JOHANNA ROSE is known for their skills on the upright bass and smoky vocals in the Milwaukee-based folk-Americana duo Nickel & Rose. But in Rose’s most recent solo EP, “can’t love you from the ground,” the songwriter picks up a guitar and takes inspiration from a change in scenery – a move to their mother’s land in Vermont. While Rose wrote the songs out-of-state, there are plenty of Milwaukee moments to love, including a handful of collaborations with local musicians.
– Erin Wolf, 88Nine
How has it been moving into the solo realm?
I historically wrote songs with a band in mind [and on a piano]. In 2020, I started playing guitar. I’ve been leaning toward writing more traditional folk tunes that can be fun with a band but still tell a story if they are on their own.
It’s time to pick your Milwaukee favorites for the year!
“Use It Up” is a standout song. What frame of mind were you in when you wrote it?
I was feeling good! There was fresh snow on the ground, I’d just split up a whole bunch of wood and pan-fried some cod and was sitting in front of the fire messing around on the guitar.
What message are you trying to get across in this album?
[This EP] explores the heights and gullies of surviving a disparate late-capitalist world, in arguably one of the most beautiful places on Earth.
The full interview is available at radiomilwaukee.org.
