Interview with Chelsea Rose of OPHELIA FALLING

Jarod Smith

Jul 18, 2022

What got you into music, and if you had not gotten into music what would you be doing today?

I grew up in a musical family and was singing on stage by the time I was 5. I always knew that I would be a singer when I grew up. I’m also a professional actor, and I split my time and energy between the two. If I weren’t doing either of those things… something in either animal welfare, or humanitarian work.

What do you like to do when you are not playing music and how does that influence your creativity?

I spend a lot of time outside, and get a lot of my inspiration from what I see on my daily walks. I also love biographies and music documentaries. When I read about how other artists got their start, and their creative process it inspires me to work harder.

How long has your band been around?

Mark started writing in 2014, and I joined him in spring 2017. By early 2018 we had a full band and were playing shows.

Where are you based out of and how did that influence your music?

Vancouver, BC - inspired us to be different. Our music is very atypical of the current Vancouver rock and metal scene. We’re very aware that we have a more European sound, and we’re ok with that!

How did you come up with the name of your band and what does it mean to you?

Mark wanted an active name - “Ophelia Falling” comes from the tragic death of the character in Shakespeare’s Hamlet. Easter egg: If you listen closely, every song I’ve written has a nod to Shakespeare at some point.

Tell me about your most memorable shows.

Our second show ever was Hyperspace Metal Festival at the Rickshaw in Vancouver. I was in Ontario for an acting gig when we found out a band had dropped out of the festival and they wanted us to fill in. I flew back to Van and arrived 30 minutes before we were on, without any of my stage clothes or normal equipment. It was terrifying and awesome.
The next would be opening up for Unleash the Archers with Striker and Order of Chaos - getting to play with our friends in these huge Canadian bands was epic.

What is your favorite venue to play at, and do you have any places you want to play that you have not already?

Our favourite venue so far has been the Rickshaw in Vancouver.
The iconic Commodore Ballroom in Vancouver is a bucket list venue… and I mean, Wacken would be nice.

If you could play any show with any lineup, who would be on the ticket?

Dead or Alive? Motörhead. Iron Maiden. Janis Joplin. And let’s throw Nightwish in there. That would be a pretty odd lineup haha.

What is some advice that you would give to someone who is just getting into playing in a band and some advice that you would give to your younger self?

Decide what you want, and take yourself seriously. If you take yourself seriously they will take you seriously. Write all the time. Practice. Don’t do the drugs. Don’t drink too much. Be aware that It’s probably not going to HAPPEN right away. And find people you actually enjoy and can spend time with.
Don’t allow negative criticism to crush your growth. Don’t let a closed door be the end.

If you could go back in time and give yourselves advice, what would it be?

Don’t despair. Success is not a straight line. If it was easy everybody would do it.

Of your songs which one means the most to you and why?

Our next single is called Find Your Light. It’s been a dark few years, I lost a very dear friend to suicide, and watched as friends and family have descended into deep depression, and suicidal thoughts. The song is about pushing through the despair.
“Reach further, cede not the fight. Through darkness you’ll find your light.”
We’re hoping to release the song by the end of the year.

Which songs are your favorite to play and which get requested the most?

Savage Love is my favourite to play. It’s usually our second to last song of the set and when we get to it I know that we’ve made it through another show. It’s also a rocker and just a good time.
Most people who have seen and heard us before love Anybody’s Daughter. It’s the first song I noticed people singing along to at shows.

What is the creative process for the band, and what inspires you to write your music?

Songs usually start with Mark writing guitar parts and creating a song structure. He sends that to me to write the vocal melody and lyrics. The two of us will get together and make sure we’re on the same page for the song. Next James adds keys, orchestral parts and tracks. And then we bring it to jam with Chris and Syl to get the drums and bass down.
Real-life experiences influence most of what I write. Some songs are stories, perhaps based on classic prose, or if the melody comes to me first it may inspire a word or theme.

What kinds of messages do you like to get across in your music?

Perseverance - overcoming difficulty/tragedy. Never give up. Never surrender.

Do you ever have disagreements in your band, and how do you get past them?

We don’t disagree often. That’s the beauty of being a band with people you like and respect. We all have the same vision for the band. We’ve had our frustrations with each other but we talk them through and move on.

What are your plans for the future, and do you have anything that you want to spotlight that is coming up?

Keep touring. Music videos and a single release in the autumn. Writing a second album.
In the immediate future we are headed on a Western Canadian Tour. Beginning July 16th with Armstrong Metal Festival, ending with Loud As Hell Metal Festival, and a tour wrap show in Vancouver.
Next summer a bigger Canadian Tour is in the works and possibly down the coast to LA. Then Europe. Then World domination.