Neena Rose’s latest single, “Propaganda,” marks a significant milestone in her musical journey, showcasing an edgier pop-rock style that reflects her artistic evolution. In a candid interview, Rose reveals the deeply personal inspiration behind the track, which was born from a letter she wrote to herself, urging self-respect and authenticity. The song, which tackles toxic power dynamics, lying, and gaslighting, draws from her own experiences and those of her friends, aiming to resonate with anyone who has faced similar challenges. Collaborating with producer Austin Bianco, Rose’s vision for “Propaganda” came to life with a perfect blend of introspective lyrics and powerful guitar riffs, creating a track that is both raw and relatable. Check out our exclusive interview with her below.
I2R: “Propaganda” marks a bold new chapter for you. Can you tell us about the inspiration behind this song and the message you aim to convey?
NR: Propaganda is definitely a new vibe from me; however, I feel like it is the most authentic kind of music that I’ve created this far. Although it sounds like I’m talking to “someone else” on this track, it was actually inspired by a letter that I wrote to myself. I told myself exactly what I would’ve told a friend if they were in my shoes. As soon as I reread it, I knew I had a song to write. I learned that you can’t always take things at face value and to never accept less than what you deserve.
I2R: You’ve described “Propaganda” as tackling toxic power dynamics. How did your personal experiences influence the lyrics and theme of the song?
NR: All of my songs come from personal experiences or from the experiences of the people around me. My friends and I have all had experiences where boys have tried to diminish us to feel better about themselves, leading us to question our worth. Over analyzing every word and interaction to make ourselves feel better, when in reality, it has absolutely nothing to do with us and everything to do with them.
I2R: Your sound has evolved significantly with this new single. What led you to explore an edgier pop-rock style, and how does it reflect your artistic growth?
NR: Growing up as a singer-songwriter, I explored many genres including pop, rock, jazz, and Musical Theatre. While I began releasing pop/R&B music, I have always been more drawn towards edgier music. As a preteen, I was singing Led Zeppelin and Lenny Kravitz in a rock band, and that’s where I really felt at home. Finally showing this side of my songwriting feels very full circle for me.” My journey gave me the experience of exploring every side of my musicality before coming home.
I2R: Can you share any specific moments or stories from the creation process of “Propaganda” that stood out to you?
NR: When I created “Propaganda” with the producer of the track, Austin Bianco, I had a very specific vision but didn’t really know how to describe it. We got into the session and all I said was, “I want the verses to be lowkey, so we can hear the lyrics, and at the end of every line, an electric guitar attack.” And that’s all he needed to literally read my mind and create the most perfect instrumental. We got to cooking and the track came out better than I could have even imagined.
I2R: The lyrics of “Propaganda” address lying, gaslighting, and manipulation. How do you hope listeners will connect with these themes?
NR: It’s really important to me to write about things that make me feel something, whether it’s really happy or REALLY mad. Being gaslit and manipulated is such a frustrating and confusing experience, and considering how popular the topics are on social media right now, I’d say there are manyyyy people who feel the exact same way. I wrote “Propaganda” as a way to give advice to anyone in a similar situation and give listeners the advice that I wish I received when I was in their shoes.
I2R: You’ve had an impressive journey in the music industry since your breakout single “Games.” How do you see “Propaganda” fitting into your overall discography?
NR: I’ve come a long way from my first single, “Games.” I feel like the 16-year-old girl who wrote that song would be very proud of how much we’ve grown and come into our own. I think my music reflects, not only my musical evolution, but how much I’ve changed. which I think is really special. Propaganda is a milestone that marks a new chapter in my story and I’m excited to share the chronicles as I experience them.
I2R: With over 900,000 TikTok followers and millions of streams, your reach is immense. How has your relationship with your fans influenced your music and career?
NR: I’ve learned that the most important part of having a large online presence and platform is listening to the people who support me. When I post a clip of an unreleased song online, I love reading the feedback and seeing what resonates. When I released a clip of War Zone for the first time, it practically blew up overnight and I knew that was a message that needed to heard. So, I gladly recorded a full version and gave the fans what they asked for. This two-way communication gives me insight on what people want to hear from me, and then I’m able to tap into whatever resonates with them.
I2R: Your work with Grammy-nominated and award-winning producers and songwriters is notable. How have these collaborations shaped the sound and production of “Propaganda”?
NR: I am so grateful for all the experiences I’ve had working with Grammy-nominated producers and writers. I have always considered myself a life-long learner and I jump at any opportunity to learn, so I’ve picked up many tips and tricks from all of the sessions I’ve been in. It also helped me grow a confidence while working with successful writers and fight the imposter syndrome. And I am truly privileged that such successful writers and producers were interested in working with me. When creating Propaganda, I had a clear idea of what I wanted it to sound like and I was able to communicate that vision to clearly.
I2R: Winning the “Original Recording of the Year” at the Hollywood Independent Music Awards must have been a proud moment. How did that recognition impact your confidence and future projects?
NR: It was truly a surreal moment. This was the first time that my new, edgier sound was being recognized, so this award gave me the confidence boost that I needed to be secure in the lane switch that I was making. I didn’t have doubts about my sound switch before winning the award, but I definitely was excited to move forward after, knowing it was validated by a panel of seasoned industry professionals. I know this was the right move.
I2R: You were one of only six Canadians nominated for the Hollywood Music and Media Awards in 2019. How did that early recognition influence your career trajectory?
NR: Being part of such a large-scale event early in my career was truly an unforgettable experience and made me feel that I was worthy of my place in the world.
I2R: As someone who has performed live to over 50,000 people, how do you approach translating the energy and themes of “Propaganda” to a live audience?
NR: A great part of making this musical lane switch, is being able to perform with a band on stage. I’ve always loved sharing the stage with a group of musicians and having more energy to feed off of; it’s a more comfortable and fun environment for me. When performing Propaganda, I am excited to be able to get up on stage and have fun with people who love the music as much as I do.
I2R: Your success includes significant streaming numbers and playlist inclusions. What strategies do you think have been most effective in reaching and engaging such a broad audience?
NR: I am blessed to have a great team around me that have had lots of success in this industry. While they have many more years of experience than I do, they keep an open mind when it comes to the shifting paradigm of the music industry today. With so many people having a platform and releasing music, it is more difficult than ever to cut through the noise, however I’ve learned that being adaptable and keeping momentum going is so important. If anything gets the slightest amount of traction, it is so crucial to jump on it and act quickly.
I2R: You’ve been involved in discussions at industry conferences, like the California Copyright Conference. How do these experiences inform your approach to music and the business side of your career?
NR: I have always been a very business-minded individual and my manager has always been a great mentor on that side of things. Any time we’ve made a business decision, I’ve been involved in the conversation, so being on a panel at the California Copyright Conference, I was able to share my experiences being a young artist, but also businesswoman, and hear from others who have even more experience than I do. Although I am a creative, I know that the music business is like any other business and my music is just the product that we are selling, so the strategic and analytical portion has always played a big role.
I2R: Can you give us a glimpse into what we can expect from you next? Are there any upcoming projects or collaborations that you’re particularly excited about?
NR: Propaganda is just the first of many tracks in this lane and I am so excited to finally share what I’ve been working on for the past 2 years. We have lots of music and lots of fun surprises coming your way!
I2R: What advice would you give to aspiring artists who are looking to push boundaries and address real-world issues through their music, much like you have with “Propaganda”?
NR: I would tell them to write about what makes them… feel !. I’ve had many people try to tell me what to write about and what would “make me successful”, but it wasn’t until I started sharing my own stories and intense emotions that I started to see that Your artistry should be rooted in what you truly believe in. It will evolve with you as you grow and learn more about yourself, but that’s the beauty of music.
