Meet exciting Melbourne emcee Poppy Rose, and her excellent new single, Lost

After capturing the attention (and hearts) of many last year with her debut single Ocean, Melbourne's Poppy Rose has followed it up with another emotive new track in Lost. It's a fantastic slice of melancholic pop, one that finds Rose coming to terms with her own mental health issues while tackling them in a larger sense. Alongside the likes of G Flip and Mallrat, she's joining an increasingly strong March of exciting young acts that are this country's next crop of future stars. We got to know her a little better below:

Tell us about about yourself?

I go by Poppy Rose. I love long walks on the beach, watching Cardi B interviews and every once in a while I play 50 Cent - P.I.M.P to get me in the mood for the day. I’m also a 21 year old, up-and-coming artist from Melbourne on a mission to share my music with the world!

What kinda tunes we talkin’?

Obviously P.I.M.P.; Billie Eilish – Ocean Eyes (let those angelic vocals and high notes take you to a dream land); If I Could I Would Feel Nothing by Blackbear; Silhouettes Of You by Isaac Gracie; COPYCAT by Billie Eilish; Watch You Go by Tyne-James Organ; Like Gold by Vance Joy.

Production/writing process:

I never learnt how to play an instrument, it was always about words and capturing sounds for me (with my own voice). I might hear one word or sentence that gives me an idea and eventually lyrics for a whole song, or I’ll hear a piano note, or a sound when I’m down the street and that inspires me to form a whole melody and hum it into my voice memos. A lot of my melodies happen when I’m in the shower, so some of my voice memos is me singing or humming with a waterfall sound effect in the background. Once I put an idea down, I go to my producer and he listens to me attempt to beatbox a drum pattern or hum a guitar riff and he makes it all come to life. We both work collaboratively to create the instrumental beat and then I record and sing my vocals. I have a lot of say in my production and treat my ideas and music like it’s my baby. The producer is like the fun Aunty/Uncle that gives it sugar to make it sweet.

Can you tell us about your new single, Lost?

My new single Lost is a really special one to me. It’s about realising your inner demons and finding the strength to overcome them through speaking out. I wanted to share a vulnerable part of myself with the world and not feel ashamed or afraid to do so. I feel like many of us hold in so many feelings and emotions that build up over time and take over our lives. We don’t share them because we are afraid of coming across as ‘not perfect’ but in truth, everyone knows that no one is perfect. It takes a strong human to be able to speak out and share their vulnerabilities and I wrote this song because I found so much strength in myself when I spoke about what was holding me back and I wanted to share this with as many people as possible in hope that I might inspire or resonate with someone who feels lost and let them know that there is always a way out.

Any shows coming up?

I actually have my first headline show coming up alongside my mate Charlie Threads on April 26th at The Workers Club in Melbourne. This will be for the release of Lost and for Charlie’s new single Questions. It’s going to be rad! I’ve performed alongside Charlie Threads before and he is honestly my favourite male artist in Australia. I’m also opening for Horrorshow on the 13th of April at The Gasometer in Melbourne, which I’m super excited about.

What’s the rest of the year have in store?

Well, I’m just stoked to have my second single ever out! I’m going to be performing a lot more this year and making heaps of music, so I’m just taking each day as it comes and loving sharing my journey with everyone.

Where can we hear more of your music?

You can hear my music at all good streaming places or on triple j Unearthed! Follow my Facebook page as well to hear about any upcoming shows and new music.

Follow Poppy Rose: FACEBOOK