Melissa Rose is a gifted singer-songwriter and producer who blends elements of folk, shoe-gaze, and new wave pop to create dreamy, mesmerising anthems. She is also the founder of Sunlight Sessions, a live acoustic showcase that highlights the best of grassroots music along the South Coast. Here, Melissa shares her love for live music and her mission to advocate for greater representation of women in the music industry.

Hi Melissa! Can you give us a short introduction about yourself as a solo artist?

Hello and thank you for the opportunity! I'm Melissa, a producer and musician who takes a hands-on approach to my craft. My music is a fusion of indie-pop, folk, and shoe-gaze, with a focus on spreading positive vibes and encouraging introspection through my lyrics. I strive to create organic and dreamy production styles that offer comfort and relatability to my listeners.

Over the past year, I've made a concerted effort to build my confidence and hone my skills by collaborating with others and putting myself out there to share my music with the world.

What inspired you growing up?

I have always felt drawn to music, and it has become an integral part of my identity. Singing has always been a source of comfort and freedom for me, and I have never given up on my passion.

Throughout college, I developed a love for music technology and the limitless potential it offers for creating music and sounds. This led me to pursue a degree in Music Production at Bournemouth University.

Despite my passion for music, I have never had a role model in the industry. I am inspired by many talented artists, but I believe a role model should be someone you can relate to and strive to emulate. Unfortunately, there is a significant lack of female representation in music, especially in technical roles. This disparity is a major concern for me and many other female musicians, and I hope to make a change for future generations of women in the music industry.

What is it about live music that is so important to you?

It’s probably one of my favourite things to do. No matter if it's a big event or a small show, the unpredictability and excitement of live music always keeps me engaged. I particularly enjoy smaller shows where I can interact with artists and experience unique performances every time. Not only is it a great way to discover new music, but it's also an opportunity to support and uplift talented individuals who may not have a large audience. It's important to showcase and amplify unheard voices in the music industry, and attending live music events is a meaningful way to do so.

Can you tell us a little more about Sunlight Sessions?

Sunlight Sessions is a platform for showcasing emerging musicians, both online and in-person. The sessions take place at the Midday Slow Living Store in Southbourne, but are independently organised and run by me.

I started Sunlight Sessions out of my passion for recording and producing music, as well as a desire to expand the local live music scene and provide a unique experience. I am drawn to productions that capture the raw, intimate atmosphere of a live performance, and I believe that there is something inherently beautiful and human about this type of music. That's why I created Sunlight Sessions - to offer an intimate and delicate sound that makes you feel like you're right in the room with the artist.

Each session is filmed by my friend Eddie Suthers, a talented young cinematographer who works to maintain a consistent and visually stunning aesthetic for each video. Eddie and I strive to provide each artist with top-notch audio and video content that can help them boost their careers and gain more recognition for their talent.

I believe that Sunlight Sessions are good for the soul and support the local community, and I hope to spread the word about these unique and special events.

Instagram → @me.lrosee

Melissa Rose

Plan Make Do

Arts University Bournemouth