Niina Rosa talks about his craft, sense of style and more

How did you come by your stage brand name?

Niina rosa was something that I came up with because I wanted a name to release stuff under as I grew and learned, but I didn’t want people knowing it was me, so I made up this name. Nina is a Russian name, and that’s part of my heritage, it also carries the meaning that relates to my music; voyaging, dreaming. I added the second “i” and I usually write the name all lower case, but not always. The rest I’ll leave for you to ponder.

When did you discover your love for your craft and what made you realize you wanted to pursue a career in it?

Music has been in my life since I was very young, two years ago I decided to start taking it seriously because I just wanted to be able to make music I liked. So I started piano lessons, working on my voice, just learning the fundamentals…which I’m still doing haha, and will be doing forever. I love learning about music.

To what or whom do you accredit your sense of style?

There is a quote that I really love from Terence McKenna, “I don’t know if I’m cool or not, but I am incredibly resistant to any effort to make me think I’m uncool.” I’m not sure that I’m that resistant yet, but I’m working on it! If I do have any style, I give full credit to my mom and all the traveling we did when I was younger, lived in Tobago, Greece.

I like when clothes and style feel unforced and natural, just an expression of personality. I buy most of my clothes from second hand or vintage stores, and I like fixing as many pieces of clothing I own as possible. I wear really simple things, but I’m starting to understand a bit more about fashion now, and so I’m hoping a bit of that without spending a dime.

Musically, I grew up listening to Sheryl Crow, Sum 41, Bob Dylan, Oasis, Marvin Gaye and Jazz and Classical. So that was basically my soup as a kid. I don’t listen to much music these days, but when I do it’s either R&B (old or new and any sub-genre), Country or Jazz.

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On your upcoming project, how did you come up with the concept?

Latent Synchronicity is the single from “Melting When My Eyes Open” which is a full LP out on May 8th, so basically in less than a month from now.

My lyrics and music are reflections on life, and the lyrics have a lot of overlapping themes. I don’t want my writing to be obvious, or about this specific thing or that specific thing. It’s broad and abstract, but if you look closely, you’ll see that everything fits together, like a puzzle. Latent Synchronicity is basically about getting stoned and reading one of my favorite authors, Ken Kesey.

But it’s also about the need/want we all have to take life slower – even if we don’t know it, “no time to do it, gotta live freely.” It’s existential and cosmic, as is the whole LP, “Melting When My Eyes Open.” This single is also kind of a foreshadowing of some new music that I’m already working on and will release in the summer.

A lot of my inspiration has been coming from fringe science, the future of spirituality and just what it means to be human, to be alive. These are the things I was thinking about and still think about when making music and expressing myself. Woven throughout are thoughts on love, fire and passion, intertwined spirits, dreams and just being me.

What are some of your greatest challenges, and what is your greatest attribute when it comes to your work ethic?

Some big challenges I face have to do with not beating myself up, not being hard on myself. I have great friends and family who help me with that and I’m very grateful. It’s a common thing for a lot of creative people and artists to deal with. Overcoming that was hard to even start thinking about making music and putting it into the world.

In terms of my work ethic, I feel like I work really really hard, basically as hard as I can as who I am in this world, so I’m happy with that.

I’m definitely putting in the sweat hours at this point, but it’s just because I want to get better, I want to push myself, not for any other reason, and that’s making it easier. That mindset of just doing it for me and closing everything else out.

Are you the best at what you do in your opinion?

I think that all you can do is compete with yourself and have fun while doing it, it leads to good places I think.

What are your plans for the near future?

Basically this single is out there now, “Latent Synchronicity”, and “Melting When My Eyes Open” comes out May 8th, there will also be a music video for a song off that project called “Miracle” so that’ll be dropping too.

After that, this summer, I already have some new music and new artwork that I’m really excited to release.

Is there anyone you’d like to thank, any shout outs?

shout out to my mom for making the cover art for the LP dropping May 8th, it’s super dope, she painted it.

How can fans find you?

The best place is really Instagram, that’s my hub. @niinarosamusic

What suggestions do you have for other artists like yourself?

I’d say, what everyone says about practicing is true. Learn as much as you can and implement it as fast as you can, just try shit out. And try your best to lock out other people’s opinions on basically anything. Also, don’t be too hard on yourself.

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