Q&A: Ella Rosa’s “Weapon” Sharpens the Edge of Emotional Dance Music
INTERVIEW
INTERVIEW
☆ BY SHEVON GREENE ☆
SIX-INCH NAILS, OPERA-TRAINED VOCALS — and a sound that feels like UK garage and bedroom pop colliding on a dance floor might be the best way to describe rising artist Ella Rosa.
With her unique upbringing in the English countryside alongside her classical training in piano, guitar, and opera, her current path might not be the one you’d expect. After a move to New York, then eventually LA, she leaned into a more rebellious and club-driven sound. The artist seamlessly melds UK garage, drum and bass, and pop with the perfect balance of sharpness and vulnerability, and she’s not afraid to be loud about it.
Her latest single “Weapon” is a bold and politically-charged track with a personal undercurrent, and her upcoming EP dives even deeper. What she would describe as an “emotional dance music” concept, her songs carry both edge and softness, and emphasize the importance of both. Her fashion and visual identity are also integral to her artistry.
We chatted with Ella about her journey from opera to underground club beats, the inspiration behind “Weapon,” and what’s next for her music. Read below for more.
LUNA: Your sound has been described as “UK garage, drum and bass, and bedroom pop that had a one-night stand.” How did that combo come together, and what keeps you coming back to it?
ELLA ROSA: I came to the realization that I should start making music I actually want to listen to. I go out a lot, so I hear a lot of electronic music. When I was younger, I listened to similar “going out” music, but more UK-heavy. That’s my favorite genre to make, hands down.
LUNA: “Weapon” feels like both a takedown and a reclaiming of power. What was going through your head when you were writing it?
ELLA ROSA: It came at a time when political tensions were high, around when Trump became president, and a lot of men felt entitled to openly express their hate toward women. I wanted to write about that. It was definitely from a place of anger.
LUNA: You studied opera and have a classical background. How does that influence your songwriting now, especially with tracks meant to be played loud?
ELLA ROSA: I wanted to create a space where classical and electronic meet. Classical music is catchy, almost in our DNA, and I like letting that influence my electronic work.
LUNA: Your lyrics are sharp and pointed, but there’s softness underneath. Do you think vulnerability and confidence can coexist in music?
ELLA ROSA: Absolutely. Music is about showing our multi-faceted emotional system. I want my songs to be a tapestry of emotions, making something beautiful from complexity.
LUNA: Your voice cuts through chaotic production. When you’re building a song, do you start with lyrics, melody, or something else?
ELLA ROSA: I start with the instrumental; it pushes me to write. I’ll work on the melody of the instruments first, then my vocal melody, and finally the lyrics. I’m melody-heavy first and foremost.
LUNA: How much of your writing is processing real life versus storytelling?
ELLA ROSA: Pretty much all of it comes from real or secondhand experience. I’ll sometimes overdramatize small things for the sake of making art.
LUNA: What themes or emotions tie your upcoming EP together?
ELLA ROSA: Emotional dance music—not quite dancefloor, but maybe the prelude or the afterthought. There are political undertones, though I’m not being too on-the-nose about it.
LUNA: Is fashion a big part of your identity? How does your style intersect with your sound?
ELLA ROSA: I’m interested in fashion, even if I’m not formally educated in it. Many of my friends are talented stylists, and I take inspiration from them. I love putting a look together—there’s something about having a good song, face, and outfit that feels electric.
LUNA: You’ve lived in the English countryside, New York, and LA. How have those places shaped your writing and sound?
ELLA ROSA: Each place taught me something different. England is home and keeps me grounded. New York gave me a tougher exterior. LA is calming in lifestyle, but intense work-wise.
LUNA: If your EP were a chaotic night out, what would the setting be?
ELLA ROSA: I love this question because it’s actually structured like a night from start to finish. It’s that point when you’re having fun, but your social battery hits zero and your thoughts spiral. It’s chaotic in a way that hopefully wakes people up and makes them want to do something.
