- Desert Island Cloud Rosalie James: Embracing Authenticity and Advocating Through Music

Rosalie James, a multi-instrumentalist and singer-songwriter hailing from Cornwall, UK, has always had a deep connection with music. Growing up, she immersed herself in the timeless sounds of The Beatles and The Bangles, experiencing the raw emotions of 80s synth-pop and new wave on her bright yellow Sony Walkman. Her musical journey expanded through the 90s, drawing inspiration from the lyrical depth of dreampop and indie artists. Influenced by anyone capable of crafting a good song, Rosalie has honed her own unique voice and sound.

Despite her musical inclinations, Rosalie’s life has been marked by significant personal challenges. From the age of nine, she faced sensory sensitivities, difficulty managing emotions, and social interactions. These challenges led to treatments for severe depression, anxiety, premenstrual dysphoric disorder, and substance use issues. It wasn’t until January 2023 that she was diagnosed with autistic spectrum disorder, a revelation that has allowed her to embrace her true self.

After two degrees and a decade working as a social worker in mental health and social care, Rosalie made a pivotal decision in June 2023 to return to her creative roots. With a burning desire to change the world, she now uses her music to raise awareness and reduce stigma around neurodiversity, domestic violence, addiction, and mental health.

Rosalie’s recent Kickstarter campaign was a testament to her talent and the support she garners. She raised £5000 in just 28 days, propelled by a short video featuring clips of her songs. Her summer of 2023 was filled with festival gigs, supporting renowned UK pianist Ben Waters at Mylor Sessions, and delivering candid interviews on Radio Cornwall. Her previous singles, “Will We Ever Rest?” and a cover of Kate Bush’s “Running Up That Hill,” received airplay on BBC Introducing South West, eliciting a positive response from listeners.

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With a prolific writing and recording habit, Rosalie boasts a back catalogue of over 200 songs, which grows steadily. Her music has already made its way onto UK primetime soap opera Hollyoaks and US drama The Black Donnellys, hinting at a promising future for album releases and publishing/sync deals.

Rosalie’s music appeals to fans of classic songwriters like Joni Mitchell, Neil Young, Carole King, and Kate Bush, as well as contemporary indie artists such as Conor Oberst, Elliot Smith, Sharon Van Etten, Angel Olsen, Bon Iver, boygenius, and The National. Her songs are characterized by brutally honest lyrics, catchy melodies, a dreamily soulful voice, and a slightly chaotic stage presence.

Her album, Full of Chemicals, carries a rich mix of dreampop, indie rock, folk, and Americana. Much of the album was produced and recorded in Los Angeles, a place with deep personal significance for Rosalie. Her father toured with legendary acts like Grateful Dead, Wings, Santana, and The Tubes in the early 70s, and her recent trip to LA allowed her to finalize lead vocals at Balboa Recording Studio with producer Daniel Knowles (Sharon Van Etten). The album features contributions from notable musicians like Jorge Balbi, Lukas Frank, Steve Jackson, Garett Lang, and Jason Abraham Roberts.

The leading single, “Girl I Was,” tells a poignant story of a destructive past relationship and the personal growth that follows. The second single, “Soft Target,” is an anthem for women who weren’t diagnosed as neurodivergent until adulthood, offering solidarity and understanding. The third single, “ISLAND,” reflects on the challenges of parenting as a young adult, drawing from Rosalie’s own experiences with severe depression and addiction while raising two children.

Full of Chemicals promises to be a cathartic and essential listen, offering an autobiographical glimpse into Rosalie’s struggles with neurodiversity, toxic relationships, addiction, and mental health. As Rosalie eloquently puts it, “There is so much I want to say, and the depths of terminal sadness and fleeting joy can only be properly expressed through music – any other form of communication is corrupted by confusion and doubt. Maybe feeling too much is actually feeling exactly the right amount when you’re trying to make something meaningful. Anyway, I can’t stop now.”