2022: Year Of The Roses

Wow! Goodbye, 2022. Welcome, 2023!

Last year was quite the year for Of The Roses.

We did A LOT.

Between finishing my Bachelor's degree, living in San Antonio half the week to care for my parents, and working 4 to 5 part-time jobs to pursue my music career, I'm really grateful to be able to play music and work with so many talented, kind engineers, filmmakers, musicians and other folks! I know they all have their own lives as well, and I am endlessly appreciative of the time and talent that they dedicate to Of The Roses. I don't usually like to 'look back,' but I think that commitment and hard work should be acknowledged.

So, let's take a look at what we were able to accomplish in 2022!

Mirror's Always Round EP Recording
January 2022

​We recorded our first 5-song EP at Ice Cream Factory Studios (in about 3 days!) right here in Austin, TX. Studio owner and engineer Matt Parmenter is a gem, and helped make us sound amazing! Thanks Matt!

'Friends' Music Video Recording
February 2022

Behind the scenes of our music video shoot for 'Friends.' We recreated a shot from the Talking Heads music video 'Once in a Lifetime.'

​This was my first time on a music video set, let alone directing one! Big thanks to cinematographer Robert Lloyd Moore and his crew (gaffer Tori Rice and assistant James Powell) for helping make all my crazy ideas come to life. It was a busy but super fun two days at Austin Cinemaker Space.

Unofficial SXSW Show
March 2022

Of The Roses show poster for an Unofficial SXSW Show at the Electric Church.

March was SO busy! I can't believe we got through it, ha! We got to play an Unofficial SXSW Show at the very psychedelic Electric Church, which is always fun! Hopefully we'll play an Official show as Of The Roses in the near future! (:

Texas AF Fest! with Awstin Rawk
July 2022

Serenity & Josh at Texas AF Fest. Photo by Seven Pillars Photography, Inc.

We continued to play shows throughout the spring and summer (and the rest of the year too!) My favorite show of the seasons, though, was Texas AF Fest at Hanover's Draught Haus in Pflugerville. The show was put together and hosted by the cool people at Awstin Rawk & Austin rock band Space Cushion. We shared a bill with so many great bands, including Space Cushion, Frogmouth and BONDBREAKR. A photographer also got the coolest live photo of me and Josh yet!

International Pop Overthrow -- Arlington
September 2022

Of The Roses @ International Pop Overthrow in Arlington, TX. Our friend Will filled in on bass.

​This show was an OMG moment for me and Josh, especially. We are huge fans of the genre of Power Pop, and International Pop Overthrow is quite legendary. When the awesome David Bash invited us to play the Arlington leg, it was an automatic 'yes' from us! We had such a blast, and, as Of The Roses, it was our first show played outside of Austin.

'Friends' single release + 1.5K views on music video
November 2022

 
Thank you to all our fans for 1.5K views on the 'Friends' music video! This awesome song was mixed by UK rock band Franz Ferdinand's Julian Corrie (Miaoux Miaoux.)

​The song focuses on control and paranoia, as well as women's rights. The music video is inspired by cult horror films like The Birds, The Shining, They Live!, as well as late '70s and '80s new wave music videos. 

Mirror's Always Round EP -- CD Release!
December 2022

Of The Roses -- Mirror's Always Round EP via Slaughter Lane Records

Ending 2022 with a bang, we relased the Mirror's Always Round EP on CD and digital on December 2, 2022. (Thank you to Sister Polygon Records for helping us with digital distribution!)

We celebrated the release with new (our first!) merch! T-shirts, pins, and stickers are now available along with our CD on Bandcamp! Woo!

Thank you to our fans, family and friends for an amazing year. We couldn't do it without your support. Much love, and Happy New Year <3

- Serenity & Of The Roses