Biography


Rosie Arnfield is a songstress from Glossop, Derbyshire. With her piano she composes moody, melodic & heartfelt songs in a cinematic style that will transport you into her atmospheric dream world. Her songs are inspired by the beautiful Peak District that she so often strolls in, the passing of the seasons, her love of music, as well as her travels around the world. Her influences include Judee Sill, Joni Mitchell, Lana Del Rey, Karen Carpenter & classical music from the Final Fantasy game series.

"...one of the most memorable displays of elegance, style and heartfelt songwriting" Manchester Midweek Music Club

"Haunting melodies that somehow are of this mortal plain yet take you away to ethereal lands as their tendrils envelope you the audience 1... 2... 3... and back in the room." Cabaret at the Carlton


Rosie Arnfield grew up in Cambridgeshire. She had a passion for singing on the stage from a very young age, so went on to study musical theatre and drama. After graduating, life blew her in the direction of Glossop in Derbyshire, where she discovered the thriving arts and music scene, learnt to play the guitar, and became interested in folk music. After acquiring a stage piano, she found her niche with her unique (in this day and age) style of "dreamy folk", heavily influenced by the sounds of 70's songwriters, her classical piano education, with a touch of dramatic darkness.

...and who knows, where the wind will blow her next...



Interview with Manchester Women's Songwriter Collective

1. Tell us a little about yourself, and how you first got into playing music. If you had to pinpoint one moment that symbolises the beginning of your life as a musician/ songwriter, when would that be?
I’d always sung. In choirs, musicals, school concerts, in my bedroom – it was my favourite thing to do. But I lost sight of my dreams when I started a 9-5 job and entered the world of motherhood. When I was 22 I moved to Glossop where I knew nobody. Then, one day, I was in a pub, and a man playing the guitar asked me if I fancied singing a song. I said, “ok, do you know You’ve got a Friend by James Taylor?”. He did of course, so I sang it and the whole pub went silent and applauded at the end… I’d forgotten how much I loved to sing to an audience and it all spiraled from there. I learnt to play the guitar and began to write songs about the inspirational people I’ve met, the beautiful Peak District that I love to stroll in, the passing of the seasons, the endless rain, as well as my travels around the world.

2. Who would you say are your biggest influences/ who are you most inspired by when it comes to lyrics specifically and why?
Goldfrapp; You never really know what she’s singing about. But the words make sounds that capture the atmosphere of the music perfectly. Joni Mitchell; The ultimate “Woman of Heart and Mind” for her completely unique, fearless & passionate songs that tell tales of a life I don’t understand. Karen Carpenter; for her painfully beautiful songs of love, longing and heartache. Judee Sill, for her evocative lyrics that transcend this world. And more recently, Becca Stevens, for her dramatic portrayal of females from great works of literature.

3. How do you usually go about writing- what’s your process?
It usually begins with two chords… I rattle my fingers around my piano or guitar until a find the chords that echo the way I’m feeling at that moment. I’ll then hum and oooh around it for a while. When I find a melody that resonates with me, I tune my surroundings out, tune into the universe and let the words flow out. Sometimes it doesn’t work… But sometimes it does. And that’s a song.

4. What would you say is the most important thing to you, aside from family and friends- do you have a certain cause or passion that you feel strongly about?
I’m big on nature & the environment. I love gardening, bird-watching, trees, flowers & the great outdoors. I’d probably get a B+ for my “reduce, re-use & recycling” skills, and I wish David Attenborough was my Grandfather. I’ve also recently joined the world of veganism in an attempt to live a little more harmoniously. Some might call me a giant hippy, but I’ve still never made it to a music festival, gotten high, or been to a protest!

5. What is the best way to cure writers’ block?
Time alone. Go for a walk in the rain. De-clutter your house. Get a hot drink. Sit down. Shut out your busy life. Remember what’s important to you. Don’t overthink it. And if nothing comes, go and do something you’ve never done before. Get out of your comfort zone. If in doubt, use Spotify radio to find new songs that might inspire you. Always carry a notebook and pen in case a lyric occurs, because in 10 minutes, you’ll forget. 

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