Manchester’s Caoilfhionn Rose has come of age as an artist, digging deep to find experimental new ways of expressing her wonder at nature’s beauty, her love of music in all its diversity, and her belief in the restorative powers that both afford in the troubled post-COVID world.
Vigorous, searching and ever-curious, Caoilfhionn has found a voice at once ancient and modern, intrepidly exploring contemporary technology to transform traditional songcraft for the mid-2020’s.
Caoilfhionn’s music is rooted in a knowledge of folk, jazz and all the twentieth century’s classic tunesmiths, and seems to create a magical, otherworldly space of her own imagining, blending Caoilfhionn’s core piano with synths, and pitting a live rhythm section and saxophone embellishments against ambient samples and future-facing production techniques.
Her new album ‘Constellation’ is available to now on Gondwana Records. Don’t miss her performance at Privatclub on Thursday, 1st May.
FACTS
1. I like a good train ride
2. My wonderful Gran is 99
3. I am a hopeful person
1. What is the biggest inspiration for your music?
I experience its healing powers again and again through creating, listening, playing and going to gigs. I am so inspired by the possibility of making something new and the feelings it all evokes. There’s so much to experiment, explore and experience.
2. How and when did you get into making music?
My Granny Rose gifted me a piano when I was 7 years old and I was lucky to have lessons with a lovely and encouraging teacher. Around 15 years old I started writing my own songs and jamming with friends. It was always a big comfort and release to sit at the piano and play and sing.
3. What are 5 of your favourite albums of all time?
The Mummers – ‘Tale To Tell’
The Cinematic Orchestra – ‘Ma Fleur’
Matthew Halsall – ‘Fletcher Moss Park’
Homelife – ‘Exotic Interlude’
Polly Paulusma ‘Scissors In My Pocket’
4. What do you associate with Berlin?
When I think of Berlin – I remember the amazing festival feeling of Mauerpark, wandering around the flea market and busking there on a sunny day. The film ‘Victoria’ comes to mind, set in Berlin and the beautiful soundtrack by Nils Frahm. There’s a stunning scene in that film of people dancing around a hazy club with Nils’ delicate music playing over the top. I think of all the museums I’ve been to and the art I’ve seen there – it’s such an interesting place, I feel like I’ve only scratched the surface in the handful of times I’ve visited.
5. What’s your favourite place in your town?
By the popular trees in Fletcher Moss Park.
6. If there was no music in the world, what would you do instead?
In a world without music I’d be quite lost – I think I’d have to take myself off travelling or go for a very long walk. It’s hard to imagine what could fill that space. I guess I would surround myself with people, find some other way to use all that creative energy through art or writing – it would all just be a lot quieter and sad.
7. What was the last record/music you bought or listen?
I bought a CD at the gig I went to last night – Pierre Flasse’s EP ‘True’.
8. Who would you most like to collaborate with?
Alabaster dePlume – I’m so intrigued by his creative processes and I love his sound-world and message.
9. What was your best gig (as performer or spectator)?
Difficult to name one – I’m a regular gig goer, some favourites as a spectator recently have been: Daudi Matsiko, Jasmine Myra, The Breath, Rachel Sermanni and Rory A. Green
10. How important is technology to your creative process?
I’ve always loved playing around with music production and experimenting with it over the years has played a big part in my musical development. I also enjoy creating at the piano or guitar and am currently exploring notating some new music.
11. Please tell us more about the creation/development of your new album “Constellation”?
The first song from this body of work that came to fruition was ‘Wandering Mind’ which really set the direction of the album in terms of sound-world and themes wise. I describe the process of making this album like a collage as it was quite pieced together. I think the song ‘Momentary’ was actually 2 different songs at one point which my husband and co-writer Rich Williams thought might work together. It was a collaborative project and features lots of wonderful musicians such as John Ellis (The Cinematic Orchestra), Jordan Smart (Mammal Hands) and Kirsty Almeida. ‘Constellation’ is a hopeful collection of songs that I’m really enjoying playing live.
