Urica Rose: Singer/ song writer/ alternative Rock NY
Interview conducted May 04, 2021
By Dan Locke
Urica Rose is into Metal.
What is your upbringing?
I’m an American born but was also raised with a Jamaican mother American father.
How did you discover music?
I grew up with two parents that were hip hop heads so music was around me constantly. I didn’t discover I could sing until I was 16.
How did you start to write music?
It was very hard for me to find someone who could understand the sound I was trying to create and write it. So, I started to study song formats and paying attention to how they were written.
How did you get your first guitar, and do you still have it?
My mom bought my first guitar at 19 and I still have it. I’m still not great at it but it is something I want to master.
What is your guitar of choice now? Year, make and model?
I still don’t have one but I do prefer electric over my acoustic.
Describe your music.
My sound is a fusion of Jazz, Blues and Rock
What was your first performance at like?
I was a nervous reck lol. I felt like I was moving around in stage a lot and when I watch the video back, I was basically a singing statue.
You went to school at Elmont Memorial High School, which is the same high school that the rapper Rich the Kid is an alumni from. Have you looked into maybe working with him an alumnus side project?
No, actually I have not that is actually a good question. I may have to look into that. I know a few people that played basketball with him.
How did you feel to see yourself on a billboard?
It was so amazing!! Like look that’s me up there. I just wondered like wow I wonder how many people are seeing this asking who is she!!??
How was it to perform the National Anthem at the Paramount Theatre in Huntington, NY?
That was actually very cool!! Something to check off a bucket list. I was extremely honored and it was the first live boxing match I went to so it was something I will never forget. I felt like I was floating that whole day. From the V.I.P treatment to meeting the boxers, it was so cool. (Thanks for that little trip down memory lane)
Royalties never appear like magic. Royalties are only sent to you through work undertaken by a PRO to ensure that their members are getting paid. If you’re not yet signed up to a Performing Right Organization like ASCAP, BMI or SESAC, you may not be receiving all the royalties you deserve.
Do you belong to any to songwriters’ organizations like the International singer-songwriter association, SESAC, BMI or ASCAP?
I’m with BMI
What was it like to share the stage with Peter Tosh?
Well, the show I performed at was a tribute to his life and legacy. So, I was able to meet with his daughters and granddaughters. This was so awesome my grandfather who is Jamaican was able to be there and that to me was the best part. I was able to go back to his home with him and sing at an event that was for a legend in Jamaica.
How did you get into the movie “Cradle”?
My manger saw something online for the casting of it. So, I tried out and it was crazy I went for one role. They made me audition for 4 different roles. They ended up creating a whole character for me and I was able to help write in one of my biggest scenes in the movie.
What makes a good songwriter?
Someone who can connect with people whether it’s threw your actual words or emotions.
What was the title of your first original song? Did you record it?
” Black Heart” I never had music for it but it’s actually a pretty good song I wouldn’t be mad if it became a real song.
What is the process of writing your music?
Most of my songs are free styles. I may come with a word or one line. Once I hear the music I just go and once I open my eyes 5 minutes later, I have a song. Then I just have to figure out if we are cutting it down to 3 minutes or two minutes.
Tell me about the song “White Noise”.
I wrote this for a realtor tv show about fashion. I actually cried making this song lol shhhhhh. The beat was very pop for me, the lyrics very happy. Not to say I’m not a happy person but I like writing more emotionally driven songs. So, I locked myself in a room and recorded it on protocols by myself. This song took me a few hours to write and I was not sure about it when I was done but everyone else loved it.
What are you’re feeling about streaming music?
Well, no one buys CDs anymore so I just have to roll with the times. I don’t have any real feelings on it.
The symbol # is known as the number sign, hash, pound sign and a sharp sign in music. The symbol has historically been used for a wide range of purposes Since 2007, widespread usage of the symbol to introduce metadata tags on social media platforms has led to such tags being known as “hashtags”, and from that, the symbol itself is sometimes called a hashtag.
Are people forgetting that the # is a part of music?
I don’t think they are.
Digital vs. vinyl?
Vinyl is such a clearer sound but it’s just very expensive to record. But there is nothing like the nice crisp sound.
What song from the past is in your mind right now?
Honestly, I do not listen to a lot of music. I know that’s weird because I’m an artist you would think I listen to and study music all the time. I only listen to music in the car I don’t like listening to music in the house. Moreover, what is the meaning that song means to you?
Who are your Rock Queens and have you meet any of them?
Janis Joplin is my ultimate and Tina Turner. No, I have met neither.
If “Video Killed the Radio Star” do you think that the Covid-19 virus has killed live music? Do you feel the Covid-19 virus going to affect the music business in the future?
I’m very interested to see how the music industry adapts to how things will be moving forward.
What have you been doing with your self-quarantine?
I have been writing and creating. I just recently shot the video for white noise and plan on shooting four more videos before the year is out.
Are you still doing you Sunday Family Days?
Yes, I’m very big in my family and they are the coolest craziest people to be around. We always have a great time when we get together.
How do you stay healthy during the lockdown?
Loolll I’m not sure I have (food wise) I need to put the fridge outside so I can get a real work out walking to it.
Have you discovered or rediscovered any new hobbies?
I found out I’m a too notch Netflix binge watcher! Lol
How can bands keep their fans if they cannot play live in front of the fans and sell merchandise to them at the show?
When you know let me know lol. A new wave is coming I can’t wait to jump on!
Is pay to play still a thing? Now pay to play also means thinks like playlist on the internet and opening slots for a major band on tour.
I’m not sure.
What about Holographic concerts in our living room?
This would be very interesting!!
In the past if a musician stop doing music, they find a new career. For example, David Lee Roth from Van Halen became a licensed EMT in NY for 6 years, San Spitz (guitarist for Anthrax) became a master watchmaker, Dee Snider (Twister Sister) voice over work for SpongeBob SquarePants. If you can’t do music, what would you like to be doing?
I would like the be a dentist. I went to dental assistant school and had a 102 average so I think I will do very well.
What is your happy place?
My happy place is a quiet place where I can only hear water falling.
A lot of musicians such as Stevie Nicks, Bob Dylan, Taylor Swift, Journey, Def Leppard, and Shakira have sold their catalog rights within the last year. Bob Dylan sold his entire catalog for a reported $300 million. Once you get to the age of about 70. Publishing is far more lucrative than the mechanical royalties paid to artist based on sales, airplay and streams. A good example of this is Michael Jackson brought the rights to the Beatles catalog in 1985. And in the late 80’s the Beatles Revolution appeared in a Nike commercial.
The lump sums being offered by publishing firms are more tax friendly concerning estate planning.
Do you think you would be willing to sale your back catalog if someone like Universal is will to buy everything, such as all the rights to all your songs? Another factor is mortality.
No, I’m good nothing is that serious for me.
Spotify’s ‘Stream On’ event on Monday (February 22), the company confirmed that more than 60,000 new tracks are now being ingested by its platform every single day. This means people are added new tracks uploaded to its platform every 1.4 seconds.
The figure, announced by Spotify’s co-Head of Music, Jeremy Erlich, means that across the course of this year, approximately 22 million tracks will be added to Spotify’s catalog. Spotify confirmed in November last year that its platform now played host to around 70 million tracks.
Therefore, it’s reasonable to assume that, by the end of 2021, SPOT will be home to over 90 million tracks. And that in the early part of next year, it will surpass a catalog of 100 million for the first time.
But still, back at the beginning of the year, Spotify deleted 750,00 songs, mostly from independent artists. What do you think that could mean to an independent artist?
They may be trying to choke us out forcing us back to the labels but the underdog will always find a way
Sony Music in November and Warner Music Group in December, The ByteDance-owned video app revealed on (February 8) that it has struck an “expanded” global licensing agreement with Universal Music Group. Now that TikTok is now fully licensed by all three major record companies, will you start using TikTok more?
I’m trying more active on there. I actually love that app. I scroll til my fingers fall asleep lol no lie.
Danny Wimmer Presents just announced their 2021 Festival Calendar: Which includes the following live shows:
DWP Partners with Inkcarceration Music & Tattoo Festival for July 23-25 Event in Mansfield, OH
Louder Than Life Set for September 23-26 With Newly Added Thursday Night Celebration in Louisville, KY
Welcome to Rockville Expands To 4 Days and Shifts from Spring to November 11-14 In Daytona Beach, FL
Aftershock Set for October 7-10 In Sacramento, CA, Almost Sold Out
Would you be willing to play these shows and what precautions would you like to have in place?
Sure!!
Anything you would like to say in closing.
Thank you so much for your time a great question! I hope you stay well. 🙂
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