THEAUSSIEWORD.COM special interview with Talia Rose.
How and where did it all begin for you? What drew your interest to the music industry?
My first real experience with music and performing was when I was three and started competing in country music competitions in New Zealand. My whole family was really into them, and it was always the most exciting part of my year. I did them up until I moved to Australia, and we used to go on family trips around New Zealand to compete. I knew from such a young age that I loved music, so I started learning how to play the guitar when I was five so I could write my own songs and perform like my parents did. There’s never been a moment in my life where I can remember not loving music, it’s just always surrounded me. It’s been the best thing to grow up around.
What motivates or influences you in your quest to make great music?
I just love the process of writing a new song. It’s so exciting working on a new track and starting out with a concept and watching it develop into a song that you just love. All the music I make is the kind of music that I would like to listen to, so whenever I finish working on a track I get so pumped because I’ve got a new song that I really vibe with and get to listen to. That’s always what motivates me when I’m writing. I want to love the end product, so I put in as much effort as I can to make sure that I achieve that.
What are some of your biggest goals you hope to accomplish?
I would love to release an album one day! That’s probably one of my biggest goals, and I hope one day I’m able to see it through. I also really want to play in a festival someday. I think that would be so much fun and such a crazy experience.
What can we expect from you in the coming months? Any plans to tour?
I don’t have any plans to tour yet, but that would be an awesome thing to do in the future! Right now, I’m working on some new tracks that will be coming out over the next few months which is really exciting, and I’m wanting to transition over to working full time as a musician soon.
Tell us a bit about your latest release and how you would best describe your music?
My single ‘Losing My Mind’ is an indie pop track about a relationship I was in a while ago that ended up not working out. Both of us were trying to make something work that was falling apart, and I put a lot of pressure on myself to keep things together even though I wasn’t happy anymore. This song was basically my way of working through my feelings at the time, and after I finished the track I finally realised that it wasn’t healthy to keep driving myself crazy over something that wasn’t meant to be. I loved her a lot, and as cliché as it is I think she came into my life when I needed her to, but I needed to let her go. It was a really brutal song to write because I was really reflecting on everything, but I always want my music to be as real as possible, and each lyric in the song is really honest which I’m so happy about.
Give us an insight into your creative process. What gets you writing songs?
I work with an amazing producer who I work on all of my tracks with, and when I go into the studio for a session it always starts with us chatting about what we want to write about or playing around until we find something that inspires us, and then we figure out what we want to say about the topic, and go from there. It’s really experimental which is so much fun, especially because we’re still on our first few tracks together so it’s been great working on how to find a good blend between the kind of music that inspires me and how to create my own unique sound from that. As far as what gets me writing, I really love to write about things that I’m going through or have experienced in my life. I think it makes songs so much more relatable and enjoyable when it feels real and you can connect with it, which is what I try to do. So, whatever I feel strongly about at the time is generally what I’ll try to write about.
Is there a hidden meaning in any of your music?
I definitely put things in my music that I know will probably be interpreted different than how I intended it to that have double or hidden meanings, but I love music that is open for you to interpret it however you feel. All of my songs have a specific meaning to them, but some of them are less clear cut than others which I think is really cool. People are always looking for ways to relate to things to, and when you leave things open to the imagination a bit it leaves room for more people to connect with it I think.
Success, what is the secret to it?
I think the secret to success is celebrating and appreciating every victory. I haven’t had a very long career in the music industry yet, and I’m still very much unknown, but I feel like I’ve succeeded because I’m so proud of every achievement I’ve had so far. I released a song, and to me that’s a huge deal, even though to other artists who’ve been doing this for years it might not seem like it. I don’t think success is something that you measure based on awards or money or anything like that. To me, it’s just about feeling like you’ve reached the goals you set for yourself and acknowledging how far you’ve come in your own journey, rather than comparing it to someone else.
What has been your biggest career highlight so far?
Hearing ‘Losing My Mind’ play on the radio for the first time. That was such a surreal moment and I know I’m going to remember it for the rest of my life. I have always dreamed of releasing my own music, and I knew I was putting out my own stuff for a while before it actually came out, but it was such a crazy experience where I realised for the first time that I’d actually done it.
Which stars of the music industry do you find inspiring?
I’m really into more nonconforming artists like Billie Eilish, BENEE and Melanie Martinez. I think their music is always really exciting because you don’t quite know what to expect, and it’s always something that you haven’t heard before.
Are there any new projects in the pipeline?
There sure are! I have a few tracks in the works at the moment that will be coming out soon, so definitely keep an eye out for those!
The music industry is constantly changing, where do you see yourself in a few years?
I’m honestly not too sure what the future holds. At the moment, it’s still early days in my career so I guess it depends on how far I’m able to go, but I know that I’m still going to be creating music and performing at some capacity for no doubt the rest of my life. It’s my absolute passion, I don’t ever want to give it up.
What is your favourite and least favourite part about this line of work and why?
As silly and obvious as it sounds, I just really love to sing. I love the feeling I get when I sing, whether it’s just me singing at home to my dog or singing on stage in front of a crowd. I don’t think there’s anything I enjoy as much or that makes me as happy, so that’s for sure my favourite part about working in the industry. As far as my least favourite, opening yourself up to judgement is really nerve-racking. Obviously not everyone is going to love the way you sound or the music you release and that is totally fine, but I think it can be really hard to be so passionate about something and then have someone tell you that they don’t think you’re good enough. It’s always the negative comments that stick with you, and sometimes it’s difficult putting yourself out there and subjecting yourself to that. It’s just a part of the game though and there are always going to be people who don’t click with what you do, so I just try to use it as motivation to keep improving.
Name a few of your favourite Australian artists.
I’m obsessed with Sticky Fingers, I think their music is so groovy. I also really love Tones and I, and growing up Missy Higgins was my biggest inspiration, so I have to include her for sure.
The shape of the music industry has changed significantly over the years, including the use of social media. How do you feel about the industry as a whole and what does it mean to you in getting your records out into the public eye?
Social media is such a huge part of the industry now, I think it’s so important to stay active and keep your followers updated on what’s going on in your life to get people interested. It’s not just about putting about good music, it’s about building a profile as an artist and being someone that people can relate to and connect with.
How will you continue appealing to the international market?
I hope I’m able to just continue releasing music that people love and that I love to make. I think that’s the best way to appeal to anyone, is just to work hard and make good music that I’m proud of.
Do you collaborate with others? Who is on your wish-list?
I have a really great producer who I work on all my tracks with at the moment, and I love having another person to bounce ideas off of. I would love to collaborate with FINNEAS one day. He has an incredible talent in my opinion, and I think that would be so amazing to work on a track with him.
What advice do you give for other artists wanting to follow in your footsteps?
Honestly, just go for it. Believe in yourself and stop putting off your dream, because you’re only going to regret not trying. I know that’s overused, but you can spend forever waiting for the right moment, or you can just believe in yourself and put yourself out there and see what happens. You’re only going to learn and grow from trying your best, and best case scenario is that you end up exactly where you want.
A message for your fans. How do you best interact and respond with your followers and fans?
I’m most active on Instagram, so that’s for sure the best way to interact with me!
Any last words?
I just want to thank everyone that’s supported my music so far and that have even been interested enough to listen to it. I constantly feel like I’m living in a dream, it’s so unreal and exciting that I get to do what I love and that people are actually willing to listen, so thank you so much.
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