COVER FEATURES

"Rising Star: An Interview with Candian Singer "APHROSE" on Her Music Journey and the Success of Roses" 

Introducing APHROSE, a powerhouse in the Neo-Soul and R&B scene, hailing from Toronto with roots in Canada and Trinidad and Tobago. As an independent artist signed to the UK-based label LRK, APHROSE has captivated listeners with her smooth vocals and heartfelt lyrics, earning the prestigious RnB Canada Album/EP of the Year award. Her latest album, Roses, is a testament to her artistry, blending soulful melodies with rich storytelling. I had the opportunity to interview APHROSE about her music journey, and this is what she shared with me. 

INTERVIEW BY: GINA SEDMAN, WRITER/JOURNALIST & HEAD EDITOR 

Hi, how are you? I'm fine. How are you doing?   

I'm wonderful! Thank you, Joanna. I'm excited about chatting with you today! Before we dive in, please share a bit about yourself for those who may not yet know your astonishing voice and fabulous music. Let's start with your roots—where did you grow up, and where do you call home now? Sure, I'm from Toronto, Canada and I still live here. I was born and raised here. 

Awesome! In 2019, I got a chance to go to Vancouver, which was beautiful. I stayed at the Pan Pacific Hotel, and it was amazing! I have to tell you; your country is absolutely breathtaking! It's so beautiful out there! It really is. I'm really happy that you had a great experience. 

Absolutely! Your artistic name is incredibly beautiful and distinctive, prompting me to ask: What inspired you to choose the name "Aphrose"? My stage name is "Aphrose," derived from my mother's birth name, but my real name is Joanna. 

The name "Aphrose" is as lovely as it is meaningful, and much of my work pays tribute to my heritage, my origins, and the powerful women who have influenced me. I've always loved my mom's birth name, "Aphrose." The reason why I say her birth name is because she ended up changing her name when my grandmother converted to Christianity, so everyone ended up getting anglicized names. Even though "Aphrose" is the name on my mom's birth certificate, and some people still know her by it, she still uses her English name. So, I wanted to reclaim that name in my artistry and pay homage to this remarkable woman and the strong women in my life. I think the name has taken on a life of its own. 

Absolutely. So now you're saying your heritage—does your mom have British heritage? No, actually, both of my parents are from Trinidad and Tobago. 

Awesome. Now, let's discuss your musical roots and talk about the point in your life where you fell in love with music. What was it about music that drew you in? Please take me back to the first time that beautiful sound came out of your mouth. For me, it was lifelong. Music was always around when I was growing up, and I attribute a lot of my musical inspirations to my parents, specifically my dad. 

A lot of music was played in our household—soul greats like Stevie Wonder, Michael Jackson, The Jackson 5, Al Green, Aretha Franklin, and gospel music like Mahalia Jackson.  

They also played music from Trinidad, such as Soca, Calypso, Chutney, and even Bollywood soundtracks, along with country music. My parents were really into country, too, so a wide variety of music was always played.  

Being around music and hearing it all the time inspired me. I realized I wanted to sing from a very young age. I was around five when I sang "Happy Birthday" to my grandma at church. That was my first performance.  

Ever since then, whenever anyone asked me what I wanted to be when I grew up, I would always say I wanted to be a singer. Music has always been such an integral part of me and my identity. I started young, and here we are—it's been a lifelong investment in music. 

Awesome. So, if you could take a little of all the influences you grew up with—people, genres—would you say that created your sound today? Or how would you describe your style to those who aren't familiar with it? Sure, I borrow from the old-school sound of soul music from the '70s, but I don't really consider myself super retro. Hip-hop and 90s/early 2000s R&B also inspire me. My sound is an amalgamation of those three styles—hip-hop production from the '90s/2000s meets R&B meets '70s soul. It's a mix of these influences, and I find it hard sometimes to categorize myself.  

For instance, the "Roses" album touches on many styles, but the common denominator is the powerful vocals. My vocals are stylized more in that '70s soul style, whereas I don't tend to vocalize in the modern R&B way. So, while I love modern R&B, I don't fit neatly into that style. 

And that is what I love about you, your uniqueness. So, how many projects do you have out to date? I have two full-length albums. My first, "Element," was released in 2019. It was my first experiment into what the “Aphrose” sound would be. I was still finding my footing then, so it was a little rough around the edges.  

My second album, "Roses," was released in October 2023, and it's more cohesive in terms of the sounds I bring to the table. I have two albums out right now, plus a 45 that was released through a record label in the UK. 

What a blessing! Can you tell everyone what that record label is? Yes, it's a UK label called LRK Records, an independent soul, funk, and R&B label. 

I’ve got a fantastic distribution deal with them—they pressed vinyl for my LP and a 45. They're responsible for me even talking to you today and for getting my sound across the Atlantic to the UK and Europe. It's been very beneficial because, weirdly enough, I feel like my sound has been embraced more warmly in the UK and Europe than it has here in Canada. 

Awesome! I'm so happy that your music is received well in those markets. Now, with every project you do, you need to get something off your chest as an artist. You're not just a vocalist but also a poet, and everyone has something to say. What did you want to say to your audience with your current album, "Roses"? Writing "Roses" was crazy because I became a first-time mom in 2020. 

Congratulations! Welcome to the mommy club. Thank you! I just dropped my daughter off for her first day of kindergarten today, and there were tears. 

Aww, how adorable. I know how that feels. When my son was four and in preschool, I remember dropping him off, and he would run to the window, plaster himself against it, crying and screaming. It was unbearable to see him like that. I had to try not to look. (Laughs) Oh no! Yeah, that's why I don't have makeup now—there were tears. 

I hear you, Joanna. (Laughs) Oh yes. But, regarding your question, in 2020, I gave birth to my daughter during the pandemic lockdown. Writing this album took two years because I was a new mom, and we were in a pandemic. There were so many things happening, like the George Floyd murder. It felt like the entire world was on fire, and everything felt so heavy.  There was a whole social justice movement, and it was hard not being able to connect with the community. So, I turned to writing, which has always been my outlet.The songs on the album were influenced by everything I was going through—my relationships, my personal growth as a new mom, and the state of the world. One song that's very close to me is "Weapons," which I wrote during the protests surrounding the George Floyd murder. It felt like it brought out a lot of ugliness, but it also built community and ignited a fight for justice. 

Absolutely! It's truly wonderful. Music has drifted away from its artistic roots in many ways. I often remind people that singers are indeed artists, which is evident in every detail—their messages, vocal qualities, little flaws, and evolution in music. All of these elements contribute to the essence of artistry. In today's social media-driven world, there's a tendency to seek perfection, but the truth is that humans are inherently imperfect. Our imperfections are what make us unique. I hope that artists, in particular, can embrace their individuality and feel comfortable with it. They should share their authentic experiences, expressing, "This is my current musical journey, and I'm evolving." That's the essence of artistry, and I believe that's your strength—you offer your distinct voice and creativity. I admire you for not conforming to the mainstream and for embracing your unique artistic identity. Oh man, wow. You're speaking so much positivity over my art! Thank you so much. I really appreciate those words. 

You are so welcome! We need platforms that allow us to express ourselves, right? So, tell me, have you learned to play any instruments? Is there something you've always wanted to learn but haven't yet? I do! I play keys. It was actually one of the first instruments I learned because my parents put me in piano lessons when I was six. I wish I could say I'm amazing at it, but I'm just decent—enough to write music and accompany myself or others. I also teach voice, so it helps with that. 

That's awesome! Have you ever wanted to learn another instrument? I would love to learn to play the guitar, but for some reason, I just can't get the hang of it. 

You should! I'm sure you'll be great at it. So, let's switch gears and talk about your album. Are there any musicians you'd like to credit, and who have you collaborated with? Oh, absolutely. There are so many incredible musicians and producers on the album. I work with a collective called Safespaceship Music, which includes my producer Scott McCannell, who also plays bass, Ben MacDonald on keys and sax, and Chino de Villa, who plays drums, bass, and percussion on some tracks. They were the core of the album's production. 

For the song "Weapons," the producer was Adrian Hogan, who also played keys. And when you listen to the album, you'll hear a lot of background vocals—I arranged most of those myself. But for "Weapons," "Roses," and the final track, "ZAG," I worked with my friend Navon Sinclair, an amazing vocal arranger who has worked with artists like Daniel Caesar and Loony. He helped with the background vocal arrangements on those tracks. 

The singers featured on the album are phenomenal in their own right— Kyla Charter, Claire Davis (who is also my labelmate), Lydia Persaud, and Marla Walters. It was a true collaboration, and I'm really proud of what we created together. 

That's amazing! It's so cool to work with such a diverse group of musicians. The more diversity you have, the more people you can reach with your music. Different styles and tones resonate with various audiences, and it's an intelligent way to make your music accessible to a broader range of listeners. So, about the "Roses" album—where can people find it? It's available on all digital platforms, like Apple Music, Spotify, and Deezer—pretty much anywhere you stream music. Just search for "Aphrose," and you'll find "Roses." 

I also have a limited run of vinyl. You can get it in North America and Canada on my Shopify page. If you're in the UK or Europe, the best way to get it is through my label LRK Records on Bandcamp. They also released a limited edition 45 of two of my singles, "YaYa" and "Good Love," which are also available through LRK. 

That's so cool that your music is available on vinyl! Where can people see you perform live? Right now, I'm mainly doing shows in Canada. For updates, you can check out my website, www.aphrose.com, or my Instagram page, www.instagram.com/aphrosemusic. I have a showcase coming up on September 28th at the Global Toronto festival, and I'm doing a West Coast tour in Vancouver on October 4th and 5th. 

I'll also be performing at the Come Together festival in Toronto in November. All of the dates will be updated on my socials. But I really want to get back to the UK! 

That sounds fantastic! One last thing—do you have any words of wisdom for up-and-coming artists? I always tell my primarily college-aged students that slow and steady wins the race. Art isn't a race to the finish line—it's about expression, feelings, and experiences. We live in such a fast-paced world, especially in the music industry, where everyone is focused on content and the next big thing. But it's important to remember that your art isn't going anywhere. 

There's only a rush if you put that pressure on yourself. Sometimes, it's good to let the art develop and evolve naturally. You'll get to where you need to go, and your music will reach the right people. You don't need to appeal to the masses, and that's okay. Trust your art and message, and the right audience will find you. 

That's beautiful advice. I pray that God will continue to bless your work and guide you according to His will for your life. May He protect you and your wonderful family and surround you with people who will support and uplift you. I'm so incredibly proud of everything you've accomplished, and I'm rooting for you. You have so much success ahead of you, and I can't wait to see it all unfold. 

Thank you, Gina. 

You're welcome. God bless you!