Q&A with Emma Rowe
LOCAL MUSO EMMA ROWE is among the first handpicked acts performing as part of Darwin Entertainment Centre’s Live @ The Studio series. We had a chat with her about all things music.
How would you describe your sound to someone who hasn’t heard it before?
It’s going through a bit of a phase, right now. It’s changing! It was rock’n’roll, so a lot of material at my Live @ The Studio gig is a bit rock.
My newer songs are more pop-rockfolky-bluesy [laughs].
What inspired the change?
I don’t know. I think it depends who I’m listening to at the time, and I think maybe I wanted to expand my horizons to different genres. I think it’s important for artists to change for their own creativity and sanity. If you spend your whole life making the same music, you might bore yourself and run out of creative ideas. Some musos, especially successful ones, get stuck. I think that’s because their fans have expectations of what they should be playing, and money can influence these decisions.
You’ve been handpicked in the first round of local performers for Live @ The Studio, how did you feel when you found out?
I felt amazing ‘cause I freakin’ love Amanda Palmer so much! This was the gig that I wanted, and I’m really happy. I think it’s such a great use of The Studio space. What a lovely way to start your evening!
Why do you think an event like this is important?
I reckon it’s because I’m pretty sure I’ll get to play in front of a new audience, which is the most standard way to make new fans. I hope it leads to new opportunities.
You grew up in Darwin, and have made a name for yourself as a singer-songwriter, what are some of the challenges you think musicians face here and across the NT?
I think one of the main things specific to Darwin and the NT is touring – it’s very expensive. So that’s a problem. Luckily, we do have a lot of grants out there to get money to do things like that, and lots of peeps still do that, which is a testament to them.
I’ve considered going ‘down south’ and I’ve kind of tried, but I just missed the lifestyle up here. It’s my home; I really love it up here! You can still do festivals, tours and make it down south, yet live up here. Especially with the internet it’s never been easier ‘cause everyone has access. Play your cards right and you can do it.
If you could give a budding, local musician some advice, what would it be?
Kick off your experience here. Don’t go down south with no performance or interview or recording experience. Play gigs here!
Okay, last one – what’s your favourite thing to get up to on the weekend in Darwin?
Good question! Going out to Florence Falls or the hot springs would be ideal, but what my weekends actually consist of is going to Cas Square and the Parap markets every Saturday. I love the markets. Darwin markets are the OG [original gangsta] markets. [Laughs].
Live @ The Studio – Emma Rowe
WHEN SAT 29 FEB | 5-7PM
AT THE STUDIO, DARWIN ENTERTAINMENT CENTRE
COST FREE
INFO yourcentre.com.au
