Rose Cousins has a knack for stirring the heart. A weave of her journey and thoughtful observation, her songs tell subtle stories open enough to belong to anyone. With expressive arrangements, warm guitar and effortless vocals, one would hardly believe she’s on stage alone. With a successful fall of touring under her belt, she enters 2007 with two impressive East Coast Music Award nominations for SOCAN Songwriter of the Year and CBC Galaxie Rising Star Recording of the Year. “… I’m very honoured to be nominated among this region’s top talent, many of whom are my very good friends…”. Her recent success with the release of her first full length album If You Were For Me has brought her much attention and named her the 2006 Top Indedendent Seller at Sam the Record Man in her hometown of Halifax, NS. Rose has been invited to perform live on CBC’s Sounds Like Canada, at the ECMA Songwriter Circle, and live on the East Coast Music Awards Gala national CBC television broadcast on Feb 18th. (www.ecma.com for more details) Her songs and charming performances have brought Rose across Canada and south of the border. She has shared stages with Canadian greats David Francey, Lynn Miles, Joel Plaskett, Bob Snider, Emm Gryner & Valdy and U.S. friends John Gorka, Darrell Scott, Lori McKenna, Edie Carey, Rose Polenzani, Mark Erelli & The Weepies. In the Spring 2007 she will open shows for Catie Curtis and Cheryl Wheeler. “Cousins writes songs strong on story, melody, and honest observations...…that demand an unaffected but beautiful voice." - Lifestyle Nova Scotia Her genuine writing and unaffected voice have earned her great respect and recognition locally and internationally. Highly sought after, Rose has lent her voice to recordings by such artists as: Matt Mays, Jill Barber, In-Flight Safety, The Heavy Blinkers and Edie Carey. The full length follow up to her two EPs (Only So Long 2002, Miles to Go 2003), If You Were For Me is a collection of songs that marks the beginning of the next phase in this eminent songwriter’s career. Recorded at the legendary CBC Studio H, (Juno Winner Garret Mason, Jill Barber) in Halifax, NS, the album’s strength lies in the writing, performances by seasoned recording artists and the vision of producer/engineer, Karl Falkenham. “Working with CBC has been an incredible experience and their support continues to be invaluable…I believe this album is an accurate representation of my style and presentation of my songs..I’m very proud of it.” If You Were For Me draws on influences from traditions of folk, bluegrass, pop and Appalachian music. “..Cousins has come into her own with an album full of tidy arrangements that highlight both her forthright lyrics and her pure, unaffected voice….. ought to push her one step closer to a place among musicians such as Alison Krauss and Sarah Harmer.” -Exclaim Magazine “…Intimate and inspired, If You Were for Me is subtle in scope, generous with gesture and reveals the soft soul of an artist finding her voice in full folk stride. One of the best local releases in 2006, this work puts her in standing alongside Joel Plaskett and Matt Mays as one of HRM’s finest storytellers. 4 stars” - Halifax Daily News www.myspace.com/rosecousins www.oldfarmpony.com
