Rose Spearman is an artist with quite an interesting musical background, moving through several different genres throughout her life. Her music is a testament to her skills – her cover song, By Your Side, particularly caught my ear! If you missed it, you can also find a stream at the bottom of this interview!
By Jane Howkins
How was your 2022?
It was a good year in terms of taking on new challenges, as a singer and as a music label ‘boss’.
I run a label called Mars Label Group (mars-worldwide.com) together with my partner – we promoted some great releases by some fantastic artists! And as a singer, I finally finished my album King of Air, knowing at the same time it’s never finished; I just have to learn to let go and move on to the stage.
You recently released a single titled By Your Side. What can you tell us about the track?
I always loved that song by Sade – I LOVE Sade… I got an idea driving along the coast of Spain to do this song as a duet.
How has the reception to By Your Side been so far, and where can the song be purchased?
Lots of loving reactions from friends, music fans, and other artists on our approach to this song. You can purchase on every DSP like Spotify, Apple, YouTube, etc. under my name Rose Spearman.
The track also features Blair Jollands. How did the collaboration come about?
I have been working with Blair Jollands on the label side and absolutely love his voice and songs. So, I proposed to him to make this classic song into a duet. I could see my clean voice and his raspy sound really working well together and turning the production into a bit more of a folk song People, if you can, check Blair Jollands out on your favorite DSP!
Do you plan to release any more singles in the near future?
Yes, yes! A new disco dance remix is coming up by Nigel Lowis on a song taken from my upcoming album King of Air on February 17!
The song is called Live Like a Rocket and it’s an ode to my father. My father was an Afro-American jazz musician from NY and lived a kind of living on the edge life. He died at the age of 51 (gone too soon), I still have many questions for him…
Do you plan to release an EP or an album anytime soon?
Well, hahaha yes, finally my album King of Air will be released in May 2023!!
Your music mixes several genres together. What/who influences you most as an artist? What have you been listening to recently?
So many, classical music was my first introduction to music I started playing the violin when I was six years old but quickly started loving jazz music like Billie Holiday and Ella Fitzgerald, then from Billie and Ella I moved to soul music like Gap Band, Millie Jackson, Marvin Gaye, Otis Redding, Sade, Prince, Michael Jackson. Then from soul I moved to dance – like deep house mostly – people like Kerri Chandler. Then from deep house I moved to indie rock – singer-songwriters like the Foo Fighters, Muse, Leonard Cohen, Carol King… then came folk music people like J,J Cale, Mary Gauthier, John Hiatt – no wonder I started a music label!
Right now I’m listening to a lot of Jaimee Harris, L.A Edwards, Kafka, Kalulu, Arstidir and Jane Leo.
I refuse to choose, I get criticised for not making a solid choice in one musical direction. I understand it though, and I’m ok with that… I just love to make what I feel, whatever it is I’m feeling at the moment.
Where are you based? What is the music scene like in your part of the world?
I’m based in the Netherlands, it’s fun out here. We are a small territory, but I’ve noticed that artists love to play live here.
Do you have any tour dates lined up for the UK?
Well, I’m about to record some new songs with London-based producer Nigel Lowis so I’m working towards some live dates…
I will let you know for sure!
Any last words for the fans?
Thank you for your support, I’m so looking forward to meeting you in real life! Let’s talk for real.