Diandra Interviews Rozes: When Music Becomes Your Therapy & Identity

Rozes is the equivalent of a human sparkle. She is constantly smiling, and seeking a way to connect to people on a genuine level. Known for her vulnerable lyrics, she truly is open, which is incredibly endearing. She proves strength comes in letting people see your heart. Hence, her songs discuss anxiety, depression, optimism, and hope, of which our interview hits upon all these topics.

Diandra: Growing up in a musical household, how do you think it emboldened how you to see the importance of the arts?

Rozes: In my house, music was the escape we had. I really was terrible at studying. I was not good at school because I was horrible at paying attention. To me, coming home, my parents would always tell me “Music is your gift. And you are smart in your own way.” For me, music was my whole family’s way of identifying ourselves. As far as who I was, music was my identity growing up through high-school.
ROZES ft NexXthursday “Numbed Up” (Official Lyric Video)

Diandra: So your tastes must change as you grow?

Rozes: Absolutely! My music is, basically, my life. It is my journal that I decided to share. So, for me, my music is constantly changing. From my first EP to my new single, you can just see, through my music, that my mindset is different now.

Diandra: You have called your creative process your “therapy.” Name a song where you felt more healed after its finish?

Rozes: I would say, “Matches” with Cash Cash. That was a song that, definitely afterwards, I felt clear. I was talking about a relationship that I was struggling to get over. For me, I needed to be able to write down exactly how I felt to move on. So I love the concept of this guy that he, literally, could have lit me up or burnt me down, and he chose to burn me down. I wanted to express that in that song. After that, I felt like a breathe of fresh air.

Diandra: Your lyrics are very vulnerable, but your background is pure dance. How do you match those contrasting energies? Do you think they are contrasting?

Rozes: It’s hard for me. Being a singer and songwriter, I never intended to be in the dance world. I thought I was going to be a Gwen Stefani/ No Doubt type. When my world collided with The Chainsmokers, everything changed, and the universe was pointing to me and saying, “This is the path.” So I embraced that, and decided to do it in my own way as far as wanting it to be raw, real, and emotional. But, I still want people to feel the energy that is coming from the beat. I think the lyrics were my way of saying “This is who I am.”I’m totally about embracing emotions, and I think there are some times when you are so happy you cry, and I am all about making that sonic contrast.
ROZES, Nicky Romero – Where Would We Be

Diandra: Women’s empowerment, mental health, and humility to love; these are all topics you have sung about. Ultimately, your songs highlight that self-love is the key to loving others. Name three things in your life that inspire self-love and love within you.

Rozes: (she laughs) Can I say my dogs? I love my dogs. There is never a time when I feel I need to impress them or judge them. I say to my boyfriend all the time, “I just feel like if I quit everything my dogs will still love me.” No matter what I do, they would still be there loving me. I love piano. That is where I nurture and care for my feelings, and allow myself to say,” That is valid, You are allowed to feel that way.” Hmmmm…now a third..… And yoga! My time in meditation is where I set an intention for myself. I struggle deeply with the social media aspect of this industry, and a lot of the comparing and competing. So, for me, I personally set a time of day where I say, “I’m breathing in.”

Diandra: You have said that a way to survive music industry is to realize who you are beyond it. How would you describe yourself beyond it?

Rozes: I feel like there are so many parts to me. Parts of me are an extrovert and so energetic and laughing and dancing. Other parts are an introvert and shy and struggles with anxiety and depression. So, for me, to describe myself in one word, it would be complex. One day, I want to dress up and wear heels, and the next day I just want to roll around in the mud and not care.

Diandra: You think that complexity is why you struggle with social media?

Rozes: I think so. There is so much pressure on us to be seen as this one person and have an identity. Labels want to know your theme and who you are and what direction you are going in and your branding. Everything has to be strictly like this, and my life cannot do that. Images cannot show your depth.

Diandra: You studied nursing and then journalism: only to end up in music. How do you think all three intersect to say something about who you are?

Rozes: For me, I care about people so much. I want them to know they are not alone. I think my biggest characteristic is empathy, and my heart will just break for people without even knowing them. So with nursing, I wanted to be there and tell people you have someone; it is going to be okay. When I went to journalism, I was thinking the same thing. I wanted to tell people’s stories so they would know that they are not alone. This transferred into writing, and music became my way of saying, “I am not alone.”

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