Eva Rose
NYC-based singer/songwriter Eva Rose has just released her new single “Waste Your Time”. Fusing elements of rock and pop, the new single is a stunning ballad showcasing Rose’s emotional vocals and heartfelt songwriting. “Waste Your Time” is the last single off her debut EP Out of Lives.
“Waste Your Time” is now available everywhere.
Photo credit: Josefine Cardoni
Introduce yourself - what's your story?
I am an artist and songwriter from Los Angeles but I’m currently based in NYC. Music has been a part of my life since I was a little kid, it all started when my dad gave me a CD of Avril Lavigne’s album “Let Go” when I was about 4 years old, and from there I was obsessed with the idea of being a rock artist. For the last 2 years I’ve been a songwriter, co-writing with pop artists in LA and New York for their own artist projects, so being able to focus my work on my own story has been an exciting process.
How would you define Eva Rose, the artist?
If I want to be defined as anything, it’s definitely as a storyteller. I currently describe my sound as leaning indie and alternative with some pop influence. I know my sound will develop and change over time with different projects, but regardless of the sound I’ll always want to tell stories with my music.
You've just released your debut EP Out of Lives - how's it like to release your debut project?
I’ve heard that you have your whole life to write your debut project, so making the best first impression was very important to me. There were many moments in the past where I had a collection of music I wanted to put out as an EP, but the timing never felt right and the music didn’t feel like “me” just yet, because I was still figuring out what kind of artist I wanted to be. Out of Lives is very special to me because it feels like the first time everything has clicked and I’m so excited to have a body of work out there that encapsulates who I am the best way it can.
Could you describe the songwriting/production process for this project? Who helped you create it?
This EP kind of happened by accident. My songwriting partner, producer, and close friend Dominic Florio and I had been writing together for other artists and for his own project for about a year. One day in a session with our friend Dezi, they suggested writing a song for me, which I never suggest in sessions. We ended up writing “Out of Lives” that day and then a few weeks later we wrote “Waste Your Time.” This was over a year ago and at that point I had no intention of pursuing an artist project, but those songs meant so much to me I knew I had to put them out.
What different topics are you talking about on this EP?
This is definitely a break up EP, but from the perspective of looking back several months later rather than the direct aftermath. I had so many lingering thoughts and feelings about a past relationship that I didn’t really know how to articulate and I think this EP sums it up well. I like to explore a range of perspectives, for example, “When I’m Gone” comes from a place of anger and resentment over feeling wronged by an individual, whereas “Waste Your Time” flips that and takes the perspective of realizing you might be the one engaging in toxic behaviors toward someone.
What did you feel when writing "Waste Your Time"?
“Waste Your Time” was a very therapeutic song for me to write because it made me confront the reality that the heartbreak I thought I was feeling was more of an ego bruise. It was me taking a hard look at myself in the mirror and asking why I was still fixated on the past and what my real motivations were for wanting to dig it up, and reach out to someone I had no business speaking to any longer.
As an artist, what is the hardest part? And what is the best part?
The hardest part is how many No’s you get, and trying to not take it personal even though my work is so enmeshed with my identity. The best part is getting to constantly be creative and having an outlet to sort through emotions and life events.
What are your thoughts on today's music industry? If you could change one thing, what would it be?
I’m happy that being an artist and independently releasing music has become so much more accessible, but I do have trouble with how little infrastructure and support there is within the streaming economy for songwriters.
Why do you make music? What keeps you motivated?
This might sound cliche but I make music because if I wasn’t I have no idea what else I’d be doing. As hard as needing to be consistently creative can be, songwriting is the most fulfilling thing in my life currently. I often think of who I was at 14 or 15 years old, being so terrified to sing in front of other people or share my writing, but having this intense yearning to be an artist at the same time. Whenever I feel unmotivated I remind myself how lucky I am to have come this far.
Do you remember a specific moment in your life where music made a huge difference?
I don’t know if there are any specific points I can point to, but music has made a huge difference in my life at every point where I was going through transitions or periods of heartache. There were times in middle school and high school where I was incredibly lonely and having songs and playlists on my iPod that said everything I had trouble articulating were my saving grace in a way.
Besides music, what are your passionate about?
I’m dead serious when I say this, but I’m very passionate about astrology. I practice Buddhism and consider myself very spiritual, so I view astrology as another way to tap into yourself and the universe. It’s not for everybody, but I definitely get a lot of enjoyment out of it.
What biggest life lessons have you learned so far?
When it comes to sharing something you’ve created with the world, not everyone is meant to like it. A family friend once told me that any audience can be split into thirds: a third will love what you’ve made, a third will hate it, and a third could take it or leave it. The point is to not try to change in an attempt to win over those who your work isn’t for when there are people out there that already resonate with it.
In your opinion, what would make the world a better place?
This is a hard question, because I don’t believe there is a silver bullet for all our world’s issues. I do believe the most urgent issue right now is climate change and transitioning into a society that values sustainability and equitability.
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