Exclusive Interview: Pop Culturalist Chats with Emily Rowed

Vancouver electro-pop artist Emily Rowed has a brand new album out entitled April. The ten-track collection is a personal tell-all of her journey with love, and it follows her widely successful debut album, Electric Heart, which currently has over a million streams on Spotify. Pop Culturalist spoke with Emily about the release.

PC: How did you discover your passion for music?
Emily: I used to write blues songs on my dad’s keyboard. I’m not sure how it started but I couldn’t seem to stop.

PC: Who or what has had the biggest influence on your career?
Emily: The people in my life have had a huge influence on my career. Also falling in love, failing, losing, pretty much as soon as I pay attention, there’s a song there.

PC: Tell us about your new single, “Watercolors”. What inspired the track?
Emily: “Watercolors” is about the trip of falling in love and how the world becomes calm, dreamy, and melty.

PC: You’re releasing your sophomore album this month. Tell us more about April.
Emily: April is about the year that I gave away almost everything I owned, and the bliss and loss related to choosing freedom.

PC: How does April differentiate itself from your debut album, Electric Heart?
Emily: April is much more of a time stamp—it’s a concept album. It’s a pretty sensitive, introverted record.

PC: If you had to pick one song that best encompasses the album, what would it be and why?
Emily: I would have to say “Two Feet”. It’s the story of all the goodbyes and everything that led to leaving.

PC: As we look ahead in 2019, what does the rest of the year hold for you?
Emily: I am always writing and recording more songs. I’ll also be playing some shows, too.

Pop Culturalist Speed Round

PC: Guilty pleasure TV show?
Emily: The Office? I don’t consider it a guilty pleasure, just the only show I’ll watch over and over.

PC: Guilty pleasure movie?
Emily: The Notebook

PC: Favorite book?
Emily: The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron

PC: Favorite play or musical?
Emily: The Taming of the Shrew

PC: A band or artist that fans would be surprised to learn is on your playlist?
Emily: Mickey Avalon

PC: First album you bought?
Emily: Robyn

PC: First concert you attended?
Emily: Third Eye Blind

PC: A venue on your bucket list to perform at?
Emily: The Hollywood Bowl

PC: An album that changed your life and why?
Emily: Sia’s Some People Have Real Problems because it’s so delicate and warm.

To keep up with Emily, make sure to follow her on Facebook and Instagram, and pick up April on iTunes, or stream it on Spotify.