#IMMusicMonday: Karolina Rose

Introducing Karolina Rose, the Wharton School grad who traded in Wall Street for the indie pop star life.

Here’s what happened when she spoke to IndustryMe about her new EP INVICTA and more.

Hi Karolina, for those who haven’t come across your music before how would you describe your sound?

Some life philosophizing mixed with synths

If there’s one song from your discography that new listeners should check it out, which would you recommend?

Crystal Gem

You gave up your job on Wall Street to follow your dreams. Describe the thought process behind making that decision?

It was like a new switch turned on in my brain and there was no off button. My thoughts became entirely consumed by music. Initially, it was gradual, and then, it felt as if all of the sudden I just wasn’t the same person anymore.

Was there ever a point where you doubted if you made the right decision and how did you get past that?

I get past it by not thinking of it as a decision, but rather something I felt I had to do. I tune in and listen, minus the noise. I’ve created a new norm for myself in terms of my day-to-day and it’ll continue to evolve.

Let’s get into your new music. If you had to sum up your new EP in 3 words what would they be and why?

I’d be much more curious to hear your three words upon listening to it. Let me know! I guess if I have to you can say introduction- it’s my musical debut in album form, electrorock – it bends toward both genres, while still being very much pop, and strength – because I feel like I went through hell & some heaven to get here. Everyday it was doing something I’ve never done before. Your natural inclinations help a lot, but you just have to go through it and do the best you can.

Which was the hardest song to write and why?

The writing is not the hard part. I couldn’t say which one took the longest to write, but I remember distinctly pleasantly agonizing upon a few lines in “Downhill”. I have a lot of variations on that one somewhere in my notes.

You worked with producer Andros Rodriguez who has done work with Shakira & Florence + The Machine, what was that experience like?

Working with Andros sort of felt like my eyes were opening wide to a moment I envisioned up to that point. I think he kept me on my toes and I am grateful for that journey together. He helped work with me to take these songs I had written on acoustic guitar and create a soundscape around them.

If the fans take away one from the EP, what do you hope it will be?

My new logo released with Invicta also means a lot to me, the album and where I’m headed. The arrow represents looking forward. It’s pointing up and onwards toward dreams. People can absolutely attain the ideal in their head if they move in that magnetic direction. It’s also a Sagittarius thing. The circle is a symbol of unity. We are truly all one in this human experience. The geometric rose represents feminine energy and sensuality. It’s being in tune with our emotions and accepting ourselves for all that we feel.

Who is on your playlist right now?

dark dreamy pop stuff: https://open.spotify.com/user/karolinarose/playlist/0mPF7ubTjHGz73Tm9OR9u3?si=S9PD3rafTZ2S9mO6qFkEiQ

stuff that makes me feel alive: https://open.spotify.com/user/karolinarose/playlist/73V7WU1AHIXCtf60R48k1Q?si=iNd7FCO2RcW06RVVWapCyQ

If you could perform at any venue in world where would it be and why?

I’m just grateful to sing and that people respond to it. With the dramatic change I’ve made, I already feel like I’ve “made it” just that I’m doing what I craved & feared to do. I’d be lying if I said I had some dream venue to play. It doesn’t matter to me. I like connecting with people. I do like playing for big crowds though, haha. I hope for more of that in my future.

What can we expect from you in 2019?

Hoping to roll out moving images of Invicta soon. I’m planning out my visuals for EP #2 as well. No dates set for now. As soon as it’s ready.

Any final shoutouts or plugs?

Shoutout to my team- Laura Escalante and Alizarin Waissberg- who were both instrumental in bringing Invicta to the visual life that you see.