Crystal Rose works to give space for musing on the realities, layers, and mythical aspects of feeling in her debut album “It’s Raining in Here”. A few close friends worked on this album with her, recording mostly in Brooklyn apartments and sending mixes back and forth over the internet waves. Crystal Rose grew up in San Diego, CA, learning the ropes of performing through singing in cover bands around town from age 13, and the spiritual aspects of music through her mom’s musical culture in the Philippines. She is currently based in Brooklyn, NY where she pursues growing in new artistic adventures, recording, collaborating, and teaching.
In her role as an educator, she aspires to always provide the tools necessary to help her students grow. She has learned the value of support and guidance through her education with musicians such as Nick Hakim, Jamie Leonhart, LaTanya Hall, Claudia Acuña, Scott Kettner, Kevyn Lettau, Glen Fisher among others, and during her time earning her BFA in Jazz and Contemporary Music from the New School.
In this interview spotlight, I chat with Crystal Rose about her latest project, challenges, technology and more.
Full Q&A along with links and music below.
Where are you from and how do you describe your style of music?
San Diego, CA is my hometown, but I’ve been living in NYC for 6 years now. To describe my music…well I’ve been told it’s modern and innovative sounding, soulful, psychedelic and that it hits hard. I would say it’s the purest expression of my time here on the planet over the past few years. So it is a journey of the raw and electric, with waves of voices and sounds searching onward.
How did you get here? As in, what inspired or motivated you to take on this journey through music?
In elementary school I started singing with my mom in karaoke bars in National City, CA and the church. My favorite songs to sing were definitely “When You Believe” (Prince of Egypt/Mariah Carey and Whitney Houston) and “Beauty and the Beast”. In my mom’s culture from the Philippines, singing is a big deal. It’s key to expressing everything and doing so with others. I knew I wanted to be a singer and play music. In 7th grade guitar class, bassist Glen Fisher visited our public school every Friday to teach us classic rock tunes. This is when I started taking my role as a singer and guitar player even more seriously- “Don’t Stop Believing” was my jam. In 8th grade Glen Fisher helped me meet and join Revolt-Age (a band of his students) and we performed all over San Diego throughout middle school and high school. Guitarist Jake Nuffer was a close band mate and has even collaborated on my most recent projects “Summer Shoes” and this one “It’s Raining in Here”. He shreds.
After a brief time at NYU where I visited open mics and garnered a few gigs, I attended the New School where I got to focus in on music and jazz in particular. I got to tour with Kevyn Lettau (jazz singer and previous mentor) in the Philippines, and sing in venues around New York City. I’m surrounded by amazing musicians and artists all the time. I’ve had wonderful mentors and teachers such as Jamie Leonhart, Nick Hakim, La Tanya Hall, Claudia Acuña…I am constantly inspired to keep going!
How does your latest project compare/contrast with your previous release(s)? Were you setting out to accomplish anything specific, follow a specific theme, or explore different styles of creation?
“Summer Shoes” was my first release (on Bandcamp and SoundCloud) and was my first time recording and putting together a collection of my music to share with the world. I knew who I was as a performer, but not as a recording artist, and they were still different for me. This project “It’s Raining is Here” was really a chance to let my creative ideas free. The songs developed as they were supposed to and captured the stories and deep emotions I needed to convey. There are more instruments (including flute, cello, xylophone, Rhodes, alongside bass, drums, guitar, vox…) and themes ranging from expressing human needs, navigating womanhood, deep depression, and various musings. Drummer Guy Paz helped me mold these tracks and Andrew Forman mixed and mastered them, until they reached their fullest expressions. Andrew Forman, Guy Paz, and Jake Nuffer also played and helped record “Summer Shoes” as well as this new project.
Name the biggest challenge you faced as a creative during these unprecedented times? How did you adapt? How have you kept the creative fires burning during all this?
Unprecedented- the word of the past couple years. Trying to be okay with having time to do things and not feeling able to do anything… I would really want to write something, but when I just couldn’t (due to emotional/physical overload), I would try another expression like yoga, painting, reading, and perhaps some cooking and Netflix. So trying to express in different ways helped keep a flicker alive, and trying to be okay with the idea of rest and health! But then it sped up into working too much and not having time for expression, which is another challenge I’m working through.
What was the last song you listened to?
ummm not sure. I’ve recently been re-listening to Nick Hakim’s “Farmissplease”. I also have been playing this album “Le Mystere Des Voix Bulgares” a lot recently.
Which do you prefer? Vinyl? 8-tracks? Cassettes? CDs? MP3s? Streaming platforms?
Grew up on CDs, and the record player I have is currently broken, so I have to admit to mostly listening to music via streaming and downloads.
Where is the best place to connect with you and follow your journey?
The good old website route https://www.crystalrosesperos.com or Instagram @crystalrose_music are good!
I really appreciate Your time. Anything else before we sign off?
I appreciate your time! Thank you to everyone who has listened to “It’s Raining in Here”, and those who are thinking about listening to it. I’ll be around and sharing new music with you soon. Stay safe everyone!!
