What are the origins of Serena Rose as a project? Where did it start?
I grew up with a love for music and performing arts. I learnt piano as a child, then self taught
myself guitar, drums and singing as a teenager.
Back in 2021, I really wanted to perform and be in a psychedelic rock band so I asked some
of my friends that already played in bands to develop some songs with me I had written.
Since they were already in quite busy bands, they recommended that I just pursue the
project as my own project, as it was my music. From then, I established the project as my
name and then ended up driving a band. I’ve since had flexibility to evolve independently and
incorporate different musicians for different shows which I love. Over time, I’ve had many
different musicians join me on stage and in my production processes. My music has
broadened into film score/orchestral style music, as well as music for meditation and sound
journey too.

Tell us a bit about the new single ‘Touching Skies’. What does it mean to you?
‘Touching Skies’ is like a capture of stillness amongst euphoria. And in that spaciness, as if
reminiscing of a time with someone or a time in life, and feeling the possibility of where it
might go or where it has been. The lead guitar is repeatedly pulling the listener between the
feeling of ascending and descending, much like feeling the highs and lows, while having time
and space to sit in and accept both. The vocals almost act as a calm reassurance and feeling
of deep knowing and drive.
The more music I release, the more of myself I feel like I release, explore and create space
for. And the more space I feel I can create for my audience to venture inwardly in.

Are there any inspirations you look to beyond music when writing or performing?
My music is pure feeling and is carved out of my deepest and most surreal parts of life.
Sitting in the peace through ambience and space is also where I feel most myself. Through
hard times, I look for the beauty in the dark and that is where I find most of my music.
I’m also very inspired by nature, I like to think of my band as a beautiful storm. The drums
being the thunder, the electric guitar ripping through like powerful lighting, the bass being
the surge of energy pulling everything together and my vocals being the wind. Wind can be
soft and delicate on it’s own - like when I do solo shows. Then when it’s intertwined in a
storm, it’s flow is driven by the elements amongst it, in a powerful concoction - like playing
with the band.

Name the five songs that have informed your song writing more than any others.

Divinity’s Playing Card Game - The Kundalini Genie
Into Dust - Mazzy Star
Maggot Brain - Funkadelic
Venice Queen - Red Hot Chili Peppers
Pyramid Song - Radiohead

What Australian artists are you listening to at the moment?
Stoned Waves, Nice Biscuit, HTRK, Jack Tully & The Seers, Cerberus.

How do you hope your music might impact listeners?
I’d hope that my music creates a space for introspection and depth. A place where the
listener can sit with themselves and their emotions in the slowness, and feel the bliss and
revival that comes in that.

A Quick Chat with Serena Rose