Casa Rosa shares insights into their latest single release ‘Lone rider’, their creative process and hopes for their music, which blends classic styles with modern songwriting to shape the future of music.
Sydney-based brothers Josh and Sam Harper, known as Casa Rosa, have recently dropped their new single, Lone Rider which showcases their unique sound and dedication to experimentation in the alt-indie and country genres.
In the grand tradition of musical siblings who have left an indelible mark on the industry, from the melodious Finn brothers to the rockin’ Young brothers and the soulful Teskey Brothers, Casa Rosa stands proud as a testament to the power of family and musical synergy.
The Harper brothers have earned praise for their raw, emotional, and authentic storytelling, effortlessly blending disparate genres and styles to create a unique sound that sets them apart from their peers. With their signature guitar-driven hooks and velvety smooth vocals, Casa Rosa’s dedication to the foundations of classic songwriting is evident in every note.
In an exclusive interview, Casa Rosa shares insights into their creative process, inspirations, and hopes for their music. From their love of Sydney’s Inner West and the city’s vibrant live music scene to their childhood memories of watching music videos, the brothers’ experiences have all played a role in shaping their music.
As they continue to evolve their sound, Casa Rosa remains committed to blending classic musical styles with modern songwriting and hooks, creating a sound that reflects their passion for music and dedication to pushing boundaries. Ultimately, they hope their music will contribute to the ongoing conversation around cultural themes and shape the future of music for generations to come. Given they follow the ethos of creating music for the love first and foremost, Casa Rosa is assuredly already on a successful path, the rest would just be icing on the cake.
Happy: What are you up to today?
Casa Rosa: Today we are lucky enough to be recording vocals for a new batch of songs in our home studio!
Happy: Tell us about your suburb, what do you love/not love about where you live?
Casa Rosa: We’re living in Sydney’s Inner West at the moment. Lots of live music and pubs/bars make it an inspiring place to be. It’s very different to the suburban Northern Beaches we grew up in, which was good for writing but not so much for performing.
Happy: Describe your average work day.
Casa Rosa: Normally we work our day jobs but ideally we can squeeze in some writing or mixing in the evening or even a gig.
Happy: What about your ultimate day?
Casa Rosa: Our ultimate day is linking up together, starting with a couple of long blacks, then a swim and a Thai lunch special. In the afternoon we love getting into some writing and practising, topping it off with a great gig and making a dent in a keg of beer with our mates.
Happy: How has your dynamic as siblings influenced your music-making process?
Casa Rosa: As siblings, we know that we can be comfortable around each other and trust in each other’s musical ability. We always know we can be our true selves when we are together. We bounce off each other really well having grown up together and being exposed to similar experiences and musical influences.
Happy: Do you find it easier or harder to work with someone who knows you so well?
Casa Rosa: We definitely find it easier to work with each other. We implicitly understand each other’s references and the direction we want to go musically. It’s also much easier critiquing your brother rather than someone you don’t know so well. We can both take criticism from each other without taking it personally or worrying that it could make things awkward.
Happy: Can you talk about any specific moments or experiences that have inspired your music?
Casa Rosa: We have performed together for over a decade. We have many memories and experiences of school concerts, where we cut our teeth as musicians and learnt how to put on a show – even though they were kind of rough back then.
Happy: What role do you think family and community play in shaping your music and career?
Casa Rosa: Family is always a big part of a person’s musical influence. If it weren’t for our parents’ love of music and the music loving/playing friends we grew up with, we wouldn’t be doing what we are today.
Happy: What did you read or watch growing up that fuelled your passion for music?
Casa Rosa: We watched a lot of music videos when we were younger. We would watch the Thriller music video over and over even though it scared the shit out of us. Things like that showed us that music can be heartfelt, but some of the best stuff doesn’t take itself too seriously.
Happy: Can you share some insight into recording Lone Rider? Can you talk about your creative process, from coming up with song ideas to recording and producing your music?
Casa Rosa: Lone Rider was written in one session and was inspired by Sergio Leone movies and Spaghetti Western vibes. It was our first time recording an entire song in the studio. Everything else prior had been recorded at home. We spent two days in A Sharp Studios playing live in the room and experimenting with Western sounds through twelve-string guitars, maracas and other percussion drenched in reverb. We then got our friend Jy Perry Banks (aka Steelin’ Hearts) to play some pedal steel on the track which really brought some cowboy energy.
Happy: How has your music evolved over time, and what do you see as the key themes and ideas that run through your work?
Casa Rosa:We were always subtly influenced by classic blues and country, but we really embraced those sounds after our recent trip to the US. We were inspired by many amazing musicians from Austin and Nashville.
We always try to blend old-school musical styles with modern songwriting and hook-inspired melodies.
Happy: What role do you see music playing in shaping and reflecting the current culture, and how do you hope your music contributes to that conversation?
Casa Rosa: Music will always play a big role in shaping cultural conversations. Music can be at the forefront of cultural change, but it can also keep us connected to our roots. We hope that our music can blend modern ideas and values with styles and themes of the past.
Happy: In the current music industry landscape, where streaming and social media play a huge role in how music is distributed and consumed, how do you navigate the business side of things while staying true to your artistic vision?
Casa Rosa: It’s a difficult environment to navigate, with so much talent out there. It can be tough living in a world where musicians are sometimes judged on their social following instead of the music they create. The important thing is to stay focused on creating songs and content that we love. That’s all that matters hey?
Happy: Looking ahead, what are your plans for the future, both in terms of new music and your overall career trajectory?
Casa Rosa: We really want to record as much good music as possible and play more shows – pretty simple. There’s definitely been a boom in live music in Australia at the moment after being shut down for so long. We’d also love to spread further than Sydney and play some new spots around the country.
Happy: What makes you happy?
Casa Rosa: People singing along to our songs at our shows is a pretty crazy thing that definitely makes us happy. We’re honestly happy just hanging out and playing music together, but if that makes other people happy too… can’t beat that!
Listen to Casa Rosa here.