Pursuing music hasn’t always been at the forefront of CD Rose’s mind, she just enjoyed going to concerts. “I go to as many concerts with friends as possible,” she says. The turning point for her was when she attended a Jesse Reyez show. “She was giving her story of life before music and her current life. It was inspiring for someone to speak their truth without any fear of judgment from a crowd of strangers.”

CD Rose sets out to find that same bond with her music. “My songs are like a body. They have to have a heart, a mind, and limbs,” she says. “They have to be able to feel full and stand on their own without me promoting them. The goal of my music is to have a lasting effect on people. Like, when you meet someone and they become a part of your life. I want people to think about my music.”

I caught up with her to learn more about how she got started. Excerpts below.

She wrote her first song two years ago.
It sadly hasn't come out yet, and honestly, I'm not sure if it will. But I’m thinking about performing it at my next show.

My writing process evolves around the beat usually, that’s where I find my inspiration to tell the stories I do.

Her sound right now is a reflection of a 22-year-old living in a city that is always changing...
...And me trying to evolve alongside it while still trying to not get lost in it because that’s what happens often with artists coming up. My sound will always be a reflection of my life and the lives around me.

...and her family has always been fans of soulful singers.
Like Etta Fitzgerald, Nina Simone, and Whitney Houston. That’s played a huge role in my sound development and love for music as a whole.

However, they stopped making music and my influences began to shift towards more contemporary musicians like John Mayer, Daniel Ceaser, and SZA. I'm all over the place but I think that gives me a good balance.

Mass Art’s Born and Bred Boston was a really fun show for her...
I got the opportunity to perform alongside a bunch of super talented artists from Boston which is always fun. However, I'm really looking forward to the upcoming shows in 2020.

...and she had her first performance at The Middle East.
Which I'm very thankful for because it was one of my greatest learning experiences as a performer.

Her pre-performance ritual is a little unorthodox for a musician.
It’s eating. Usually, a burger which is horrible because I should really be drinking tea, but life is about balance, right? Live a little.

Career options outside of music?
If I wasn't doing music I'd want to be directing music videos. No matter what I want to be around music.

Where can Boston see you perform next?
TBA. Follow me at CDRose on all platforms to keep up with my future music and events.
Soundcloud // Facebook // Instagram

The Boston Music Awards recently selected CD Rose to be a part of the 617Sessions, a program that recognizes Boston-based artists who are making great contributions to the local scene and rewards them with a day of studio recording.