The first timewe spoke to Elizabeth Roseshe was just dipping her toes into the DJ world and testing out the waters with a few gigs. Understandable really, as the Sydney musician's forte lies more in crafting colourful electronic pop songs, which she performs around the country at gigs and large scale music festivals alike. Since our last chat, though, the producer has been busy with more DJ gigs which even included a set at Big Day Out in Sydney, so it was only fitting for her to record another mix for Pulse (you can listen to her first mix for us here), this time for the Fresh Blood series.
To accompany the mix, we took the opportunity to see what else has been happening in Rose's world of late and found out she's as busy as ever, recording a second EP and cooking up a new live show. You can listen and download her Fresh Blood mix below, with a tracklist after the chat.
Pulse: You’ve just recorded a cover of Fever Ray’s ‘Dry And Dusty’. Artists tend to take on covers in different ways - how did you decide to approach this one? Elizabeth Rose: I actually recorded this cover a few years back when I started to use Ableton to produce, but yeah I wanted to keep the same chords / chord progression and similar sound to the main synth that plays it in the original. Other than that I wanted to make it unique in the sounds that I chose production-wise and to also change up the vocal melody too.
Your single with Flight Facilities ‘I Didn’t Believe’ has really taken off. How did that collab come about? I did a remix for the guys a few years back for their track ‘Foreign Language’ and it was never meant to be released nor be an official remix, but a mate of theirs asked me to have a crack at it and he sent it onto them and they loved it! It all started from there really - they loved my original music and I supported them at one of their shows at the end of 2011, then soon after that plans were put in place to feature as a vocalist on the single.
You’ll be performing with them at Splendour In The Grass this year. With it still being early days into your career, have you gotten used to playing to massive crowds yet? To be honest, I’m totally comfortable in front of big crowds as opposed to small ones, which might sound strange. I played a few big shows over NYE and it was so exhilarating being up there doing my thing.
You also play a lot of more intimate gigs – for example supporting Tokimonsta in Sydney recently. What do you like, or dislike, about those smaller gigs. Also, how was Tokimonsta? Did you get to hang out with her a bit? Yeah it was a really good gig! The more intimate gigs are fun too of course – I feel I can connect a little easier with a crowd that size and that close to you. I got to speak to her [Tokimonsta] briefly backstage but it was small talk really. I wish I had more time to chat to her! She played such a great set.
I believe you’ve been working on your new EP, which you’ve described as “a cross between some late 90's RnB and some Caribou-Swim.” Can you elaborate on that a little? How will this EP differ from 'Crystallise'? I’m not going to give too much away, but for this EP I feel I’ve found my sound now. It’s definitely a big progression forward from the last one. I’ve done a lot of writing since then and am really excited to finally embrace my love for 90s/early 00s RnB that I grew up listening to. The production is still eclectic and colourful so it’s a really cool contrast with the RnB vocal vibe.
When can we expect it to be released? Soon!
And you’re working on a new live set up too. Can you tell us a little about that? Yeah I’ve kind of wanted to do this for a while now, just expand on my live set up and make it more of a seamless and continuous set, but have room for experimentation. Also I just really want to run around dancing on stage and not have to worry about keeping the show together by myself!
So, now down to the nitty gritty: You’ve been nominated as Pedestrian TV’s Bachelorette Of The Year. Flattered? Ha! Not taking that too seriously - just a little bit of fun. I’ve got stiff competition though so need your help with votes!
The last time we spoke you had been dabbling in a bit of DJing – you played your first public set at the Cherry Bar at The Star. Have you had more gigs since then? Since then I’ve played quite a bit – one to remember was a set at Big Day Out earlier this year in the silent disco. That was the day when it was 46C in Sydney, it was so intense but lots of fun.
Can you tell us a little bit about how you decided to approach to your Fresh Blood mix for us? I think the first transition from Tangerine Dream into Groove Armada pretty much sums up your musical tastes. I’ve been listening to a lot of new music lately and meeting so many other musicians who have given me great tips on who to check out. Everything in that mixtape are tracks that I’m loving at the moment and are on high repeat. Yes, love that Tangerine Dream track.
What else is on the horizon for Elizabeth Rose? Anything you can share? Some exciting collaborations for sure, and my first international show is coming up in Noumea. Finally a chance to work on my non-existent tan.
Elizabeth Rose - Fresh Blood Tracklist:
1. The Dream Is Always The Same - Tangerine Dream
2. I See You Baby - Groove Armada
3. Feel the groove (Benson remix) - Magnifik
4. Rozette - Lancelot
5. Crazy (Noze remix) - Ornette
6. Foolish - Dr Dru
7. Ride Roof Back - Motez
8. Child (Geeeman rework) - George Fitzgerald
9. Everything - Justin Jay
10. Luz De Luna - Jim Breese & Philip O
11. I Didn't Believe ft. Elizabeth Rose - Flight Facilities
12. Like this, like that - WhatsoNot
13. My type of party (Brenmar remix) - Dom Kennedy
14. Smoke Wine - French Fries
15. Rusty Nails - Moderat
16. Keep it 1000 - Sinden