Standout British singer/songwriter Rose Betts wears her heart on her sleeve on her triumphant debut full-length album, White Orchids. The album comes just after a massive 2021, which found Rose’s track, “Song to the Siren” featured on Justice League on top of the release of a handful of singles. Now, Rose Betts is making her mark with her debut album, which she wrote and co-produced on her own. The result is an intimately personal yet relatable release that finds her embracing vulnerable songwriting and stepping out of her comfort zone more than ever before.
White Orchids represents a loss of innocence; a moment of pure youth and fragility where her heart was broken. Just as an orchid blooms once before it is usually discarded, it feels as though one can grasp on to youth for merely a fleeting moment. Listen to the album and read what Rose had to say about its creation and her plans for the future below.
Prelude Press: You had an exciting 2021 with the release of a handful of new singles, including “Song to the Siren” which was featured on Justice League, as well as “Recovery” and “Driving Myself Home”. What was the highlight of the past year for you?
Rose Betts: It has been an exciting year! The highlight was probably working on “Song to the Siren”. Of course I’m super proud of my other releases, but landing that job, and then the incredible experience of recording with a full orchestra in such an amazing studio, to the moment I heard it in the film… it was just beyond anything I ever expected to happen, totally magical.
You just kicked off your 2022 with the release of your debut album, White Orchids! What are you excited for fans to hear on the album?
I’m so excited for fans to hear where we’ve taken some of these songs. My previous work has been on a much smaller scale and we went full out with the production on these songs and I just loved it, I got to realize all my dreams for each song.
With it being your debut full-length, did you have any major goals in mind when you first began working on the album?
I wanted the project to feel cohesive but also surprising. The album centers around a particular relationship and time in my life that was extremely potent, and each song explores some aspect of it. This is not a concept album, many of the songs were written very much in their own space, but what connects them all is the universal experience of love, heartbreak, the glorious bloom of youth and then the pain of feeling a beautiful time slipping through your fingers. I suppose I wanted the album to catch these feelings, immortalize them somehow. It’s perhaps a selfish act of trying to hold back time, taste the memory a little longer.
You co-produced and wrote the album all on your own – did you learn anything new or anything about yourself when working on it?
The biggest lesson I learned was the power of vulnerability in songwriting. I used to hide inside songs but writing this album and exploring the themes within it brought me out of this. My song ‘Recovery’ was the turning point. I poured my whole self into that song and found the courage to share it and stand in the pain. There is a cost to this but it feels like the only way to be an artist.
Were there any challenges that you faced when working on the album?
Artistically in the creation of the songs etc the album was a bit of a breeze. Once I’d found my producer (Kevin) and we were so aligned in our vision for the songs it was just great. However logistically/locationally it was hard at times as I was in the UK and he was in LA and the time difference made it hard to keep momentum. Also of course covid came along and robbed everybody of at least a year and a half and having waited so long to find the right producer it was hard at times to believe it would ever come together. But we got there 🙂
You’ve mentioned before that White Orchids is a metaphor for the fragility of innocence. Lyrically, how did you want to touch on this subject? Was there anything in particular that you knew you wanted to discuss in these songs?
I had lots of feelings to work through and explore… so the songs served that impulse more than anything. Some of them were more intentional, and there was something particular I wanted to say/emote like for example Never Good Enough and Ruins… but some were more unconscious… I tried to get out of the way and let the song do the talking… like White Orchids. Recovery and Foolish.
What would you like for fans to take away from White Orchids?
Oh I hope they find themselves in it somewhere. Music for me is a hand coming through the air trying to reach someone… once it’s freed it belongs to the listener and lives with them in a completely unique way, I love the mystery of that. I hope people who listen to White Orchids take it into their lives, and feel less alone.
“I hope people who listen to White Orchids take it into their lives, and feel less alone.”
How do you feel you’ve grown with the writing and recording of the album?
Making this album has had a huge impact on my musical journey and my journey as a songwriter. I finally had the courage to be vulnerable in my songwriting and realize the power of that, and this has changed everything about the way I write and where I’m willing to go in my songs.
With White Orchids out now, what can fans expect next? Do you have any shows lined up?
I have a little southern american tour in May which will be fun, nothing huge, more of an excuse to see a bit more of America. I also have a few other music projects I’m keen to share and a whole bunch of songs that didn’t make it onto the album that are waiting for their moment. Looking forward to the next chapter!
Thank you for taking the time to chat with us! Is there anything else you’d like to add?
Thanks for such interesting questions, feel like I’ve learned more about myself and the album from answering them!
STAY CONNECTED WITH ROSE BETTS: Twitter | Instagram | TikTok | Facebook
STREAM WHITE ORCHIDS HERE