UK creative Rosalie James has just unveiled her debut album and my is it equally inventive as it is engrossing. Called Full of Chemicals, the ten track journey, chronicles Rosalie’s powerful and raw experiences battling addiction, neurodiversity, mental health and toxic love affairs. The album is a storied musical oasis filled with folk-drenched pop tunes and indie rock bangers. Produced by the one and only Daniel Knowles (Sharon Van Etten), Full of Chemicals is a genuine gem that transcends expectations. From the award-winning single “Soft Target”, an upbeat indie rock anthem based upon Rosalie’s own experiences with being emotionally different, to the moody folk slow-burned song “ISLAND”, the songwriter shows her songwriting and musical prowess throughout. The highlight is perhaps “Girl I Was”, a Kate Bush like song that details a dangerous past relationship.
Rosalie James leaves listeners a lingering sense of melancholic beauty in her songs, evoking deep emotional responses and connections with seemingly effortless grace. We talked with the singer all about her new album, funny show moments, and musical influences.
Congratulations on your debut album. You discuss such powerful and deeply personal themes in the album including your past struggles with neurodiversity, addiction and mental health. Why is it important for you to be so honest in your music and how do you hope your music touches others?
I think I’ve always lacked embarrassment about my own difficulties and failings – my favourite thing is telling people the ridiculous mistakes I’ve made. That’s not always a good thing as I’m sure I’ve over-shared and put people off plenty of times as a result. But I also strongly believe that the only way we can make positive change in the world is to get rid of our in-built defensiveness and try not to let our egos run the show. Music is a great medium for sharing the truth as it softens it somehow. I’m not standing on a box preaching about abstinence or sobriety, I’m just saying, ‘Oh, yeah, by the way, it’s really easy to get hooked on prescription medication but it’s not impossible to survive it,’ and sometimes that encourages other people to be less judgemental or to talk about their own experiences more openly.
Why did you name your album Full of Chemicals? What is the significance of this?
From a really young age I knew I didn’t like life very much, because I was constantly trying to make myself feel okay with various things. Sugar came first and continues to plague me, but as I got older and was medicated for depression and anxiety with an array of different drugs it got harder to keep level. When I was diagnosed as autistic, and I suspect ADHD also, it all made a lot more sense… there were all kinds of things going on with dopamine and serotonin and estrogen and progesterone and at times I had no control over myself. I’m at a point now where I have a medication regime which works, but I feel like I’ll always be full of chemicals. But all human beings are 99% chemicals anyway, right? I mean, someone might want to fact check this – I’m no scientist… in fact the other day I asked my friend what the moon was, so don’t listen to me.
You traveled to Los Angeles, California to make your album alongside producer Daniel Knowles. How did recording in this place affect your sound? What was it like to work alongside Daniel and what did he bring to the music?
I do seem to have adopted some California into what is really a very English sound. It’s partly from my father, who toured with bands across America in the 70s but always felt like California was his home. I grew up listening to The Beach Boys and The Monkees. And I think I’ve been really influenced by some of the Laurel Canyon-era songwriters, where there was definitely a kind of folk/country being mixed with something a bit heavier and darker. And then I started listening to Elliott Smith and then Phoebe Bridgers. So all those things led me to LA in a way, but really it wouldn’t have happened that way if Daniel Knowles hadn’t been based there – he has been incredibly central to every part of it. He was really patient with me, particularly in building up my confidence and helping me express the direction I wanted to go in with each song.
We hear so many musical styles in the album, from folk to rock, pop and even Americana. Who are some of your musical influences?
I might have shot myself in the foot in a way, as it is really difficult to sum up what genre I am. There’s definitely some pop in there. I think I’d say the songwriting of The Beatles, Elton John and The Bangles mixed with female-fronted indie rock acts like Sleeper, Elastica, Belly and Juliana Hatfield.
Do you have a favorite song on the album or lyrical line? If so, what is the significance to you?
My favourite album track is “Girl I Was”, because writing that song made me believe I had enough range for an album. I’d written lots of slow, sad songs but I knew I needed something a bit edgier and a bit faster, and suddenly I had it. My favourite lyric on the album is from a song called Fall Into the Blue – “We are the ghosts at every feast – the small talk is what’s killing us.” It’s a reference to Shakespeare’s Banquo, but is really about the difference and isolation I feel, being autistic. Quite a few people have said it resonates with them though – I guess we’re all alone in a crowd sometimes, or out of sync with the group.
You have played many festivals and shows. Can you tell our readers a fun tour story?
Ha ha! I am so not fun. I hate loud noises, fireworks, balloons, crowds and organised games. Probably the only thing I can think of is that a woman who didn’t like me once threw a Cornish pasty at me while I was singing at a wedding. Her aim was terrible though, and it hit the drummer. I just kept singing… I mean, what else can you do?!
Finally, what is next for Rosalie James?
I have somehow found myself an amazing band and we’re going to do some shows recreating the album. They are all really talented and I can’t wait to get on stage and introduce people to the live experience of Full of Chemicals. I’m manifesting the chance to do a support slot for boygenius or The National – might as well aim high. I also want to hear my music at the end of some dark Scandi detective drama – that would genuinely make my day.
Connect with Rosalie James: INSTAGRAM
