Rosin Quinn is back with a new single ‘The Shame’. It’s a mid-tempo vulnerable soulful hip hop track. It’s relatable for those who feel like they are stuck in a loop. It’s one that really hits home we caught up with Roisin to find out more
1. So tell me how did it all begin, what sparked your passion for music?
I guess it all began from day one really! I grew up in a household that had music playing almost 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. My dad had the biggest music collection and really eclectic taste so you could walk in and hear anything from the blues to classical, reggae to rock n roll, hip hop to folk. I also come from an Irish family, so tons of trad music and rebel songs. Someone gave us an old out of tune upright piano when I was about 8 years old, We’d just been moved to a bigger house and it fit in the hallway. I showed an interest and start playing it and that’s where life as a musician began.
2. How would you describe your sound?
As I just mentioned, I have a really eclectic musical background and I think that shows in my sound. My formatve years were spent listening to drum n bass, UK garage, hip hop and rnb, which I think comes through in my production choices. I often start writing at the piano so some more singer/songwriter soul and jazz vibes creeps in. I’ve also been experimenting more with sampling and production lately. I’m a big lover of vocal harmonies and work with a lot of choirs so that’s a big feature for me too. I try not to get too stuck to genre boundaries and do whatever delivers the message of the song. My upcoming album has a mix of what I’d call vinyl crackle laced melodic hip hop tracks and soul/folk/jazz tinged slower vocal led songs.
3. Who/what do you consider to be the biggest influence on your music?
Apart from all the great songwriters and sounds that have influenced me, I’ve gotta say my therapist haha. In all seriousness, my music is a massive outlet for me and it is how I’ve worked through and processed all the things I’ve been through in life. So I’d have to say my life experiences are the biggest influence. My upcoming album is called Beauty From Ruins, and a lot of my songs are all to do with making method from the madness of life, it’s a cathartic process for me, as it is for many songwriters.
4. Name three things you can’t live without?
Music, tea, walking in nature
5.Name 3 people you would love to work with and why?
Hak Baker, I really love what he’s doing, which is just being himself! I really relate to his life stories and music. Hearing his accent and the things he talks about makes me feel so at home.
Kneecap. Growing up as a child of Irish immigrants it’s been absolutely liberating to see the oppressed launguage and views unashamedly being shared, something I never really thought could or would happen, powerful stuff.
So hard to pick a third out of the many great ones out there, One of my dreams growing up was to sing backing vocals for Toots and the Maytals because I just loved the songs and harmony so much, and Toots Hibbert’s voice.. So if time travel is included in this question, then that’s my answer.