Kickstarting his career in the music industry with incredible talent and drive, 19-year-old pop singer-songwriter Rowan Drake is here to stay. With today’s new song and video release, we got the opportunity to find out more about the up-and-coming artist’s music inspiration, favorite albums and more. Read on to find out more about Rowan Drake!
BTS: How did you first get your start in music?
Rowan Drake: “Music has always been a large part of my life. I grew up in a house full of broken-but-loved instruments with my mom being a ‘Deadhead’ (a massive fan of the Grateful Dead) and my dad having spent his whole life surrounded by amazing musicians in the genres of bluegrass, zydeco, folk, pop, and more. Therefore, music was always playing and being heard throughout the house. It naturally progressed from me listening to music to teaching myself instruments (with periods of lessons thrown in,) and then eventually discovering my ability to dream up a melody and lyrics later on.”
BTS: Was there ever one person, song, album, etc. that made you want to pursue music as a career?
Rowan Drake: “I have had countless influences, everything from close friends who played music like my godfather of sorts whose voice and guitar carried a beautiful and inspiring story, to Elton John, Ed Sheeran and seeing him play “Give Me Love” with a loop pedal, to Justin Bieber and his cover of ‘Fast Car’ by Tracy Chapman, and many more. But honestly, it was less the people and more just the safe and constant space music has always had in my life that drew me in so close to it.”
BTS: What kind of impact do you think growing up in Ithaca, New York had on your music?
Rowan Drake: “Spending 18 years around the nature, culture, and atmosphere of a town such as Ithaca, has had an instrumental impact on my music, both sonically, visually, and spiritually. The sounds of rain in a lush forest or the absence of sound during a morning snowfall are just a few of the tonal pallets I put myself into when creating my music. The GrassRoots music festival that takes place every year just outside my hometown was quite literally where I took my first steps as a child and was exposed to music from all over the world. Ithaca is fundamental to my character and you don’t have to look far into my visuals to get a glimpse of it.”
BTS: Favorite album of all time?
Rowan Drake: “I am 19… and I must preface that my favorite songs do not always appear on my favorite albums but thus far in life, Wiped Out! by The Neighborhood, Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band by The Beatles, In the Lonely Hour by Sam Smith, and Hozier by Hozier stand out as a few.”
BTS: How would you describe your music to someone who’s never listened to it before?
Rowan Drake: “A momentary trace of emotional clarity.”
BTS: You just released your new song “Abandonment Issues.” What do you want people to know about this song and where did its inspiration come from?
Rowan Drake: “Sonically, or in other words, the feeling of “Abandonment Issues,” is a representation of chaos and anxiety in the choruses separated by breaks of stripped-back clarity. This song touches upon all the feelings I had after moving away from home and fearing losing all the people I left behind. The song is meant to be listened to in a car or headphones at nighttime in a place where you can fully feel all of what makes this song so special.”
BTS: How long have you been working on “Abandonment Issues?”
Rowan Drake: “I first wrote the hook melody, first line of lyrics, and guitar chords in my first LA apartment back in October 2021. I finished writing the song with my friend, Author, a few weeks later and recorded/produced it with my friend Aaron Osborne a few months later. So all in all, here we are 10 months later and it’s yours.”
BTS: How do you think “Abandonment Issues” compares or differs from some of your past music?
Rowan Drake: “‘Abandonment Issues’ is the first song I’ve released that captures what the first Rowan Drake music universe will sound like: dark and ambient textures, unique and melancholic guitar parts, light and dynamic vocals layered with unfiltered lyrics all compressed into a song that will forever be yours if you need it.”
BTS: Can we expect to hear more from Rowan Drake this year?
Rowan Drake: “Yes, expect a million teasers on my social platforms, hopefully a single once a month, and my first project around the end of this year.”
Based on his responses and thoughts surrounding his music, Rowan Drake is on a clear path to success that we cannot wait to see the progression of. His passion, drive and clarity at such a young age will take him far, in addition to his sound being one of the great new ones out there. It’s so refreshing and reassuring to see a young and talented musician like this. Rest assured, we will be following his future closely.
Listen to “Abandonment Issues” and watch the music video now!
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