Conversations with Ross Alan

Today we’d like to introduce you to Ross Alan.

Hi Ross, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I started writing poetry and lyrics as an adolescent trapped in the Midwest as means of escape. Through college, music and melody found themselves pouring out of me. After some fine-tuning, a BFA and a year’s worth of living all over the country: here we are. It’s been 10+ years of independent releases, music videos, touring, astronomical creative growth and progress as an artist. As a musician, I am sensationally proud of what I’ve been able to accomplish on my own.

I’m currently a pop singer-songwriter living in Los Angeles. I just released my most recent album ‘Revelation’ in April 2023 and I’m currently on tour with that record.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It has definitely not been a smooth road; I think anyone who says it has been is lying to themselves. Art, creation, invention, reinvention… it’s never easy. There have been plenty of roadblocks and up hills climbs along the way.

Financially supporting myself has always been a big holdback for me. I think I would create a lot faster if I had the financial backing it would take to create my art at a higher level. Then there is emotionally navigating depression, ravaging insecurity and addiction has definitely stalled the process at times. Having very little support from the industry and from my peers when I was younger. I spent many years mentorless – so not really knowing what to do or how to do it, what pitfalls to avoid, etc. On top of all of that, you have the mammoth of social media and how monumentally it shifted everything about the industry in the last five years.

But I’ve never been one to give up.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I’m a pop singer-songwriter. I specialize in being a vocal performer, entertainer, songwriter and all-around creative. I write all my own music. I direct and produce all my own music videos. I book all my own shows. I design all my own costumes. I do it all because I love art. I love making art.

In the last five years, I’ve released two studio albums and toured half of the US. I would say I’m best known for my song ‘Sagittarius’ and for the costume changes I execute on stage.

I would say I’m most proud of the visible growth I’ve made in the last couple of years – both creatively and sonically. My music and my visuals have really continued to improve in ways I honestly did not expect. I think moving to LA was such a beautiful move for me because of what it inspires me to do – how it pushes me – daily. Consistently. And I’m grateful.

Setting myself apart from others has never been a priority of mine because I like to think that we are all part of a bigger ‘machine’ working together in harmony. Something cosmic and grandeur. That being said, I was the sore thumb all throughout grade school. I never fit in during my college years. I’ve never been good at following the trend or adhering to what everyone else is doing; so in that sense, I am set apart from others. The way I see the world and the music I write is not like other people. I wouldn’t have it any other way.

Risk taking is a topic that people have widely differing views on – we’d love to hear your thoughts.
I’m a big fan of risk-taking. Not just in the stereotypical sense but in a fundamental way. Without it, how will you know what you’re capable of? Without it, how will anyone know what works and what doesn’t? I think people take risks every day – in big and small ways. You take a risk when you voice your opinion. You take a risk when you make art that says something people might not like or agree with. I take a risk as a non-binary human just by showing up as my authentic self. Without risks… no reward.

Contact Info:

• Website: rossalanmusic.com
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/rossalanmusic
• Facebook: https://facebook.com/rossalanmusic
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/rossalanmusic
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCvEGbg8CmYfkpfVZlNrXVjg

Image Credits
Image 1 – Jamie Benjam Image 2 – Jamie Benjam Image 3 – No credit Image 4 – Milo Fontanez Image 5 – Rachel Martin Image 6 – Rachel Martin