TINA ROSS – ARTIST SHOWCASE AND IN-DEPTH INTERVIEW
By Ralph Beauchamp
Tina Ross is a cinematic singer songwriter whose music feels intimate and personal. Her songs are brilliant jewels that easily balance her warm vocals with her captivating musical arrangements. In addition, Tina Ross is a brilliant songsmith. Her lyrics are vividly alive and full of enchanting intonations. Ross’ melodies float lightly on gossamer wings. They are intoxicating and inviting.
Tina Ross‘ sound is a beautiful hybrid of folk and lush pop with jazz overtones. She creates ethereal landscapes that surrounds the hearts of her listeners. Ross has found that perfect juncture where music and inspiration meet. Her organic orchestrations deliver palettes of emotive warmth with atmospheric textures. What sets Tina Ross apart is her attention to impassioned detail. Every lyric holds meaning which resonates deeply with her audience.
Tina Ross will be dropping a new album later this year entitled Broken Is Beautiful. She is honored to have worked with producer Lorne Entress (Lori McKenna, Ronnie Earl) who she credits with “birthing the album I envisioned.” It was mastered by Grammy nominated engineer, Dan Goodwin. Ross enlisted a bevy of top tier musicians to collaborate with including Duke Levine (Bonnie Raitt), Kevin Barry (Mary Chapin Carpenter), Reed Sutherland and David Limina. Harmonies were supplied by Halley Neal and Sam Robbins. Broken Is Beautifulspotlights Ross’ illustrious songwriting.
Tina Ross will be performing at the Bigger Beast Records / All Boats Rise Entertainment House Concert Series on May 8th at Cantean Coffee and Tea located at 1660 Whitney Ave in Hamden. The show starts at 7pm and there is a low ticket advisory. Tickets are available on the Bigger Beast Records website.
Tina Ross was kind enough to sit with AMP for this in-depth interview.
AMP: When did you realize songwriting was your way of expressing yourself?
TINA: Singing was always my entry into emotional authenticity. I found access to my own emotions as well as how other writers expressed themselves covering songs from all genres. While I dabbled in songwriting throughout the years, and gigged and performed as a singer in a jazz trio, it wasn’t until 2019, when I left my Chiropractic/Nutrition practice, that I discovered that I could dig even deeper, write songs myself, learn to write them in an accessible way and then have a shared experience with others and together we could all explore the universal feeling that prompted that song. I so adore the craft of songwriting and am grateful that it has offered an opportunity for connection.
AMP: Do lyrics or melodies come first?
TINA: Initially, always lyrics. Then as I allowed myself to be less in my head and more in my emotion, now it is both. I sit down and noodle on the guitar, piano or ukulele and the music takes me to a feeling that I try to capture in words. Melody lifts the meaning so much more than the written word. Often, I’m not sure what the song is about until I’m deep in the process. I free-write most mornings to help myself access my creative brain. Often ideas for songs come from those free writes.
AMP: How would you describe your sound to someone who never heard your music?
TINA: My songs live somewhere in the contemporary folk/jazz/blues/pop/Americana world, but they’re not all hushed and introspective. There’s a mix of heart and lift to them. Some moments that lean in close, and others that open up and carry a bit more energy. I tend to write from an honest, personal place, so the stories matter a lot to me, but I also want the music to feel alive in the room, not just reflective. Hopefully it’s the kind of set where you can listen closely to the lyrics and still find yourself tapping along. It’s all about the shared experience.
AMP: Which artists of genres have influenced you the most?
TINA: My influences are wide; the showtunes my mother sang, the Frank Sinatra and Tony Bennet my father loved, the Bonnie Raitt that my sister introduced me to, the jazz I discovered as a jazz DJ in college, and the singer songwriters of the 60/70s, Joni, Dan Fogelberg, CSNY, Billy Joel. I’m also influenced by the newer contemporary singer songwriters who I write with, or meet with to dig into the craft of songwriting. On a larger scale, I am loving I’m With Her, for their innovative writing and harmonies, Spencer LaJoye for their fearlessness, melody exploration and emotional honesty. I love songs that are cinematic for me, not in a sweeping way, quietly cinematic.
AMP: Is there a song you’ve written that feels especially personal or meaningful and why?
TINA: Songs often have their own, hidden meaning that can be revealed later. With “Blue Million Miles”, on my upcoming album, the full extent of a buried realization came through while writing it. I found it was an opportunity to let go of something I’d been holding onto, some resentment for someone’s behavior, which I truly and deeply realized while letting the song unfold, that they did the best that they could. It was a release for me.
AMP: How does performing live compare to writing and recording for you?
TINA: Performing live allows all of the aspects of the writing and recording to live and breath in the moment. There is a long process involved with both the writing and recording of a song. With writing and recording we are editing, tweaking, listening, urging the song to come out and be as much of its true self as possible. And then there’s the live version. The one where I am immersed in my surroundings, responding to the audience, leaning in on one aspect of the song, discovering it’s nuances. It’s a truly in-the-moment live experience of a song that was once on a two- dimensional page coming to life. There is nothing like a live performance.
AMP: What do you hope listeners feel or take away from your music?
TINA: I hope the listener feels at home, feeling absorbed and uplifted to be their authentic selves. I am on a journey to accept all of the aspects of life and experience; from the silly to the profound and let it be a part of my expression in my music. It’s all ok, all of it.
AMP: How do you balance the artistic side of music with the business side?
TINA: I’m not sure I do balance it. It’s a seesaw; one or the other takes priority at different times. Honestly, I would love to have someone help me with booking.
AMP: What keeps you motivated during tough times creativity or professionally?
TINA: Honestly, just showing up and doing the work. Even on the days it feels hard, I remind myself that every song is a part of getting a little closer to where I want to be; to continue to grow as a writer whose songs connect with people and finding more places where my songs can land. Another big source of inspiration in my music and life is my husband, Andy. He encourages me all the time. I am so fortunate.
AMP: Where do you see yourself musically in the next few years?
TINA: I’d love to push myself, taking more chances creatively, keep building community around my music, whether through shows or collaborations, and performing a deeper catalog of relatable songs to larger audiences. At the end of the day, just getting to live a creative life and share it with others feels pretty special.
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