 Courtesy of the Artist Born and raised in Texas, Amanda Rosser knew from a young age that she wanted to be a singer-songwriter. Now nineteen years old, she recently released her debut single, "Looking For A Man." The young songstress kindly took the time to talk about her roots, the single, empowering young girls and more. Being that your music is new to a lot of people, can you give a little background as to when you started singing, playing guitar and pursuing music? I was born and raised on the outskirts of Houston, where we have a ranch. I started singing in talent shows when I was five and did that through high school. I grew up listening to country music; my mom loved Garth Brooks and my uncle was a huge George Strait fan and I knew that music was something that I wanted to pursue - it’s where my heart is. I learned to play guitar when I was twelve and the songwriting just came after that, which was right around the time Taylor Swift came out. I knew I wanted to be just like her so I started going to songwriting meetings and studying with my vocal coach, Tom McKinney. A year ago I left school and have been pursuing music relentlessly ever since. You mentioned listening to George Strait, Garth, and Taylor. Do you have any other influences either on your writing, playing or singing?
I really love Miranda Lambert and her powerful personality. She doesn’t really apologize for who she is and I can relate to that. Kelsea Ballerini is also an incredible artist. And of course, I am a fan of all of the female powerhouses of the 90’s like Shania Twain, Faith Hill, and Martine McBride. They all shaped who I am as an artist. Recently you released a new single, “Looking For A Man.” Is this your very first single? When I was fourteen, I did a low-budget six-song acoustic recording to hear what I sounded like in the studio, but “Looking For A Man” is my first professional single. I wrote the song with Jeff Pardeau, who also produced the track, and it’s one that came straight from my diary at the time. It's pulled from personal expereince then. So do you think the type of guy you talk about in the song is out there for us women? Oh absolutely, it’s just there are a lot of guys we have to weed through first to have that one lightbulb moment where you know there is something different – that he is a man who will respect you and isn’t going to play games or belittle you. I have gone through a few like that, especially at college. I was in a sorority and just got tired of these random frat guys hitting on me saying, “Let’s get a drink and go back to the frat house.” I’m a person, why would they even think I would do that? Not only that, I wondered if they would want their sister or future daughters to be treated like that. The song was also inspired by a guy I dated who I thought was great, but turned out not to be. He broke up with me by changing our relationship status on social media. That just got me so fired up I had to write about it. I want to use my music to let girls know they are not alone, that many of us are going through the same thing…guys are idiots but we love them anyway (laughing). Inspiring and empowering young girls seems important to you. I work at a church where I mentor middle school and high school girls and I absolutely love it because is so rewarding and inspiring. I want that to come through in my music. I want to be an example to young women as someone that they can not only look up to, but their parents would want them to look up to. Young girls, myself included, can look up to people, like the coolest trendiest stars, but parents might be like, “I am not sure they have the greatest morals.” I want to be a Godly example to young women of what a Godly woman looks like. Young girls today definitely need role models like that. Circling back to the song, you recently released a video for it which straddles the line between a full video and a lyric video. The awesome Kristin Joyner made the video. She asked me if there was a theme or color scheme I wanted and then she ran with it. I wanted it to be empowering and sassy, saying this is who I am this is who I am, and she went above and beyond what I had ever expected. She captured it perfectly! Will this song be on an upcoming EP or LP? My goal is to have an EP out within the year. I am constantly writing, if not a song, I am writing ideas, choruses or verses that I go back to. Do you plan to do a radio tour or play out to support the single? There are a lot of opportunities being spoken about, but not right now. I’m learning so much about the business that I want to be ready when I go to radio. I don’t want to be in any situation I’m not ready for. I do play out though, at cafes around the area, and a brewery that has such a great energy. It’s a lot of fun and so cool to have people come out to see me perform, it’s like I have my own fan base in Houston. That must be really encouraging. Finally, I always like to know – is there one recent release you cannot stop listening to? I absolutely love Florida Georgia Line’s “H.O.L.Y” It is so creative and beautifully written. The Kelsea Ballerini album is so good too – I know the words to every song! She is so classy and puts so much heart into her songs. For more information visit her official website FInd her on Facebook and Twitter
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