Ezza Rose

When the vocals of Ezza Rose are described as haunting, people are referring to her ability to be porous and unshakable at the same time. Hers is a lilting permeability—the way a ghost might seep through doors and walls like a supernatural fog. The same way her music flows effortlessly into one ear and out the other, leaving behind melodic traces. Her beautifully delicate, mournfully classic voice floats amongst the loosely bound, misty particles in the air and our minds and fills the cracks with a sound that's chilling and comforting, all at once.

There's no shortage of moments like these on Rose's new record, When The Water's Hot, and the album's fourth track, "Amelie," is no exception. What's different, though, with the follow-up to her 2014 live record Poolside (which was recorded during the wee hours of the morning in the tiled confines of an abandoned swimming pool in the basement of a historic hotel in downtown Portland) is the sound unveiled by her full band, marking the transition from acoustic folk singer to something more electrified and, possibly, even more haunting (especially considering the prevalent cello). And the aforementioned "Amelie" is a perfect introduction.

Inspired by a short story written by Rose's sister, Clare Sanders, the tale tells of "a painter living a relatively usual life, working a day job in retail, and living with her boyfriend. She comes home and paints every evening. She eventually becomes consumed by the color crimson," Rose explains. "The story is about a dark battle between self, creation and love—a wonderful medium for a song."

While you enjoy the premiere of "Amelie" (below), read a passage from Sanders' story:


“Amelie was sitting, head in her hands, her body trembling, atop a mountain of red sand, and she was flickering again. The record player spun from its place a few feet down the slope, somehow still playing even though the frayed power cord lay lifeless in the sand, and the speakers were nowhere to be found. The orange canvases that he’d seen that morning were scattered around the edges of the room, and they were all frayed, torn to pieces, hanging in violent tatters from their warped stretcher bars.”

Welp, Ezza Rose has put together another exquisitely haunting record that's fragile and bold, evocative and secretive in the same breath.

Now, look forward to hearing When The Water's Hot live on Saturday, January 17 at the official release show at Mississippi Studios with Nick Jaina and Water Tower supporting. The Ezza Rose Band features Jessie Dettwiler (cello), Adam Mack (drums), Arthur Lee (keys, lead guitar) and Lance Leonnig (bass). - Vortex Magazine

Within the first few moments of opening track “Tele,” listeners familiar with the acoustic Americana and poetry of Ezza Rose will notice something notably different: the sound of an electric Gibson Les Paul. “Tele” is a fun tale of mind-control and addiction to technology, set to a more upbeat alternative sound since the band’s albums Poolside and Jacob. Ezza dives into writing about observing the human condition, while still throwing in the occasional love song, as in the track entitled “Kissing and Shouting.”

Much of The Ezza Rose Band’s work has a certain underlying silence that only empowers each instrument’s note or vocal echo. Recorded in the studio space of Secret Society, the sound of When The Water’s Hot is polished and contained, with a launch of electronic instruments and production. Acoustic instruments like the ukulele and accordion have been diminished and replaced with keys, whirling effects, and electric guitar pings. Lance Leonnig still plays upright bass, and Jessie Dettwiler (Alameda) adds intrigue with cello, particularly in the exotic splendor of the track “Amelie.”

Ezza’s singer/songwriting talents push on. Her voice is consistently smooth and clear, ethereal, and from the gut. It rises, glides, and falls, not unlike her cover-art for the album, depicting the daffodils that her small mining hometown is known for, and the charts mapping ocean paths (an homage to her love of sailing). While the band’s sound expands with more rock, blues, and experimental elements, The Ezza Rose Band still retains its strong organic roots that have been deepening in Portland for the last several years. » - ElevenPDX

[PLUGGED-IN FOLK] If Ezza Rose's dreamy, delicate vocals weren't so recognizable, one might not realize that her latest album, When the Water's Hot, is the product of the folk songstress who's been playing across Portland for the past eight years. Her music, previously built on gentle, minimalist melodies and eerie harmonies, takes a different tone on her new LP. More electrified and slightly more ominous than the simple, lilting sound she previously established, this is Rose at her best so far. Highlights come in the laid-back, doo-wop swing of "Tie Me Up," the rolling electric guitar on "Under Your Teeth" and the deep, scissoring cello that breaks up the easy flow of "Sailboat Land." Standout track "Amelie" brings back the vibes of her previous album, Poolside, which she recorded in an abandoned hotel pool—only this time, her gentle sparseness is enlivened by rich punches of instrumentation and creates a striking mixture of Rose's past, present and possible future. - Willamette Week

Ezza Rose started her musical journey at a very early age. By a tender 7, having the tip jar ready when playing along with her daddy’s band in Julian, a tiny dot of a town a few hours east of San Diego. Small steps, determined steps, and most of all, HER steps. On HER terms.
Grit and drive is the takeaway. But not without cost, as you will hear in our conversation. But with out the cost, you don’t get the biggest gift; the chance to receive a different way of expressing life and reflecting exactly what’s going on. Ezza tells me “a song allows you to do whatever you want, …in the context of a song”. And along the way, she has been so lucky to encounter helpful people who are pushing the journey along, like that forthcoming tour to New Zealand. - Oregon Music News