**NEW SONG** "The Other Woman" - Written by Roxanne Ford, piano by Roxanne Ford, rest of the music created by Roxanne Ford on the music program Reason. Recorded at Branko Pezo's home studio.
I am a 20year old singer/songwriter from Perth, currently just moved back to my beautiful home, the most isolated city in the world.
I lived over east for awhile doing a 'Popular Music Performance' course, met some interesting people, made some good friends i will keep.
I'm sure i will be back and forth between the two states in the future. I'm a constant traveller anyway, and get used to hopping on a plane at the drop of a hat.
My favourite thing about W.A is seeing the sunset over the beach. I really missed that while i was away. Something so simple. Yet oh so missable.
Whenever i get stressed or need a break, i drive to the ocean and sit in my car listening to the waves.
Ok, that may be a teeny white lie cos i don't get to do this as often as i like. . . but it is the most ideal environment to me when i need a break.
I was born and brought up in the Middle East in a place called Dubai. I was a normal kid who grew up doing normal things.
When i was 7years old i convinced my Mum to let me take up piano lessons after i saw an Ad in the supermarket. My first teacher was a 13 year old girl named Helene who lived up the road from us and once i'd reached an advanced level, she passed me onto her piano teacher Bei. I loved piano and kept at it for years. By the time i was 13 i had completed up to Grade 5 with the Trinity Board, and then my family moved to Perth, Australia and it threw me for a loop. I didn't continue my piano lessons and looking back, i really wished i did. I have recently got back into though and to this day the piano remains my favourite instrument. As well as acoustic guitar.
With the lack of piano playing in my early teens, my love for singing developed to wanting to record my own songs. I made my first demo at 14 and haven't stopped since. It was at my first highschool in Perth where i joined the choir at the age of 14. I sang all the time so didn't really think of it as 'extra training' for my voice or anything. My reasoning for joining was simply because my good friend Karli was in it and the girls were going on an overseas trip to enter a huge competition. Visiting Vienna, Paris and England with one of your best mates, whilst getting to sing everyday, was very appealing. So i auditioned and was stoked to be accepted. As it would be though, me and Karli ended up having a huge fight and didn't talk the whole trip but my perspective on singing took a huge turn. I couldn't think of anything cooler than travelling round the world, singing. How sweet would a job like this be? And so i decided then and there it was *definitely* what i wanted to pursue.
I enjoy my alone time. In the sense that i love listening to nothing but the private thoughts in my head.
When i'm in my weird creative headspace, it sort of feels like clockwork ticking over, figuring out situations and people in my life.
If i'm in that mindset, i write best. Writing is one of the most natural things for me. And tends to happen anywhere. If i can't find a pen or paper when i'm like that, it drives me crazy.
I'd go loopy if i had no way of releasing my emotions through writing or music. It is my therapy.
As far as the music industry goes, i think it's full of wankers.
And i want in.
Because amongst the ego and the colourful empty words, there lies crazy beautiful talent and the sheer love for creating music to share with whomever will listen. I believe these qualities belong to only a minority of musicians in the mainstream, the indie world, and the people you know and love who have musical hearts.
Someone clever once told me that if you make the decision to have music as your career, you have to stick by that and not have a back-up plan. You will eventually get somewhere. Persistance beats resistance.
I would choose the long, hard route to "musical success" over any of those crappy tv shows anyday.
My reasoning? I auditioned for popstars once when i was 15. All i got was a lousy t-shirt. . . as well as pins and needles in my foot from sitting on it for too long. I remember thinking "this sucks. . who would do this?" before realising potentially someone just like me. . .
I also auditioned for Australian Idol once (when i was 15 turning 16) and waited in that line for 9 hours, only to be given advice i already knew. From a bunch of TV producers. So i did the whole 'rock star' tantrum thing and threw a chair across the room.
Not really.
I walked out politely and quietly and knew in my heart the right way to forge my path in the music world. I wish someone had told me then that you don't need a quick ticket to success. Or that you don't need to do your head in trying to fit into someone's idea of what a "popstar" is.
But lessons learned on your own are the only ones to live by.
And having something different to offer the music world is more exciting.
I write about all relationships, all the kinds you can have, and i try to make my songs specific to an experience.
I don't mind having down days because they remind me i feel.
I think life is beautiful and have enjoyed all the wonderful things it's thrown me so far. I feel very lucky sometimes.
I believe in karma. I have the word tattooed on my wrist as a reminder. It rings true for everything i have ever done in my life.
So that's it really.
I sing.
I write all my own songs.
I play piano.
and cry
and laugh
and love everyone dear to my heart to bits. (They all know who they are)
I love hearing back from people who tell me one of my songs has meant something to them in some way. Thankyou. And thanks for stopping by my page. I appreciate any comments/ messages/ blog readers (subscribe to my blog :) ).
If you are new to my page please request my friendship. It always baffles me when bands have a zillion friends and not that many plays for their songs.
I will never be one of those 'bands' who go round requesting heaps of friends. It takes too long, I'm too lazy and would rather people were on my page because they like my music.
Welcome to a small part of my music world. I am what i am and my music is me.
Enjoy xxx
