Rose Cousins returns to the UK next month on the tail of a new single, a cover of Prince’s I would die 4 U, and starts her tour at the Voodoo Rooms on 9th October.
The single features England’s own Bear’s Den and Dutch artist Christof van der Ven, who were serendipitously in Toronto on a day off from tour while Rose was in studio making her upcoming record.
Rose said: “Prince died on my birthday. He was bigger than life and yet so utterly, humanly vulnerable. Everyone has their own relationship with his music; I find his story and talent fascinating and his death tragic.
“This particular song fits the theme of the record so well and when I knew the boys were in town I could hear us all singing it. We had no idea we’d all be in town at the same time until two nights before when I was at their show in Boston. I’m such a fan of these guys and I’m so pleased we got to collaborate again.”
Originally from Prince Edward Island, Rose Cousins lives in Halifax, NS, Canada when she’s not touring internationally. Fueled by collaboration she deeply values being part of multiple music communities.
In addition to touring, she regularly travels to Nashville, Los Angeles, Toronto to write with other artists and for film and television. An avid photographer herself, Rose has become known for artistic collaborations with filmmakers, photographers, painters, and other diverse artists.
Her album artwork features her own photography, all videos associated with Natural Conclusion were created by East Coast filmmakers, including one she made herself and her merchandise includes original paintings by friend and Toronto artist, Jamie Ashforth.
Rose continued: “Serendipity brought myself, Andrew, Kevin (Bear’s Den) and Christof van der Ven together in Toronto, them on a day off from tour and me in the city recording. We realized the potential magical collision during an aftershow hang in Boston a couple day prior.
I was reminded of this song when it came on at the end of a movie I watched within days of recording it. I could hear us all singing it.
“The track is really a result of the collaborative spirit which drives just about everything I do. It was recorded in Toronto at Union Sound Company by Chris Stringer. Christof van der Ven, an amazing artist himself, plays in Bear’s Den and sings the highest part on this track, Andrew Davie takes the middle and Kevin Jones, the low, along with playing the guitar part.
“I love how simple the track is and how maybe it sheds light on the song from a different angle. So wonderful to just have the vocals be the highlight of the track.
“Community and connection are my favourite things about being a songwriter and performer and I love that Bear’s Den and I finally got to make something together after hitting it off at the Edmonton Folk Festival in 2014. Christof and I played a show together in London, UK in 2012. I love how connections circle back around. I hope the track lets people hear this amazing song again for the first time and that they dig deeper into our respective catalogues while revisiting their favourite Prince tracks. (In 2020 I’ll release a full project called Bravado. This track fits perfectly within that theme. )
09th Oct. Voodoo Rooms, Edinburth.
10th Oct. Kitchen Garden Café, Birmingham.
11th Oct. St Pancras Old Church, London.
13th Oct. The Stables, Milton Keynes.
15th Oct. Oporto, Leeds.
16th Oct. The Cluny 2, Newcastle.
17th Oct. St Mary’s Creative Space, Chester.
18th Oct. Crofters Rights, Bristol
20th Oct. The Railway Inn Bar, Winchester.
John graduated from Telford College in 2010 with an HNC in Practical Journalism and since then he worked for the North Edinburgh News, The Southern Reporter, the Irish News Review and The Edinburgh Reporter. In addition he has been published in the Edinburgh Evening News and the Hibernian FC Programme.
