IN CONVERSATION WITH ROSEANNA
Interview by Samo Šajn
Roseanna Brown is a British-Irish singer, songwriter and actor. She has worked on major productions, including Harry Potter, Thor: The Dark World, and Citadel, while also finding success as a singer and songwriter. She recently released her latest single, “Awake,” alongside her role in the new WWII drama Pressure. We spoke with her about balancing music and acting, her creative process and what comes next.
You’ve built your career across music and acting. How do these two sides of your work influence each other?
They're both such beautiful creative spaces; how can they not!? I would say when I’m focused solely on music or acting, I have the time to find issues or difficulties, and when I’m focused on both, it almost clears the path completely. The thought process and performance are so much clearer for choices and enjoyment.
Your new single, “Awake,” came out of a challenge to write 21 songs in 21 days. What did that process teach you about your songwriting?
To trust my gut instinct more than anything else. I hadn't written solo for quite a while, and as I went along the 21 days, I realised that trusting my gut made the entire songwriting process easier and more fun. Sometimes we can bang our heads against the wall writing a song, and those times feel so difficult, like you're forcing the song. Letting go of the end result and trusting the process made it so much more fun and rewarding.
“Awake” has a different feel from some of your previous work. What made you want to explore this more upbeat, guitar-led sound?
I’ve always loved a guitar-driven, upbeat sound, like Ed Sheeran or Justin Timberlake, and I hadn't really heard many women in this sonic lane, so I think I questioned whether it was ‘me’ subconsciously. As soon as my co-producer heard it and I saw his face, I knew I had to explore that side of me and my music. I've got some big ballads coming next, and this song is what gave me the confidence to not be scared of going even further sonically and being a bit more dramatic.
The song is about having someone constantly on your mind. What inspired you to capture that particular feeling?
It is definitely a blend of different memory moments in my life; I think we have all been there when we have someone or something on our mind, in a good, excited way. The guitar brought up that feeling in me, and I didn't question it; I just knew this is where it had to go in that playful energy and also nostalgic too, which made me think back years!
You’ve written more than 60 songs for artists across pop, country, K-pop and dance. How does writing for yourself differ from writing for someone else?
It's like a whole different hat and personality; maybe this is where the acting and writing influence each other! I love putting myself in another person's perspective and, if I’m in the room with them, learning about them and how they are feeling and what they're going through or wanting at the moment. I do always randomly get ideas, concepts and titles, and they're not all for me; it's just a thought or a random word that comes to my head, and it's always fun to go into a session with those.
You’re also starring in Pressure, alongside Andrew Scott, Brendan Fraser, Kerry Condon and Damian Lewis. What drew you to the role?
There are so many amazing untold stories still about WWII, and I think bringing something like this to life for people to know and see is amazing. I am a huge fan of historical and period dramas, so having the opportunity to be in one and with such an incredible cast and crew was a dream.
The climax of Pressure takes place largely in the control room. What was the experience of filming such an intense sequence like?
Actually quite intense. The director, Anthony Maras, had a clock sound ticking on set, creating a tense atmosphere in the silence; we didn't know when ‘action’ was actually going to be called. It really helped build the emotion, and it was different every single take. I think everything was done to make it feel as real as possible, especially in such a small room with a lot of people in it.
Having worked on productions including Harry Potter, Thor: The Dark World and Citadel, what have those experiences taught you about working on major film and television sets?
I have been so lucky to work on some incredible productions and with incredible people, cast and crew. They've taught me that there is always something you can learn, and that it's a creative space where you figure it out; it's never about perfection. Obviously, everyone wants to do their jobs well and have a good time, but there is a lot of respect for everyone in their different crafts and what they do. It's always a full team effort, never just one person.
Your new single and Pressure are arriving around the same time. Does it feel significant to have your music and acting careers connecting in this way?
It feels great. I had struggled in the past with thinking I had to pick one career over the other, and was also told many times that I needed to pick one and focus only on that. I’m so happy I stopped believing that and fully allowed myself to pursue them both with passion and excitement, so it feels really great to see them both happening side by side. Kinda wonderful to think I've proven to myself I can do it and to others who may think they need to choose. Do it all, you’ll feel better for it.
Looking ahead, what are you most excited to explore next, in music, acting, or perhaps somewhere in between?
I’m excited to explore it all! For some reason, everything at the moment feels so brand new, and I’m so happy to flow between them both and songwriting too. I have some exciting things already planned, but who knows what might come up along the way as well.
