Art & Life with Rona Rougeheart

Today we’d like to introduce you to Rona Rougeheart.

Electronic/alternative rock band, SINE (pronounced like ‘sign’), is the brainchild of drummer/multi-instrumentalist, Rona Rougeheart.

Rona was born in New York, the youngest daughter of a Taiwanese mother and Irish father. She grew up as a military child, living all over the U.S. and in Okinawa, Japan. Her father was a musician who taught her how to play keys and guitar. It wasn’t until later, she decided to take up drums on her own. Early in her musical career, she played drums for multiple bands, catching the eye of Gretsch Drums who, in 2012, gave her first endorsement. Gibraltar hardware also added her to their roster.

Rona discussed what made her get into music and why she created SINE as a band:

“My first live show ever was Depeche Mode. My two older sisters were going to the show and my parents had instructed them to take me along. Uncool as ever, I was dressed in a pink tank top and matching pink shorts! Haha! It was an eye opening experience, to say the least. As soon as Depeche Mode hit the stage and I saw how amazing and grand it was, I said to myself, ‘I wanna do THAT!’. I, then, became a faithful member of the black swarm and haven’t looked back ever since. Haha! “

“After being a drummer in bands, I wanted to branch out with my own music and vibe. I had decided I wanted SINE to be a band rather than ‘Rona solo’ because I like that band-family connection, having band mates to collaborate and make great music with.”

Can you give our readers some background on your art?
When creating music for SINE, I wanted to pay homage to all of my major influences: Curve, Depeche Mode, Nine Inch Nails, Deftones, Queens of The Stone Age, among several others. I see SINE as a collective of all the great music I’ve been exposed to and hold close to my heart. I wanted to create a band with a dark, sexy, fashionable aesthetic and sound. Our music is dark with edgy lyrics, driving electronics and danceable beats.

Lyrically, the songs are about the dark corners of life and situations we all encounter. It’s about love, sex, betrayal, temptation, degradation, lust, fiendish desire, destruction, drugs…its real life. The songs are meant to come from a strong, unwavering stance, exposing the emotional mazes we navigate.

I want to touch people emotionally and inspire them to be strong despite the negative things we face in life.

What would you recommend to an artist new to the city, or to art, in terms of meeting and connecting with other artists and creatives?
Find other bands, artists and creatives that have a sense of community. Go to their shows and events, encourage them to come to yours. Meet people who are interested in moving up in their career and find out how you can benefit each other. Share valuable information to elevate each other. I find that banding together to achieve a common goal, is best. Having a heavy competitive attitude doesn’t serve anyone. No one said that fans can only like ONE particular artist or musician. Share fans! Most likely fans of another artist or band that is in your realm, will be fans of yours! It’s a big world and there’s room for everyone. I believe anything is possible with the right attitude.

What’s the best way for someone to check out your work and provide support?
SINE’s website is at www.sine.band. We are also on all socials (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter) under the handle @alovesine

People can support our work by sharing our music with their friends and connections. We are always looking to up level the band. We’re highly motivated. Support from fans, family and friends is very important to us. It means a lot when people are touched by our art and spread the word.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.sine.band
• Email: contact@sine.band
• Instagram: instagram.com/alovesine
• Facebook: facebook.com/alovesine
• Twitter: twitter.com/alovesine

Image Credit:
Photos by Teresa Jolie (main drum image of Rona) – live photos: Alicia Armijo, Euphemien Julie, Julien Larmay, Adrienne Lake, Joey Galvan, Dale Wodrich

Getting in touch: VoyageLA is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.