an interview with rosie frater-taylor

How does it feel to have such a buzz round the album ?

I feel privileged that songs I wrote for the song’s sake – with not much vision as to what I might do with them on release – have allowed me to experience so many things and meet so many new people over the last year or so.. Touring, shows, festivals, agents, my first trip to America, the Worldwide Awards… You never really anticipate these things during the writing process, it’s only in hindsight, I think, that you can truly appreciate a body of work like an album and what an achievement that is.. Whilst you’re in the process it’s just a bit of a creation-tornado, round and round in circles, the final product eludes you for years/months ! So yes, I feel privileged that people have responded to that music so positively.

Any highlights from touring last year ? Are you excited to be getting back on the road ?

We got to play some pretty banging EU festival slots last year and those audiences really know how to be great audiences haha ! Always a pleasure to play in those places, I sort of fell in love with the culture a bit – Nue Jazz Fest, Cully Jazz Fest, We Out Here, Salzburg Jazz Fest.. All the shows were epic experiences with my wonderful trio Dave Edwards (bass) and Tom Potter (drums). On top of that, supporting an idol of mine – Madison Cunningham – on her first ever UK tour was quite something

How would you describe yourself as an artist… what influences your musical choices…? 

I have a background in jazz, so over the years I’ve been influenced by this style : George Benson, Pat Metheny, John Scofield. But, generally my style is ever-changing ! I’d like to think I just sound like me.

I have a deep, deep love for the guitar… harmony and great musicianship, so those aspects tend to be at the core of my writing and what I like. Recently, style wise I’m more and more influenced by (women who) rock… Grittier artists really trying to say something about the world we live in, people like Madison Cunningham, PJ Harvey, Bjork, Nilufer Yanya, Fiona Apple, Meshell Ndegeocello all own their spaces and stages in a way I aspire to as an artist.

In terms of my musical choices, lyrics are becoming more and more of a consideration for me. The songs from my new, (unreleased) record have a lot of love / empowerment themes which was never really my intention ! I use my writing to make sense of myself and the world so having gone through revelations these past few years about femininity, various relationships, sexuality, different people I’ve been close to, it was only natural I guess for the songs to reflect that.

What can people expect from an Rosie Frater-Taylor gig? 

The live show can get kinda raucous.. My drummer Tom Potter / bassist Dave Edwards bring incredible energy to the songs so anything that goes really in groove wise tends to be my favourite ! We cover a broken beat track by Brotherly called ‘DTs’ with some wild metric modulations… I love playing my songs solo too with my looper, feels like you can really connect with the audience that way & I don’t have to strain the vocal cords.

What is it about the diy approach that appeals to you?

Well if you want something done right, do it yourself 🙂

What are you looking forward to the most about playing mjf? 

I love the city, I’ve been a few times now (supporting Madison & I played The Blues Kitchen last year !). Just great vibes all round.. MJF is one of those iconic UK music festivals and Band On The Wall one of those iconic UK venues.. I’m so excited to be back on the road.. Playing a few new songs – we’re really gelling as a band recently and I can’t wait to bring that to lovely Manchester.

Will you be catching any other artists? If so, who and why? 

Me & my mum are going to see Hot 8 brass band – it’s her birthday so it will be great to spend some time in the city and hopefully meet some of the other great musos playing.

Rosie is playing Band on the Wall in their main venue

25th May, 15.30-17.00

Tickets are £15.00 and you can buy them here