ROSIE AND ME @ The Hotel Cafe

Rosie and Me performs at The Hotel Cafe.
photo by picksysticks

It takes a lot for me to go out and brave sitting for hours in the L.A. traffic. So when I heard "Arrow of My Ways" from Brazilian band Rosie and Me last month I knew this was one band I didn't want to miss. The song was, for me, a great introduction to this five-piece band from Brazil.

"Arrow of My Ways" starts out with suffering acoustic strums wrapped around vulnerable vocals by lead singer Rosanne Machado. But it's her powerful yet tender lyrics that holds your attention as she sings of pain and being lost, finally finding someone to lift her up: "Like a horse you cannot break / I was restless and astray / I was meant to be alone 'till I met you" she sings on "Arrow of My Ways."

The rest of the album, also title Arrow of My Ways has tones of classic Americana with warm, folk balladry mixed in with tender, pop melodies which makes it more surprising that they hail from southern Brazil. They sound like old souls, sounding much older than they actually are, weather-beaten and lost. But there's much more to them. Drawing inspiration from their culture, Rosie and Me puts a new and refreshing spin on country-pop blending the innocence of She & Him with the soulfulness of Civil Wars. Backing up Rosanne are Ivan Camargo (acoustic guitars), Thomas Kossar (electric guitar), Guilherme Miranda (bass) and Tiago Barbosa (sticks).

Rosie and Me performs at The Hotel Cafe.
photos by picksysticks

Rosie and Me already has a loyal fan base after their 2010 EP Bird and Whale garnered rave reviews worldwide. Now, with the release of their debut album Arrow of My Ways earlier this year, Rosie and Me are sure to expand their following. They recently performed last week at SXSW.

Arrow of My Ways (feat. Greg Thomas) by Rosie and Me