Singing came to Esther Rose almost as early as breathing did. She began by singing harmony with her sisters, often taking the highest portion of their three-part harmonies. As she grew into writing and singing her own songs, Rose slowly learned to transform those beautiful harmony parts into a powerful and melodic lead instrument.

It took Esther Rose a few years and more than one locale to find the full throated version of her own voice. Growing up with what she describes as, “hippie liberal parents”, Rose was exposed to art, music, and culture at an early age. She even had the benefit of a practical arts education in a place where that might seem awfully unlikely.

By her teenage years Rose had started work at writing her own songs and eventually moved to New Orleans with a boyfriend in her early 20’s to pursue a life in and around music. While in the Crescent City, Esther learned to play guitar and worked at songwriting with a full time dedication.

Esther Rose has now released a quintet of terrific albums that incorporate Americana, folk, and pop into her ever evolving sound. She describes her most recent album, Want as “a roadmap to recovery”. In 2023, after a lengthy tour schedule in support of her Safe To Run album, Rose found herself exhausted, anxious, and on the verge of walking away from music altogether.

Thankfully, through a great deal of work, that included the help of psychedelic therapy, Rose is now healthier than she has been in a very long time. Esther opens up about the process of her treatment and its effects on her life. She also speaks eloquently about the ways in which the power of collaboration have helped to shape the sound of her more recent work, and enhanced her connection to the outside world.

Let’s get into it.

Cheers,

Matty C

----------------

End Credits

Thanks so much to Esther for joining me. You can find out all about his writing, music, and more at https://www.estherrose.net/

The What Am I Making podcast is hosted, written, and produced by me, Matty C.

Our theme music was written and recorded by David J. Baldwin.

You can subscribe to our show wherever you get your podcasts. Please be sure to like, rate and review the show if you enjoy it.

Our work is solely sponsored by listeners and readers like you. Please lend your support today with a paid subscription at whatamimaking.substack.com/. Now is a crucial time for new paid subscribers. Please step up and support the show.

You can email the show anytime at [email protected]. You can also leave us a voicemail with your questions or concerns at speakpipe.com/whatamimaking

Get full access to What Am I Making at whatamimaking.substack.com/subscribe