Ella Rosa On Finding “FUN” In Dark Times
Photo by Callum Walker Hutchinson
Hiiiii Ella!!!! Your new single 'FUN' has such a vibrant and carefree vibe. What was the inspiration behind the track, and how did you approach capturing that feeling in both the music and lyrics?
Hi! Thanks for having me on here <3. The inspiration behind “FUN” stemmed from my desire to decorate an ugly situation and turn it into a carefree experience. I wanted it to evoke a sense of menacing, but where cheekiness and spontaneity were still at the forefront. To capture that, I focused on creating upbeat melodies with darker instrumentation. Lyrically, I took on a third person perspective to distance myself from a darker time in my life.
Do you find inspiration in any media besides music, like tv, books or film?
Yes! I love finding inspiration in classical music as well as operas and love interests.
Coming from London and now being based in Los Angeles, how has the shift in culture and surroundings influenced your music and creative process? Do you find that each place brings out different sides of your artistry?
The shift from London to Los Angeles definitely kicked me into shape! I honestly love being surrounded by like-minded people who all have a dream. London’s rich musical history and urban vibe fostered an introspective and experimental side of my music making, while Los Angeles, with its entertainment scene and laid-back lifestyle, allowed me to feel more at ease with my process.
Your visuals are always so dreamy and magical! How do you find the sweet spot between your music’s vibe and the visual stories you create to go along with it?
Aw, thank you!! For me, the music and visuals kind of go hand in hand. When I’m creating the music, I’m always thinking of a scene or place in which it exists. I love having the music and visuals work together.
Photo by Callum Walker Hutchinson
If you could design your dream stage for a live show, what would it look like?
Definitely dark, metallic and as immersive as possible. I like the idea of an endless mirror room with crazing strobe lights.
Balancing creativity and well-being can be tough. How do you nurture your mental health and practice self-care while staying inspired and creating your music?
Haha, I kind of don’t… I’m still learning how to be better at balancing that. It’s slowly but surely getting better and better, but it’s definitely still a learning curve.
Finally, here at Pop Palace, we all have our own little 'Royal Court' of artists who inspire us and keep us going. So, if you could build your own musical palace, who would be sitting on your throne, and who would be in your royal court of all-time favorite artists?
I think it would be a line of thrones with Sade, SWV, Artful Dodger, Shygirl and Caroline Polachek all sitting there.
