28 March 2024
  • 28 March 2024

Cara Rose interview – The Sound of Renfrewshire

on 9 December 2020 0

Originally hailing from Lochwinnoch, soulful singer/songwriter Cara Rose discusses early beginnings, inspirations and her debut EP, Urges.

How did music become a guiding force in your life?

“Well, both my parents are in the arts. As soon as I could walk and talk, I was in that environment. They were really into music and I went to festivals with them at a young age.” says Cara Rose.

“There was never really any pivotal moment where I thought ‘I’m going to do this’, I just always ended up in school shows, choirs and generally gravitating towards that field. My music teacher in high school was really supportive as well, so that helped.

“I discovered that I had an alright voice when I was younger and people kept telling me nice things so I just kept doing it (laughs).”

Growing up in a house of music, what were your early influences?

“My mum used to always play Joan Armatrading, John Martyn and Nina Simone, so I think that’s where I got my flavour for songwriting and storytelling.

“I used to potter around and sing wee melodies and I was good with the music, but it took me a while to be able to articulate myself through words. Now, John and Nina are big influences that I always come back to.”

You’ve played the long game by establishing yourself on the live circuit before releasing music. Was this a conscious decision?

“I was very aware of not rushing it. I was still developing what I wanted my songs to sound like even when I was recording them. People would ask ‘when are you putting stuff out?’ And I’d be like ‘oh, in my own time.’ It’s worked out for the best as now they’re like, ‘aw finally! (laughs).”

How does it feel now that Urges is out?

“It’s obviously great to get the songs out, but I’ve had them for a while. Now I’m like, ‘I just can’t wait to record new ones.’ I’m impatient like that, but it’s great to hear how far these tracks have come as when you strip them back to the voice notes, it was just me playing the piano in my room.

“We’ve got a yellow vinyl release underway so I think that’ll be a highlight. All of the artwork for the singles and EP were shot by me or someone close to me and now I’m designing a lyrics booklet to go along with the record.”

What’s the next step?

“It’s touch and go with everything that’s going on, but we’re planning to release a new EP by the end of the year. It’ll be quite stripped back, I think. An album will definitely come in the next few years, but I guess we’ll just see how it goes!


Urges by Cara Rose, is available now on all streaming services. Watch the live version filmed at St Mark’s Unitarian Church, Edinburgh.

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