Q: Welcome back, Red Rowanne! It’s fantastic to have you with us again. Since our last conversation, a lot has happened in your musical journey. To kick things off, could you share some highlights or pivotal moments that have shaped your artistic path since our last interview?
A: Hey again!! It feels really great to be back, and thank you so much for this opportunity!! I think that since our last interview I’ve been thinking more about eras as well as being more self-possessed when I write and sing. I’m continuing to come into myself and my voice. I’m also realizing that I can explore different versions of myself and still be cohesive. Whether it’s the vibrant, maximalistic, proud synthpop sound of “Fire and Sparks” or the lush, mesmerizingly intimate dream/bedroom pop vibe of “Match Made in Heaven,” there’s still a spark that can resonate with audiences and prompt inspired action. There’s still a purpose to the pop.
My path has definitely been about rebirth and alignment. Alignment with who I am and who I’m becoming. That’s what motivated me to change my artist name from Red Rowan to Red Rowanne; it felt more aligned to do so. Rowanne allows Red to be soft and lovely, and Red ignites a passion and a warmth in Rowanne; they’re complementary and actually strengthen one another. Additionally, to my knowledge, there aren’t any other artists that go by Red Rowanne, which is unique in herself. On the other hand, there are several artists who are using the name Red Rowan.
So, the direction of my artistic path has oriented toward self-invention to pave a path of authenticity and newness. I’m even thinking about branding and why I want to present myself the way I do, not just how. My goal is to be intentional while having fun with the creative process and to improve as much as I can on the technical and artistic side alike.
Q: Can you describe the musical style of Red Rowanne in three words?
A: Expressive. Innovative. Resonant.
Q: How do you stay connected with your fans, and what role do they play in shaping your musical journey?
A: I post on social media, including BandLab and Instagram, about releases and when they’re available. I also provide links in bios to make the most recent releases more accessible. I think that fans play an incredibly significant role in shaping my musical journey. Since my fans are on my mind, that alone is more than enough to encourage me to think about representation, diversity, and visibility in the music journey that I create. It inspires me to think in eras, to think outside the box, and even beyond myself. But most importantly, it’s a reminder to be authentically myself as people need to hear authenticity in music to truly feel something.
Q: You have just released your new track, ‘Match (Made in Heaven)’. Is there a story behind it?
A: Yes, there’s definitely a story behind it. Some would say its genesis is quite heavenly, for the lack of better words. “Match (Made in Heaven),” which is available on February 27, was inspired by a match I made on Bumble last May. It was a queer connection. I had connected with someone who was empathetic to my experiences and the religious trauma I described in the song as a queer woman from the Midwest and who was raised in the South. I was expressing the joy of encountering several green flags during the early phases of a prospective relationship, including emotional investment, responsiveness, and mutual interest to potentially date and be authentic.
I felt relieved by these promising signs and wrote from a place of hope and romance. That maybe this match wasn’t like all the other matches and actually valued and respected me and my time. I saw the potential and detected all the patterns before me, and that’s what inspired the lyrics. The song explores the romantic landscape of digital intimacy and the experience of connecting with a man as a trans woman in the 21st century. The story is also a longing, a desire, to turn a virtual connection into something physical, something in-person, and ultimately sustainable.
Q: What is your favorite part of the track and why?
A: My favorite part of the track was when the whole atmosphere slows down around the 4:24 mark. Everything becomes more lush and subterranean. It has this immersive and beautiful feel where everything becomes way more realized. I love how it is so hypnotic, and the title of the song becomes such a lovely refrain. All the instrumentation really comes together; you can hear it, and it feels cohesive. I also like how you can hear and discover new things each time you listen to the track, especially this section. It’s sticky.
Q: Can you walk us through the creative process of producing the track, “Match (Made in Heaven)”?
A: I really let this song marinate, and I also worked on it non-stop until I felt satisfied. I would set mini-goals inside goals. “Match (Made in Heaven” required me to keep my work professional like my other tracks. Even at this moment, it inspires me to reflect on previous songs to see if they can be improved, no matter how subtly. I did encounter a little static on the track, and ironically, it complemented the theme of communication and longing for a deeper, more tangible connection. It sounded really lived-in and like it was on vinyl.
Nonetheless, I invested lots of time to determine what it was. I listened to both the vocal track and the instrumental tracks. When I listened to the vocals alone, I applied some noise reduction and that helped. I also experimented with the volume of the overall mix as well as the instruments to help reduce its impact. This allowed me to get really creative, and I did more research on industry standards on mix volume and each individual function (i.e., mix) for each instrument type.
Moreover, once I found one beat, I looked for ones that were similar or within the same major but also contrasting. I thought about the different variations I’d like to do in the verses and choruses and started to layer that slowly but surely into the track. I wanted to create something that was uniform, evoking similar feelings throughout, but also intricate and with depth.
Q: What has been the most memorable concert or performance for Red Rowanne so far?
A: Thus far, I haven’t done a concert or a live concert yet, but I definitely have performed in front of other people before. I just haven’t told that audience that my name is Red Rowanne. That said, one of the best performances was actually duetting with another singer. They’re an alto and I’m a contralto; it was really nice hearing them go high as I really tapped into creamy, lower, richer registers while singing soul-infused songs. And it was also a great opportunity to also hit high notes and further develop my higher register. So, again, that wasn’t exactly a concert or live performance by any traditional means, but it was its own mini-performance that really sticks out and is resonant to this day. I’d say this counts as the most memorable and impactful.
Q: Reflecting on your body of work, each song holding its unique significance, could you share a particular track that stands out to you personally? What makes that specific tune special, and why does it hold a place of pride in your musical journey?
A: While I was going to go with “Home isn’t Compromise,” my debut single, I think that “Easy Breezy 23” is the track that really stands out to me personally due to its themes of self-care, acceptance, and euphoria. It’s not just about my 23rd birthday but the journey to embracing myself and embodying life’s pleasures, including sensuality and female desire. This is especially true with the rather physical metaphor of chocolate-covered strawberries. The single ironically doesn’t encompass romantic love or partnership as much as it does self-love.
After a 22nd year marked by a history of darkness, heaviness, and an anchor of weight, “23” is a mantra for lightness and even levity. My birthday was also in the autumn (more specifically, early November), and the term breezy came to mind. I wanted to feel lighter and for my life to feel easier, so that’s when I said this is my ‘easy breezy 23.’ It’s a quintessential quarter-life track. Plus, this was one of the first times I had actually celebrated my birthday in a long time, so I really wanted to go all out with triple strawberry cake and chocolate on top!
The intention was to celebrate my progress, my accomplishments, and how far I’ve come in life, at least compared to where I was previously. This specific tune holds a place of pride in my musical journey because it’s about loving oneself and basking in joy on a special day. The coming-of-age song is also about trans joy and becoming as a woman, so that definitely gives me pride in my musical journey.
Q: Exploring the diverse creative processes within the music industry is always fascinating. Could you provide insight into Red Rowanne’s unique approach to crafting music? From the initial spark of an idea to the finished song, how do you navigate the creative journey and bring its musical concepts to life?
A: Red Rowanne uses her past experiences and creative imagination as a catalyst for development and utilizes them to approach crafting music. She keeps a particular thought, feeling, memory, or circumstance in mind, then elaborates on that. Red Rowanne creates worlds out of the bucket of emotions that she brings to each song, regardless of the vibe or mood. She is a world builder and teleports the listener to her worlds through the power of her words and the vivid, tangible, and relatable images they evoke. And she is part of me, my artistic identity.
When I have that initial spark of an idea, I usually either let the ideas churn and gestate, or I’ll write them down while they’re fresh so I can begin to adapt them into the lyrics of a song. Then, I’ll start writing with the desire to flesh out the story and complete it as much as possible. I allow myself to take my time, and there are definitely variations in how long it takes, but usually not too long. I proofread it. Afterward, I save it, or I also start trying to sing it to see which register or key would be best for the emotional architecture of the song and my voice instrument. After singing and hearing myself and finally finding the version that works, I go into BandLab Studio and gradually add instruments that enhance and complement the vocals to create a musical soundscape that’s immersive, cohesive, and whole.
Q: As we wrap up our conversation, looking ahead, what aspirations or dreams do you have, and what message would you like to share with your fans as they continue to accompany you on this musical journey?
A: Looking ahead, I aspire to create and release multiple albums and EPs while building my audience, whom I really want to know and understand very well. I would eventually like to chart and become well-known for my discography and the themes present in it. Another dream of mine is to collab with other artists. I aspire to get more magazine and blog coverage (thanks for having me again!) as well. I’d also really love to make it onto more radio stations if I can. I’d like to share with my fans that I’m just getting started!! This is the beginning of my journey!! There is plenty in store, and I have lots of content that I’ve written, performed, recorded, produced, etc.
Fans will definitely get to experience the range of Red Rowanne and what she has to offer. I’ll keep my work as authentic and ingenious as I can. Furthermore, I’d like to share with fans a super exciting and timely update: I’m releasing my DEBUT ALBUM!!! And singles like “Fire and Sparks” and “Match (Made in Heaven)” are on the LP. I plan on releasing it later this year. Maybe in June. We shall see. Either way, a new body of work is on the way. So, stay tuned on this musical journey. And much thanks to everyone who streams my music and supports me. I greatly appreciate you for your devotion!!
