Following on from the release of her highly-praised self-titled debut EP last year, Dallas-based singer-songwriter Rose Devika is now returning to the fold to deliver her much-loved comeback single 'i take it personally'.
Bringing back more of that warm and inviting folk-pop aesthetic she has been cultivating lately, 'i take it personally' makes for a wondrous return to form for her. With her heartfelt vocals layered across a mesmerising production throughout, she is certainly one to keep a firm eye on for the months ahead as well.
So with the new single available to stream now, we sat down with her to find out more about her origins and what has been inspiring her most lately.
What was the first band or artist you fell in love with?
I’m not sure that I could pinpoint the very first band or artist I fell in love with, as I was lucky to be surrounded by a wide range of musical influences from an early age. However, I do remember that the first concert I actively chose to attend was The Killers, and that experience was tremendously exciting to me. In my early teenage years I was immersed in rock, indie, and alternative music, drawn to the raw energy and dynamic sound of those genres. As I grew older, my focus shifted toward powerful lyricism- I became fascinated by songs where the writing could evoke deep emotion and tell compelling stories. That search for meaningful, emotionally resonant songwriting still guides my love for music today and continues to shape my creative process as an artist.
Did you ever form a band when you were younger and if so, what did they sound like?
Just a few short months after moving to New York at the age of 18, I met an Australian girl named Maddy, and together, we formed a duo called January Grit. As a newly self-taught singer and instrumentalist, I had strong hesitations about my ability to do anything serious with music at that point in time. Working with Maddy not only helped to build my confidence as an artist, but it also introduced me in far more depth to the “behind-the-scenes” of making music. In 2018, we worked with a drummer, bassist, violinist, and cellist, to record our debut album, Here in Fahrenheit, with producer Antoine Arvizu (Sublime) in Long Beach, California. The record consisted of nine songs, combining genres such as indie, folk, and jazz. I had never been in a real studio prior to this and I loved everything about the experience. It was Antoine that later wrote a letter of recommendation when I applied to a Recording Arts College in 2021; the same college I now teach at. While January Grit ultimately came to an end in 2019, I am extremely grateful for the experiences and opportunities it led me to.
What has been your primary inspiration in writing music?
Like many artists, I have always felt an ache - a deep hunger to understand myself and connect with the world around me. My primary inspiration in writing music comes from this desire to understand - my experiences, emotions, and how I see the world. I think that writing is a process of self-discovery, a way to dig beneath the surface and make sense of the complexities of life. Through songwriting, I’m able to find clarity, heal, seek closure, and uncover meaning in moments that may otherwise feel unresolved and unexpressed.
Relationships- whether romantic, friendships, or familial - are often at the heart of what I’m inspired to write about. More often than not, these experiences, however personal, end up resonating with a listener, and this process of finding the universal in the individual and thereby connecting with someone, is an incredibly powerful experience.
What is a song you wish you had written yourself?
Arsonist’s Lullabye by Hozier. I actually have that title tattooed on my arm because of how deeply the song resonates with me. Anyone that listens to my music regularly, can very quickly and very easily deduce that I am drawn to fire. I always have been. This song is extremely close to my heart and in another life I’d like to be the one to write it.
My favorite lines in this song are:
When I was a child I’d sit for hours
Staring into open flame
Something in it had a power
Could barely tear my eyes away
All you have is your fire
And the place you need to reach
Don’t you ever tame your demons
But always keep ‘em on a leash
If there was any moment in your career you could relive, what would it be?
There have been many incredible moments in my career so far, and while it’s hard to pinpoint just one that I’d want to relive, I think the moments that stand out to me most are when my music connects with someone on a deep, emotional level. To have someone express to me that my music has a profound impact on them or to witness someone visibly experience emotion while listening to my music is still a truly surreal experience. It’s an immediate reminder of why I do this in the first place. I believe that music has the power to connect people in ways otherwise impossible and to be able to experience this with my own work is immensely humbling. I would happily relive any of those moments.
Which artist would you most love to share a stage with?
Though he unfortunately passed away at a young age, I would have loved to share a stage with Jeff Buckley. I consider many of his songs true musical masterpieces, and I am deeply inspired by his lyricism. A few years ago I read Jeff Buckley: From Hallelujah to Last Goodbye, written by his former manager, Dave Lory. One of the things that really stood out to me was how deeply and profoundly he could move his audiences. I imagine that sharing a stage with an artist of his caliber would be beyond awe-inspiring.
And is there an artist you would love to collaborate with as well?
There are so many artists I would love to collaborate with, but the first that comes to mind is Hozier.
Where do you see yourself in five years time?
In five years, I hope to be actively touring and seeing my career as an artist reach new heights. I envision myself still working in mixing, mastering, and producing, collaborating with other talented musicians, and furthering my skillset both technically and creatively. Above all, my greatest hope is to maintain the same passion, dedication, and determination that fuel my love for music today. It’s the drive, the love, and the commitment to growth that keep the journey exciting, and I look forward to where it all takes me.
Rose Devika's new single 'i take it personally' is out now. Listen to it below.
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