felt like it had been written for me. I'm going to get that lyric tattooed on me.
"A line from a poem of my childhood has said
That visions of sugarplums were gonna dance in my head
I'll spend my whole life making the time rhyme
But I'll still have a bowl of leftover wine
I'll spend my whole life making the time rhyme
And then I'll sing them a song of mine
You know I'm gonna do anything
Just to take up time"
A song you wished you had written?
'Waterfalls' - TLC and 'I Follow Rivers' - Lykee Li.
Love both these songs. Wish I wrote them tbh.
Best song to turn up loud?
'Started Out' - Georgia.
Obsessed with this song. Me and my friends made our own dance. Lol. Georgia is amazing live.
A song people wouldn’t expect you to like?
'Sah' - Al Massrieen.
Habibi Funk. Arabian Funk. I went to an event at the Jazz Cafe last year. I honestly found a strange love for this music. It's super out there.
The song to get you straight on the dance floor?
'Groove Is In The Heart' - Deee-Lite.
Family parties and or weddings I will leap from my chair for this song. Also 'Green Light' - Lorde.
Best song to end an all-nighter?
'Yes I’m Changing' - Tame Impala.
I played this walking home the other night, the sun was just coming up and it was a special moment, beautiful way to start/end the day.
Any new bands you are into at the moment?
'Abusey Junction' - KOKOROKO
Kokoroko are amazing. Shelia the bandleader is my keys player's girlfriend - she's a boss.
Also, Chappaqua Wrestling - 'Is She Happy Turning On Her Side?' - Really cool new band.
03Interview
Name, where are you from?
Rose Gray - Walthamstow (North East London).
Describe your style in three words?
Colourful, honest, soulful.
What’s the best gig you’ve ever been to?
It would have to be seeing Prince in Birmingham. My best friend managed to get us tickets on the day of the show. So we raced up with three hours to go before it started. We somehow got taken to the front for the intro music to Purple Rain. Prince blew my mind that night, I compared his stage presence to Beyonce. Something otherworldly.
If you could be on the line up with any two bands in history?
The Beatles and Blondie. I love these two bands so much. I grew up on the Beatles. I always just thought that’s how a song should sound. And Blondie, because Debbie Harry is the definition of an icon.
Which Subcultures have influenced you?
Girl group Motown.
Stacked vocals, catchy melodies. Soul music. Powerful female vocalists and tight harmonies. I'd definitely love to play with these elements in my music.
Neo-psychedelia/'90s indie dance-pop music.
I have been devouring '90s dance records recently, songs which I didn’t have the pleasure of partying to. I feel quite influenced by the '90s. To be specific - Neo-psychedelia. It brings those familiar 1960s band sounds fusing synths and sharp keys but mixing it with soulful melodies similar to Dusty Springfield. I’ve been experimenting with bringing some of these elements into my music.
If you could spend an hour with anyone from history?
John Lennon. I would love to share poetry or ask John to play something on his white grand piano. I think we could write something beautiful... try and put the world to right.
Of all the venues you’ve been to, which is your favourite?
Brixton Academy in London. I love this venue. The sound and atmosphere, the way the floor is raised so even if you're near the back you have a perfect view.
Your greatest unsung hero or heroine in music?
Of course Amy Winehouse. I grew up loving Amy, her lyricism and honesty had me in awe from a young age. I related to her, I felt like I'd never listened to a female being so honest about love and loss. But also - Melanie. She went pretty under the radar in the '60s/'70s and should have been huge.
East Londoner, Rose Gray, brings together elements of soul and conversational poetry taking lyrical inspiration from her experiences living in her native city. Her latest single, 'High Again' is accompanied by a video directed by Rose's boyfriend, Harris Dickinson. The video was filmed in one night, starring Rose as the heroine on a journey through London at night.
04Playlist Notes
The first track you played on repeat?
'F*ck You' - Lily Allen.
Apart from playing the Spice Girls and Christina Aguilera on repeat as a young one, I have a real memory of buying 'It's Not Me, It's You'. I remember breaking up with my boyfriend who was the definition of the guy described in 'F*ck You' so it just became my vent song.
A song that defines the teenage you?
'With Every Heartbeat' - Robyn.
If I listen to this I am 14 again dancing around my room.
One record you would keep forever?
'A Brand New Me' - Aretha Franklin (song - 'Angel' The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra version)
I grew up on Aretha Franklin. She had a true voice of an angel. I think I will love this album for the rest of my life. The Royal Philharmonic version of this record is so beautiful.
A song lyric that has inspired you?
'Leftover Wine' - Melanie.
I have never felt such a connection to a song. My nickname is Sugar Plum, so when I first heard this song I felt like it had been written for me. I'm going to get that lyric tattooed on me.
"A line from a poem of my childhood has said
That visions of sugarplums were gonna dance in my head
I'll spend my whole life making the time rhyme
But I'll still have a bowl of leftover wine
I'll spend my whole life making the time rhyme
And then I'll sing them a song of mine
You know I'm gonna do anything
Just to take up time"
A song you wished you had written?
'Waterfalls' - TLC and 'I Follow Rivers' - Lykee Li.
Love both these songs. Wish I wrote them tbh.
Best song to turn up loud?
'Started Out' - Georgia.
Obsessed with this song. Me and my friends made our own dance. Lol. Georgia is amazing live.
A song people wouldn’t expect you to like?
'Sah' - Al Massrieen.
Habibi Funk. Arabian Funk. I went to an event at the Jazz Cafe last year. I honestly found a strange love for this music. It's super out there.
The song to get you straight on the dance floor?
'Groove Is In The Heart' - Deee-Lite.
Family parties and or weddings I will leap from my chair for this song. Also 'Green Light' - Lorde.
Best song to end an all-nighter?
'Yes I’m Changing' - Tame Impala.
I played this walking home the other night, the sun was just coming up and it was a special moment, beautiful way to start/end the day.
Any new bands you are into at the moment?
'Abusey Junction' - KOKOROKO
Kokoroko are amazing. Shelia the bandleader is my keys player's girlfriend - she's a boss.
Also, Chappaqua Wrestling - 'Is She Happy Turning On Her Side?' - Really cool new band.