An Interview with Erica Rose

I had the amazing opportunity to sit down with the powerhouse vocalist Erica Rose. An exquisitely hard-working singer/songwriter, originally from New York, but now resides in California. I have seen her perform a couple times so far, and she definitely delivers stellar performances. Let’s get to know her better below.

How do you describe your creative process?
My creative process is a bit of a mess. Usually, it starts when I’m trying to fall asleep at night. I see the song in my head, usually as a performance. My songs almost always come out of how I see them being performed, and I build it from there.

Who inspired you to pursue music?
My Dad. My dad was always a dreamer. His dream was to be a racecar driver. He raced stock cars in the “minor leagues” in New York, and quit when my grandfather told him he wouldn’t help my mom or his grandkids if my dad got hurt while racing. My dad always told me that he would always stand by my dream, because he didn’t have his dad to do that for him.

When I first moved out to Los Angeles, I had no intention of pursuing music. Around Christmas time, I decided to put together an album of covers for my grandmother, who had recently been diagnosed with dementia. Music was always a way for us to connect when her memories began to fade, and conversation became difficult. When I completed the album, I sent it to my dad. A few days later he called me and urged me to do “something” with the music – put it on the internet, send it to someone, join a band…just something. A month later I was auditioning for a cover band, and a month after that I was writing my own music. My dad’s encouragement gave me the fuel I needed to do what I knew I always wanted to do.

Who are your musical influences, and how have they shaped your style?
My influences are truly all over the place. Mostly I gravitate towards female singer songwriters, but my love of different genres mirrors my astrological sign, a Gemini. My first single, Lose Sleep, was influenced by my love of classic rock and rap. The more I’ve listened to the song I’ve heard its influences from Pat Benatar, Heart, Joan Jett, Janis Joplin, and Megan Thee Stallion.

How long have you been singing or songwriting?
I started singing as early as I can remember. My earliest memory of singing was around four years old, when I was having a little concert in the bathroom after dance class. When I came out all the dance students, teachers, and moms were standing outside the door and clapping.

I’d like to say I’ve been writing music my whole life, but they were really just poems or diary entries. I always felt incapable of writing music due to my inability to play instruments. My intentional songwriting began about two and a half years ago, and it started with writing the lyrics and singing the “instruments” into my voice notes app.

Have you released any albums or singles?
Lose Sleep will be my first single, releasing on March 14th. Cry Baby is my first EP release, coming out in April 2025.

Do you have any experience performing live?
I started my performance career when I was a child. I trained in tap, jazz, hip hop, ballet, and more since I was about four years old. Eventually my mom put me into community theater, as it combined my two loves, singing and dancing. Throughout my teen years I was dead set on becoming a musical theater performer. I trained my voice to fit the “musical theater” style, but only felt at home in roles where I could really use my own voice. After high school, I went to Marymount Manhattan College to study acting. Although I don’t see myself pursuing a career in musical theater or acting (for now), I’m still trying to figure out how to incorporate tap dancing into a rock performance (kidding…but maybe not).

Are you comfortable performing in front of large crowds?
I mostly feel comfortable performing in front of large crowds because I grew up doing it. My mom would constantly put me on a table at work and family parties to sing. Also, my time studying acting prepared me for anything, I feel like I have lost the ability to be embarrassed after rolling around on the floor for four years. Only until recently have I developed some stage fright. I have been trying to overcome my fear of forgetting the lyrics – something I’ve never had until I forgot the words during a show in January of 2024. I’m trying to write more, attend more jams, and literally let myself forget the words and make them up in order to get over it.

What are your long-term goals as a singer-songwriter?
All I want to do is make a living wage making and performing my music, spend time with my family, and have babies. I don’t need to be a huge star or make millions, just that.

Who would you most like to collaborate with?
A dream collaboration would be with Raye. Her ability to bend genres and weave them throughout a song is incredible. Her writing just paints a picture for the listener, and her musicality is TOP TIER. She’s inspired me to start working on jazz standards and scatting.

If you could open for any artist, who would it be?
Tedeschi Trucks Band! My dream is to open for them at my hometown venue, Saratoga Performing Arts Center. Their shows are magical, the musicians are incredible, and Susan Tedeschi is one of my favorite artists. Not only do I admire the musicians in that band so much, but my mom would freak out (she’s a superfan like me). I’ve seen them in three different cities, and their fans are people I would love to make my own. Kind and attentive, and always there for the music.

(Interview and Photos by Denise Johnson)

Erica Rose on Instagram