Q: Can you tell us a bit about yourself and how your childhood impacted your musical direction?
A: I’m a huge music lover and fan of the arts. Also, I recently graduated with a BA in Film in May 2025. I feel like my lyrics are quite cinematic, and that influences my sonic direction. My writing style is also poetic and evocative. I enjoy the art of self-expression, and writing is an outlet for me to process my emotions and tap into my creativity. My childhood was pretty Afrocentric. I grew up listening to the likes of Mary J Blige, Aretha Franklin, and Marvin Gaye. I also feel fortunate that I grew up listening to different genres of music, such as blues, soul, pop, and R&B. I frequently dabbled in classical music too. It was a nice amalgamation or blend between older music and more contemporary music. My childhood impacted my musical direction as it inspired me to embrace variety. Moreover, I like to explore singing at different octaves and even pushing myself out of my range and comfort zone. Due to my upbringing, I thoroughly enjoy putting bass or even percussion into my music–I was also a percussionist in a band in junior high at one point. I like to create music with heart and soul in mind.
Q: How are you planning on growing your fan base and sharing your music with the world? What message do you have for anyone who is about to discover “Red Rowan”?
A: I plan on growing my fan base and sharing my music with the world by making it accessible on major streaming platforms such as Spotify, Apple Music, and Youtube Music. I distribute via BandLab. Another plan that I have is to submit my music to playlists on platforms, including SubmitHub, Daily Playlists, and Spotify. I will do this before, during, and after my release. Additionally, I plan to continue to release music, whether they be singles, EPs, albums, surprise releases, or standalone material. I have posted on social media as well and provided a link to my Spotify. I want people to know that anyone can free themselves and step into their most authentic selves, especially queer and trans (LGBTQIA+) artists, women, people of color (POC), and anyone who’s an underdog or minority in society. Know that I write and sing from the heart and that I’m thought-provoking in my approach. Anyone can succeed and even redefine their definition of success just by putting themselves out there and learning through experience. Even if people haven’t believed in you or your vision, that doesn’t make it null and void; it’s quite the opposite. You have what it takes, and you’re amazing just by being. Being yourself and unique.
Q: Who is the most inspiring artist for you right now? And where do you find inspiration for making music?
A: The most inspiring artist for me right now is Lady Gaga. She is by far my favorite musician/artist. I find inspiration for making music by listening to other artists and channeling my emotions through a shared medium. I like to write while focusing on a particular emotion, memory, or experience. At times, I also write purely based on my imagination and speculative fiction. I love to create worlds with words alone! When I have a desire to express myself and be creative, music is a way for me to be both playful and intentional. It allows me to tap into my inner realms and freely operate in worlds that I didn’t even know existed. I really like music, and that inspires my music expression. It allows me to put my emotions into something tangible and lasting.
Q: Can you tell us about the story or message behind the song, “Fire and Sparks.”?
A: Yes, of course! “Fire and Sparks” is about queer liberation. It is expressing the power of love and understanding and how it can potentially overcome systemic oppression and societal opposition. I was even inspired by the Stonewall Riots in 1969. It’s a callback to the liberatory era of the 1960s and a reminder that the future can also hold that hope and promise. The message is that resistance and protest are necessary to reach where we’re trying to go as a society. Silence is violence. So, it is important to say something and to not dim our fire. Also, I wrote this song from a fairly optimistic and idealistic point of view. I was reflecting on previous romantic experiences while also forecasting unity and true love, not to mention a message of sex positivity. I was envisioning a world in which I not only loved openly but had a person, a partner, who supported me in my philanthropic and social endeavors. If nothing else, “Sparks” is an anthemic declaration of solidarity and community.
Q: How would you describe your sound in one word for potential listeners?
A: I would describe my sound in one word for potential listeners as refreshing.
Q: Did you face any challenges while writing or recording “Fire and Sparks”?
A: I honestly did have some issues with finding music/royalty-free beats that matched the sound of my voice after writing “Fire and Sparks.” It was also difficult for me to figure out how I was going to sing the song. I had to really experiment with pitch and tone. I didn’t want to sound like anybody else, even though “Livin’ on a Prayer” is what originally inspired the music direction of the song. I wanted to maintain the fast-paced, infectious, and upbeat tone while sounding like my voice, so that’s what I eventually worked into the recording and production of the song. That inspired the synths and drums.
Q: What is the message of your music? And what are your goals as an artist?
A: The message of my music is transformation. That is the main theme. The Red in Red Rowan also symbolizes power, love, passion, and rebirth. It expresses a range of powerful, unapologetically felt and experienced emotions. One of my main goals as an artist is to become a professional with commercial success, popularity, and resonance. I want to be able to independently produce my music without needing to entirely depend on a label to generate streams or monetization (revenue). I intend to make a living out of my career and invest in the things that I love. This includes investing in non-profit, grants, scholarships, and funds. Another goal of mine is to brand myself in a way where people take me seriously and admire/respect my craft as an artist. I’m looking forward to finding my audience and inspiring them to pursue their dreams. Ultimately, I aim to push through barriers within the music industry and foster the representation that the audience needs to feel affirmed as they are; I want people to feel represented, seen, felt, and understood.
Q: Who is your dream artist to collaborate with? (dead or alive)
A: My dream artist to collaborate with is Lady Gaga.
Q: What is your advice for people interested in pursuing music as a career or for those trying to enter the industry?
A: My biggest piece of advice for people interested in pursuing music as a career or for those trying to enter the industry is inspiration. Don’t try to copy other musicians or replicate them or their legacy. Feel inspired and moved by the value of what other artists produce. There is no perfect age to get started or to start seeing results. It’s okay to mess up and make mistakes. Authenticity really makes the vocals shine–and the production! Focus on evoking emotions. That’s where the passion lives. Follow your heart and trust your gut, but also know that it’s important to think rationally and be level-headed. While connections are incredibly helpful and even lucrative, they aren’t required to pursue music as a career and to enter the industry. Speaking of which, I personally recommend BandLab if you want to get started. You can download it from your Google App store. It’s a highly rated and highly effective music app that helps you to create the music that’s already strumming inside your heart and soul. Let inspiration be your greatest teacher!
Q: If you could go back in time and give a younger you some words of wisdom, what would they be?
A: Finding your voice doesn’t happen overnight; it is gradual and continuous. Your voice also evolves with time as you grow more confident and comfortable in your skin. Family might not always be the most supportive of your dreams and endeavors. You might even expect certain people to show up for you. Disappointments do happen. But the best thing you can do is believe in yourself, spend time around those who care and value you, and to not be too hard on yourself when you falter or don’t reach your expectations. You don’t need approval to be successful or to have an impact on somebody’s life. You will succeed and make sure to keep pushing even when faced with setbacks and challenges, which are opportunities in disguise. We women have what it takes to make it in a world that often views us as second-class. Women and non-binary people such as myself are the future. Be kind and gentle with yourself. It’s a process. Self-care is incredibly important. Furthermore, don’t try to force yourself to be someone you’re not or be somewhere you’re not because of internalized external pressure. Try not to let other people’s opinions stop you from self-actualizing and doing what you love or make you come alive. It’s okay to feel hurt and to be sensitive while looking at criticism as a way to grow and develop into your best version yet.
