After spending the last few years releasing a smooth and enticing array of lo-fi offerings, Irish singer and songwriter ROE is now kicking things up a notch as she drops the energetic new single 'Cruel'.
Channelling a bold and blistering indie-rock aesthetic this time around, 'Cruel' makes for a exciting and engaging return for the artist. Filled with sweet and sweeping tones, pulsing production, and killer hooks aplenty, this new release spells some incredible promise for the young upstart.
So with the new single available now, we sat down with her to find out more about her background and what has inspired her most over the years.
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What was the first instrument you fell in love with?
I fell hard for playing guitar, up until that point I’d been doing grades in piano and cello but guitar is where something clicked and I began writing. I think it was extremely exciting because I took a few lessons but mainly it was up to myself to figure out what way I wanted to approach it. I’m still learning and actually back taking some lessons just because there’s so much more I want to learn about it.
What kind of music did you love when you were younger?
I was the odd kid in school for loving bands like Modest Mouse, Bombay Bicycle Club and The Clash. My dad always played a lot of music from bands like U2 around the house and I grew up listening to what my big brother was into, so I think my family really influenced my music taste when I was younger.
What was the first album you remember owning?
I had a big phase of going into secondhand CD shops and buying up any album that had interesting artwork or that I’d vaguely heard of and going home to listen to them on my bright pink CD player one after the other. I think the first was Bombay Bicycle Club - A Different Kind of Fix. I got to see them live soon after in the Nerve Centre here in Derry and I remember the feeling of how electric the room was.
What is the one song you wished you could have written yourself?
VBS - Lucy Dacus, I’ve been listening to her album (Home Video) on repeat and everything about it is ridiculously great. This song in particular is lyrically one of my favourites, I just think she’s incredible haha.
Do you have any habits or rituals you go through when trying to write new music?
Usually the best songs come from late nights for me, it’s like my brain switches on after 11PM. I’m pretty erratic when writing because I don’t like to force it, which means it takes longer for the songs to be finished but I think it’s worth it to come out with something that I’m really happy with.
Who are your favourite artists you have found yourself listening to at the moment?
Lucy Dacus, girl in red, Andy Shauf, Soccer Mommy and Bachelor.
If you could open a show for anyone in the world, who would it be?
I’d love to support Big Thief, definitely a dream gig.
What do you find is the most rewarding part about being a musician?
Getting to play my music to an audience and hearing them sing back the words. It’s so easy to feel alone a lot of the time but I love the idea that the music I write brings people closer together.
And what is the most frustrating part?
The pressure to always be present. Social Media is something that I constantly have to take breaks from because it takes up so much time and sometimes you feel like you’re speaking into a void.
And what is the best piece of advice you have received as a musician?
Trust your gut, whether it’s with the people you work with or with the songs that you write. And so far it’s been pretty accurate.
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ROE's new single 'Cruel' is available to stream now. Check it out in the player below.