If you look up Rowan Drake on Spotify, his bio reads, “I hope my music allows you a brief moment of emotional clarity. A moment to allow the feelings we all keep locked away to breathe in a safe place. It’s okay to let go for a little while.” When the singer-songwriter-producer was 15, his life changed, a serious accident ending his ambitions of becoming a professional snowboarder. However, as Rowan found refuge in songwriting, a new path opened up. He now creates music intended for himself and others to heal and find closure, which is evident on his debut EP, Dear Ella,. The project is an emotional exploration of a relationship that came to a close, with Rowan channeling certain memories or feelings about it into a coherent and impressive body of work. By releasing songs with such honesty, he is able to express anything left unsaid and connect with people out there who may be wanting to do the same. We caught up with Rowan ahead of Dear Ella,’s release, where we discussed how the project began, what it feels like now that it is complete, and ways that fans can get involved in sharing their own stories.
Hi Rowan! Congratulations on your new EP, Dear Ella,. It is an incredible listen, and I am excited to learn more about how this all came together. How long ago did you start working on the songs for it?
The first song that eventually would live on the EP was created on August 1, 2022. It wasn’t until a few months later that it became clear what I was working towards, which led me to begin piecing together songs and creating new songs to fill the holes in this body of work.
When figuring out the final track listing, what were some deciding factors for which songs stayed and which songs were cut?
The filter I used to distinguish what would be on the EP was more a timeline in my relationship. If a song fell in the right place chronologically and aided in telling a complete story, then it was included. Specifically, a song needed to touch on a feeling that occurred in the final months of my relationship or in the first few months after me and Ella ended things.
I read that you made Dear Ella, to preserve the love and the memories that you experienced in the relationship with Ella. Do you think you were able to capture that on the EP? How did you feel before the project compared to after?
I believe if Ella or myself were to listen fully through the project, we would be put right back into that specific chapter of our story. So, in that way, I feel I succeeded. Before the project, I was so wrapped up in the experiences the songs speak about. Now, I’m very much wrapped up in new feelings and experiences. So, in that way nothing has changed. But in other ways, everything has changed. These feelings aren’t just mine anymore. They now exist for the world to consume, reject, love… This is both beautiful and challenging for me.
Is there a track that you favor over the others?
They all have a special place in my heart. “Momentary feelings” and “Haunt Me” have stuck out as the two most honest and pure songs to me. They are both simple at the core and have such an intense ability to bring me right back into the feelings I had when I initially created them.
“Haunt Me” is just so beautiful even though the words cut so deep, and most of the tracks have this vibe. Are you able to record them with a straight face?
Recording a song is such a fundamental part of capturing a song’s essence. Some of the songs were recorded one-on-one with my co-producers, while others were in less intimate settings. In the more crowded rooms, it can be difficult to latch onto a feeling.
“Heartbeat” has a sample in the bridge of a subway train pulling in – it’s a really cool effect that adds some harshness to the track. Do you have a bunch of other samples saved in your phone? If so, what would you say is the most random?
I definitely record natural ambience as often as possible. From birds in a forest, to people yelling at each other. All can be used in one way or another. My strangest is probably a more recent one. I was at a campfire with some family friends, and one friend was reading an old proverb. You can hear the crackling of a fire and the reactions of people as the words are spoken.
Has Ella heard this EP?
Ella has heard it once in full. We listened to it together one night driving in our hometown. After it finished, she said the kindest things, and I could tell she really heard every word. It’s sad, but I rarely get the reaction I’m looking for from the people I create about, and this night was one of the rare times that I couldn’t have asked for a better response from somebody.
Whenever you tease a song on social media, your followers can’t get enough. Is it helpful to have fans chime in before a release through platforms like TikTok, or does it cause more pressure?
I think the new process of teasing music is incredible when it works and very confusing and disheartening when it doesn’t. When you create a song, you pull essence from a past experience, loss, love… Then you go through a somewhat maddening but very healing process of putting that into words, melodies, and sounds. By the time you tease a song, it can very much feel like a part of who you are. So, if that is rejected by the world or algorithms, it can feel like you are being rejected by the world.
You recently launched Dear First Love, a website where anyone can write out their thoughts or feelings and either submit them or destroy them. I love that, and I love what you do to help everyone feel supported. Are there any you have seen so far that have struck you?
That site has become such a beautiful place. I’m so proud and in awe of every person who shared their words there. I certainly hope it helps them in even the smallest of ways, but I also hope they realize the chance those words have to heal someone else. Someone they’ve never and most likely will never meet. I can’t choose a favorite, but I would recommend going through and choosing any at random. It is sure to be beautiful.
What are your plans for the rest of the summer?
My plans are to lay under willow trees by Cayuga Lake. Swim in waterfalls by Cascadilla Gorge. Write songs on my Martin. Share music and prepare for the big changes that the fall will bring.
Thank you so much for taking the time out for this. Is there anything else you would like to add?
I would just like to share advice I am currently trying to follow:
“You are exactly where you are supposed to be”
You can listen to Dear Ella, on platforms like Spotify, Apple Music, and SoundCloud.
Keep up with Rowan Drake: Facebook // Instagram // TikTok // YouTube // Website
