Gena Rose Bruce announces the release of her beautiful second album Deep Is The Way.

The second album by Melbourne-based songwriter Gena Rose Bruce, titled Deep Is The Way, will be out on January 27, 2023, through Dot Dash / Remote Control Records. The follow-up to her 2019 Australian Music Prize-nominated debut, Can't Make You Love Me, is once again produced by Tim Harvey. It is an album of gloomy reflection broken by the brightness of self-acceptance, and striking guitar explorations that communicate the turbulent emotions of the present. A multifaceted record, it is heartbreaking, dark, and infatuated. We spoke with Gena ahead of her upcoming second album to learn more about the artist and what goes into her craft.

Can you tell us who you are, where you’re from, and something about the music you make?

I am Gena (pronounced gina not jenna) Rose Bruce, I am from Melbourne Australia and I’m a songwriter - I write lyrically heartfelt songs accompanied by punchy bass lines.

How did it all start?

I've been journaling since I can remember, like I'm talking 6 years old - I think naturally my journaling overtime progressed into songwriting, once I knew I could sing at about the age of 12, I asked my parents to enrol me in guitar lessons, as I knew even then it will be much easier in the long run as a singer/songwriter to play an instrument.

We love your new single, “Foolishly In Love”. Can you tell us a bit more about how this single came about and how the collaboration with Bill Callahan developed?

Thank you! I actually had written so many versions of this song but was never quite happy with it. It wasn't until peak lockdown I was lucky enough to be introduced to Bill Callahan, Bill and I both had the same mindset about co writing -we were both new to it and we were just happy to explore it, give it a go with no real goal per se. I thought to send him this song as I had sort of lost the momentum to finish it on my own, honestly I had sort of given up on it, and that way also there was nothing to lose incase bill came back saying he hated it haha - but he didn’t luckily and came back with a new verse which then sparked this new inspiration in me and all of a sudden I could see clearly where the song should go - we went back and forth with demos, maybe about 6 times? and then yeah we had a song, I added a few more tweaks in the studio but Bill I pretty much had it wrapped up.

How do you produce your music?

It changes all the time, but usually it always starts with a word or two and then I'm inspired lyrically to build on that word. I'm a guitarist but I write most of my songs on the piano. I find I can curate more complex melodies on the piano. I use my phone to record demos, no mic, just pretty basic but effective stuff.

What inspires your music?

So many elements inspire my music but musically I'm inspired by artists who write from an honest and raw emotion, that when you're listening you just feel as if they are really sharing and opening their whole heart to you - Such as Angel Olsen or Weyes Blood. I also love singing and artists who use their voice as an instrument. I try to write melodies that challenge my vocals.

Do you have any go-to songs that you like to cover?

I rarely cover songs however I have recently challenged myself to cover Radio Heads - No surprises. Thom Yorke is one of those artists who uses their vocals as an instrument, I am just so in love with his voice.

How has living in Melbourne influenced your music?

Melbourne has a high regard for original music, you can get a lot of work performing originals whereas in other states in Australia, venues focus more on cover acts and it is very hard for an original artist to get work. Melbourne is also really encouraging of all stages of a musician's career. People will come out and support live music no matter what level you are at, and I think that early support is so important.

What advice would you give anyone trying to achieve a similar sound to you?

I think if you are in the writing zone my advice would be to switch off/tune out of music that is currently trending, I think subconsciously you can put this pressure on yourself to write something current or what you think people want to hear - but when you do tune out and surround yourself with music that inspires you, I think you then write more freely and less judgmental which is so important in early stages of writing a song.

If your music were a film, TV show or book, which would it be?

Well I have been told a few times that people can hear my music being in Twin Peaks both the original and remake - I'm not sure if I agree, however I'm flattened by that and would totally not object to it!!

Name an album you’re still listening to from when you were younger and why it’s important to you?

Every 2 or 3 years I fall back on The Beatles band wagon and have Abbey Road on repeat - I listened to this album a lot in my early 20s when I first moved out of home, feeling overwhelmed and lost - so I think it will always hold this sentimental feeling of those early days - of course at that time I was a smoker so these days when I’m listening it makes me crave a cigarette, however I rarely cave.

What do you hate right now?

People who still don't believe in climate change.

What do you love right now?

People who make an effort to change their routines, habits and mindset to do their part even if it can only be minimal to save our planet.

What’s the best gig you’ve ever played?

I love very intimate gigs, once I played a gig in a small pub in Melbourne ( the Labour in Vain) where it was so jammed packed the audience were standing only centimetres away from me but there was this amazing energy in the room, the audience were so engaged and as a performer you could see their emotions/reactions to your songs so clearly- that was pretty cool.

What’s the best gig you’ve ever been to?

oh gosh there are just too many, however I recently went to see Ngaiire and her band play a show in melbourne and they just blew me away!!!

What comes next in the Gena Rose Bruce story?

I'm releasing my 2nd album in January 2023, and I'm coming to the UK not long after that to perform!! ( my first time playing internationally)

What upcoming 2022/2023 music releases are you most excited about?

Mine haha.

Is there any new music from 2022 you have been enjoying?

I'm loving all the singles Weyes Blood has released so far - can't wait for the album.

Any book recommendations for our readers?

I recently was given Burial Rites by Hannah Kent - and I really enjoyed that book!!

Is there anything else you would like to share with our readers?

Thanks for listening.

Start Listening To: Gena Rose Bruce