Roslyn Witter is a singer/songwriter from Hamilton, Ontario. You know you have something special when you can hold your own with Keith Urban.
Flashback to 2014: new Slaight Music signing Roslyn Witter won a radio station singing contest that earned her a live duet appearance with Urban during one of the country music superstar’s concerts in Witter’s hometown of Hamilton, ON.
Roslyn Witter, a charismatic, distinctive and organically-nuanced tenor, is ready to claim her own country music spotlight.
Whether she’s revving up the sunshine on the terminally upbeat summer anthem “Good Vibes,” her debut single; twirling through life’s rotisserie of love and loyalty through the poignant country waltz “Ferris Wheel Ride,” or optimistically grabbing the brass ring with a “my foot on the gas” and “nothing but dreams on the dashboard” armed with a sentimental memento on the motoring “Flannel Shirt,” Roslyn Witter is an exceptional siren whose gift of artistry bypasses cliché and stakes her authenticity as both singer and songwriter in the genre known as “three chords and the truth.”
What first got you into music?
I was raised in a very musical household, and I feel so lucky to say that. My dad is also a singer-songwriter and had his “break” in Country music in the 90s. I was a baby at the time, and my mom used to take my brother and me to his shows. I LOVED to sing along and started performing on stage with him when I was five years old. My dad has taught me everything I know about songwriting, and he has been my biggest musical inspiration my whole life. Though the music was never pushed on me as a career path, my parents always encouraged me to sing, pick up instruments and explore various genres. For as long as I can remember, music was always playing in our house. Billy Joel, Keith Urban, The Chicks, James Taylor, Cat Stevens and the Beatles are some of the artists I remember really enjoying, and I still listen to all of them today.
If you could go open a show for any artist, who would it be?
Oh, this is tough. I am so inspired by so many artists, but lately, I have really been drawn to Harry Styles (who isn’t). I was lucky enough to attend his concert last August and was blown away by his energy and charisma. Following the concert, I had a TikTok video go viral of my husband singing and dancing along in the audience. The positive comments I received on this video were overwhelming and were a testament to the supportive fanbase he has. I think I would feel really comfortable opening for him knowing that his fans would “treat me with kindness”. If you’re a Harry fan, you’ll understand this reference.
What is your creative process like?
I have a lot of melodies pop into my head, sometimes even in the middle of the night. Whenever this happens, I sing them into my “voice memos” app on my phone. I find you really have to be in the right mood to write, so whenever I feel like I’m in a melancholy or particularly inspired mood, I listen to these melodies and see what jumps out at me. I have about 15 half finished songs on the go right now, just waiting for the right lyrics to come to mind. I love collaborating with other songwriters, but I also love sitting in my bedroom, cracking the window to listen to the birds, and just letting my thoughts flow on paper.
Where have you performed? What are your favorite and least favorite venues? Do you have any upcoming shows?
My most favorite venue I have ever performed at is the Tim Hortons Field in my hometown, Hamilton, ON. Not only was it so special to perform here because it is where I grew up and where I currently live, but it is thanks to one of my biggest idols, Keith Urban, that I had the opportunity to perform on that stage. A local radio station hosted a contest where they were looking for a local singer to join Keith for a duet of his song, “We Were Us”. I submitted an audition video and truthfully didn’t think I stood a chance against a lot of incredibly talented people. I got a call back from the radio station to let me know that I had won, and I would be joining Keith on stage, and I have never been more shocked or excited in my life. Performing with him was a complete dream come true, and I still consider it to be one of the best days of my life. Nothing comes close to the adrenaline you feel performing for 10,000 screaming fans with an artist you have looked up to your whole life.
What would you be doing right now if it weren’t for your music career?
My parents pushed me to go to school to have a job to “fall back on”, and I’m so thankful they did. The music industry is super cut-throat, and I know that 99.9% of artists don’t “make it”. I have been working in a hospital for the last seven years, and although I don’t particularly like my job, it allowed me to purchase a cute little home that I love, so I’m very thankful to have it. I also am a wedding photographer, so if it wasn’t for my music career I would be working my hospital job, working as a photographer, and I would 100% still be writing songs. I think I would also probably be a mom right now, as music has delayed these plans a little bit. More than anything in the world I have always wanted to be a mom, but I think that would be a little bit tricky as I’m trying to launch a career in music.
What would be the ideal food to have cooked for you on a date night?
CHICKEN FINGERS. I am not ashamed to say that I still look for this item on the menu at every restaurant we go to. So far nobody has topped the chicken fingers from the Cracker Barrel. With a side of their hash brown casserole and fried apples… There is no better meal.
What makes you nostalgic?
Christmas music!!!! Christmas has always been my absolute favorite time of year, and every time I hear the opening line, “Chestnuts roasting on an open fire”, I am overwhelmed with the most comforting, nostalgic feeling. Sometimes when I’m feeling down, even if it’s in the middle of the summer, I will put my favorite Disney Christmas specials on to cheer myself up.
What is the most useless talent you have?
I guess it’s not really a “talent”, but I know A LOT about the Titanic. I’ve been obsessed with it since I was 10 years old. My birthday party that year was Titanic themed, and all my friends dressed up as first class passengers. My parents even replicated the White Star Line menu. I have probably watched the movie 30 times in full, and have Titanic memorabilia spread out around my house. It’s weird. I think I was a passenger in a past life.
What’s your least favorite personality trait you like about yourself?
I’m a super anxious person, and I really don’t like this about myself. I have terrible social anxiety, but I’m working on it. My worst anxiety symptom is nausea, and I’ve had this since I was a very young kid. When I was little I never knew what was making me feel sick, but now that I can attribute anxiety to this feeling, I’m able to work through it. Getting outside always helps, and so does being with my dog, Lennon. He’s the best boy.
What was the last TV series you watched on TV?
Love Is Blind… It’s my guilty pleasure. My husband’s, too. We love all the garbage Netflix reality TV shows.
Roslyn has a sunny new single to share which captures the feel-good energy of a day at the beach. The earnest and catchy song is a country-pop cruiser, full of gentle strumming and pedal steel harmonies.
Writing “Good Vibes,” in collaboration with her father, singer-songwriter Jim Witter, was an “almost therapeutic” process. “The winters are LONG in Ontario, so entering a ‘summer’ mindset was a fun distraction.”
Witter worked with director Connor Scheffler to film the song’s 1970s-themed music video, using an indoor beach volleyball court to replicate a carefree vacation.
Be transported back in time with Roslyn in the official video for “Good Vibes” now
Good Vibes” by Roslyn Witter is out now https://open.spotify.com/album/7ryRgpTxNIBH8knZRsuTnI?si=HfBRNg-jSACGs8jw4HU8bw
Written by Jim Witter and Roslyn Witter
Produced by Andrew Martino and Jim Witter
Video directed by Connor Scheffler
DOP/Lighting by Ryan Recine
Hair by Carrie Whitehead
Makeup by Kyrsten Bryant
Graphic Design by Connor Scheffler
Motion Graphics and Animation by Connor Scheffler
