by averi campbell

A GOLD HAND EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW: ROZES

At this years Fashion Meets Music Festival in Columbus Ohio, Gold Hand was given the opportunity to interview with ROZES, a BAD ASS female EDM artist who has previously collaborated with musicians such as The Chainsmokers, Big Gigantic, Logic and more. ROZES (Elizabeth Mencel) had her very first radio hit with The Chainsmokers (casual). The track was simultaneously titled "ROSES" and drew an absolutely mental amount of attention. So much so, that "Roses" remained on the Billboard Hot 100 Chart for over 18 weeks.

Although she has had enormous success in her collaborations,

ROZES is much more than just a featured artist,

she's an electric musician with over 15 million hits on her song "Matches," released earlier this year. Check it out here.

With one of my personal favorite performances of FMMF, ROZES absolutely lit up the stage and definitely held a place as one of the most exciting artists on the lineup. ROZES completely captivated her audience with powerful vocals, moving expressions, and an energy that had her on every inch of the stage (even taking off her shoes at one point for better mobility.. get comfy, girl).

As I got the chance to sit down with ROZES, I was able to talk with her about feminism, inspiration, and her experience growing as an artist. So please,

come crush with us,

and be sure to add a ROZES song or two to your next playlist.

344414674371027.McpoBbbZtBL45jqqVBQ0_height640.png

344414674371028.1ejzRhgxDgBRLOLLBBJa_height640.png

-

Averi: Okay so to start off, when and what got you started with music?

ROZES: when and what? Um well I went through a really bad breakup in high school and I think that I wanted to be there for people going through the same thing, because I knew I wasn’t alone, but at the time I felt very alone. So I started kind of writing music and playing at open mic nights and talent shows. So yeah I guess that’s how I got started.

Averi: and who has been your biggest musical influence?

ROZES: I think I have a lot of influences. As far as lyrics go, I love Adele, Lana Del Rey, I think that they’re very honest and willing to show the emotional side of women, and I think that’s very important because it gets so tiring to hear like “Oh she’s crazy” you know? It’s better to hear why we feel what we feel. So that’s why I really love them and really draw from their lyrics. But as far as sound goes, I mean, I’ve been influenced by so many things. It could be Twenty One Pilots or even, as far as EDM goes, Calvin Harris. I just draw my inspiration from a lot of different things.

Averi: As an advocate for female empowerment and mental health awareness, how do these beliefs make their way into your music?

ROZES: Um, it’s like I said, I want to show why women feel what we feel. And I think it’s important to be emotionally free and I want other people to know that they aren’t crazy because they feel. Honestly I don’t want any human to feel that, because I think it’s important for men as well to express their feelings, because as we all know, sometimes they feel they have to hide them. But I definitely show empathy through my music and understanding of you know, I’ve been through bad breakups but I’ve never blamed anybody, so I think it’s important that women know their life isn’t over because of a guy, because of a relationship, or loss of love.

Averi: Conclusively, what is the biggest thing you want your audience to take away from your music?

ROZES: Definitely emotional freedom. I want them to realize that it isn’t a bad thing to have emotions and talk about them. It’s okay to be depressed or sad sometimes.