FusionandFolk: So whats new? Have you been chilling for the most part? Note the sarcasm?
R: Well, It’s been a busy summer and fall for me. I’m starting my Miss ND school tour, speaking at numerous schools and colleges about my platform – Celebrate Diversity: One Nation, All People
FusionandFolk: How has winning the pageant and title of Miss North Dakota helped or hurt your process of making music?
R: It has 100% helped my process of making music. Being able to travel and meet new people everyday has really influenced my writing in many ways. It’s exciting to connect with so many people excited about music and the making of music. I am stricken with this HUGE tour bug…
FusionandFolk: When did you finally start to believe that your music was something real and meaningful?
R: I think I knew it for a long time, but just recently accepted how music would play a role in my life. I think I’ve been pushing it to the side – that is – it hasn’t been my number one priority, more like my favorite hobby so to speak. But more recently, I’ve started to believe I can make music my number one, my main focus.
FusionandFolk: What were you listening to when you were a high school kid? And did it affect your music today?
R: Oh high school… I remember being on a really big Led Zeppelin and Bob Dylan kick. I was also really involved in choir and theatre during high school, so I listened to a lot of Eric Whitacre and Andrew Lloyd Webber. I guess that’s completely across the board, but I think every aspect has a huge impact of my writing today. As nerdy as this sounds, I really dig good chord progression – Led Zeppelin’s are amazing. As a writer, I admire the simplicity but effectiveness of Bob Dylan’s ballads, the dissonance Eric Whitacre perfects is so unique, and I think Andrew Lloyd Weber has a way emulating the mood of each scene so effortlessly – he’s really inspired me throughout my process of writing my own musical.
FusionandFolk: What other projects are you working on?
R: I’m hoping to do a full-length album sooner than later. There’s no promise to when that will be done, but I know I want to push myself out of my comfort zone and really try some different things.
FusionandFolk: What matters more, style or substance?
R: Well I don’t think anyone sets out to write an album that lacks substance – songs that are just ‘okay.’ But, I think style can change song to song on an album. That’s almost how I would prefer it to be. I’ll admit that I tend to get bored really easily, so if each song on an album sounds exactly the same, I’m probably snoozing 🙂
FusionandFolk: What’s the best live music show you have ever seen?
R: That is a toughie…When I was in high school I had the opportunity to see Ray Charles at the Fargodome. Every show he would donate a certain amount of tickets to high school music students. At the time, I truthfully didn’t know that much about his music, but I was always up for a free concert. I went and from the minute he walked on stage, I remember being so enthralled by him. He was such an amazing entertainer and I feel so grateful I got to see him perform.
Check out Rosie Sauvageau’s CD Release Show (see poster)
Fusion & Folk 