01Profile
A ROE Photo
ROE
Musician — Derry
03Interview
Name, where are you from?
My name is ROE and I’m from Derry, Northern Ireland.
Describe your style in three words?
'90s, minimal, dungarees
What’s the best gig you’ve ever been to?
Snow Patrol’s Ward Park 3 in Bangor this year was amazing. It was a massive celebration of all the talent NI has to offer and it felt really special just to be there.
If you could be on the line up with any two bands in history?
Two Door Cinema Club because I’m a massive fan of theirs. Christina and the Queens because of how powerful their music is, it would be an honour to be a part of a lineup like that.
Which Subcultures have influenced you?
LGBTQ+ and Abortion Rights culture has influenced me a whole lot in the past few years. It’s no secret that Northern Ireland has been fighting for gay marriage and abortion rights for some time now and having grown up through these issues it’s taught me to be more aware of my political surroundings and to fight for what I believe in.
If you could spend an hour with anyone from history?
Robin Williams was a massive part of my childhood, I think it just would have been so cool to meet him.
Of all the venues you’ve been to, which is your favourite?
Whelan’s in Dublin is one of my all-time favourite venues. The last show I did in there was my first ever headline and the feeling in the room was so electric, I love playing there because it’s intimate and the crowd is always amazing.
Your greatest unsung hero or heroine in music?
My best friend/manager Liam is one of the most hardworking, thoughtful people I know. When I started off in music I knew I wanted to be independent and we both had the same vision. Everything that I’ve accomplished so far has been down to our little team and I think that he deserves a whole lot of recognition for what he does.
ROE is 20-year-old multi-instrumentalist from Derry, Roisin Donald. Laying down her unique brand of self-styled “Grumpy Electro Pop”, she has been blazing a trail for young female indie artists across Ireland, UK, Europe and beyond. Releasing independently through hometown label Fictive Kin Re.
ROE kicked off 2019 being featured on BBC Radio 1's “Introducing Tips for 2019” by Huw Stephens and included in RTE2FMs “Rising” list.
02Playlist
04Playlist Notes
The first track you played on repeat?
'Still' - Daughter
One of the first gigs I went to was Other Voices here in Derry and Daughter we’re playing. They put on a great show and I couldn’t stop listening to this song afterwards.
A song that defines the teenage you?
'Surprise Yourself' - Jack Garratt
When I realised that I wanted to be a musician, I had to decide how I wanted to go about the live side of things. I eventually started listening to Jack Garratt, I fell in love with his music and his setup really made me think about my own. I loved the idea of playing everything myself on stage.
One record you would keep forever?
'Songs in the Key of Life' - Stevie Wonder
This album is magical and every time I listen to it the songs inspire me.
A song lyric that has inspired you?
"I've looked at life from both sides now
From win and lose and still somehow
It's life's illusions I recall
I really don't know life at all"
- 'Both Sides Now', Joni Mitchell.
Joni Mitchell is an incredible storyteller and the way that she writes inspired me to be so transparent with my writing and to find the confidence to write about matters that are close to my heart.
A song you wished you had written?
'Bitches Broken Hearts' - Billie Eilish
Lyrically and sonically this song is so sick.
Best song to turn up loud?
'Juice' - Lizzo
It’s just such a feel-good song and I love it.
A song people wouldn’t expect you to like?
'Dean Town' - Vulfpeck
The song to get you straight on the dance floor?
'Brown Eyed Lover' - Allen Stone
It’s such a jam.
Best song to end an all-nighter?
'Wish You Were Here' - Pink Floyd
I think it’s the ultimate end of night, shout it out loud song.
Any new bands you are into at the moment?
Stacks of them! Angie McMahon, Big Thief, Zuzu, Orla Gartland, Soccer Mommy, Tebi Rex just to name a few.
03Interview
Name, where are you from?
My name is ROE and I’m from Derry, Northern Ireland.
Describe your style in three words?
'90s, minimal, dungarees
What’s the best gig you’ve ever been to?
Snow Patrol’s Ward Park 3 in Bangor this year was amazing. It was a massive celebration of all the talent NI has to offer and it felt really special just to be there.
If you could be on the line up with any two bands in history?
Two Door Cinema Club because I’m a massive fan of theirs. Christina and the Queens because of how powerful their music is, it would be an honour to be a part of a lineup like that.
Which Subcultures have influenced you?
LGBTQ+ and Abortion Rights culture has influenced me a whole lot in the past few years. It’s no secret that Northern Ireland has been fighting for gay marriage and abortion rights for some time now and having grown up through these issues it’s taught me to be more aware of my political surroundings and to fight for what I believe in.
If you could spend an hour with anyone from history?
Robin Williams was a massive part of my childhood, I think it just would have been so cool to meet him.
Of all the venues you’ve been to, which is your favourite?
Whelan’s in Dublin is one of my all-time favourite venues. The last show I did in there was my first ever headline and the feeling in the room was so electric, I love playing there because it’s intimate and the crowd is always amazing.
Your greatest unsung hero or heroine in music?
My best friend/manager Liam is one of the most hardworking, thoughtful people I know. When I started off in music I knew I wanted to be independent and we both had the same vision. Everything that I’ve accomplished so far has been down to our little team and I think that he deserves a whole lot of recognition for what he does.
ROE is 20-year-old multi-instrumentalist from Derry, Roisin Donald. Laying down her unique brand of self-styled “Grumpy Electro Pop”, she has been blazing a trail for young female indie artists across Ireland, UK, Europe and beyond. Releasing independently through hometown label Fictive Kin Re.
ROE kicked off 2019 being featured on BBC Radio 1's “Introducing Tips for 2019” by Huw Stephens and included in RTE2FMs “Rising” list.
04Playlist Notes
The first track you played on repeat?
'Still' - Daughter
One of the first gigs I went to was Other Voices here in Derry and Daughter we’re playing. They put on a great show and I couldn’t stop listening to this song afterwards.
A song that defines the teenage you?
'Surprise Yourself' - Jack Garratt
When I realised that I wanted to be a musician, I had to decide how I wanted to go about the live side of things. I eventually started listening to Jack Garratt, I fell in love with his music and his setup really made me think about my own. I loved the idea of playing everything myself on stage.
One record you would keep forever?
'Songs in the Key of Life' - Stevie Wonder
This album is magical and every time I listen to it the songs inspire me.
A song lyric that has inspired you?
"I've looked at life from both sides now
From win and lose and still somehow
It's life's illusions I recall
I really don't know life at all"
- 'Both Sides Now', Joni Mitchell.
Joni Mitchell is an incredible storyteller and the way that she writes inspired me to be so transparent with my writing and to find the confidence to write about matters that are close to my heart.
A song you wished you had written?
'Bitches Broken Hearts' - Billie Eilish
Lyrically and sonically this song is so sick.
Best song to turn up loud?
'Juice' - Lizzo
It’s just such a feel-good song and I love it.
A song people wouldn’t expect you to like?
'Dean Town' - Vulfpeck
The song to get you straight on the dance floor?
'Brown Eyed Lover' - Allen Stone
It’s such a jam.
Best song to end an all-nighter?
'Wish You Were Here' - Pink Floyd
I think it’s the ultimate end of night, shout it out loud song.
Any new bands you are into at the moment?
Stacks of them! Angie McMahon, Big Thief, Zuzu, Orla Gartland, Soccer Mommy, Tebi Rex just to name a few.