Profiles

Rosabella Gregory has only just released her debut CD, but already she's being compared to Tori Amos.

And you can see why, when you listen to the songs on her websites.

"You're not the first to liken me to Tori Amos," she said. "It happens a lot. I was listening to Tori Amis when I was 15, so it made a massive impact.

"She relies on the piano, like I do. The piano was was very much a part of her songs, and not just in the background. I like the fact that it was orchestral. So yes, I can see a great similarity.

"And Kate Bush, too. There's a theatrical spin to both of those girls."

Rosabella's music is often likened to Tori Amos

Rosabella moved to Ivybridge when she was five, and has been playing piano ever since she was a child.

She went to Stowford Primary School and Ivybridge Community College, before moving to London to study music. While at music college, she was spotted by a tutor at the Royal Academy of Music, where she attended a commercial music course.

Since then, she has been writing songs with her twin sister Dina, and performing live - mainly in the South East.

Her inspiration, however, is her favourite place - Dartmoor.

"I love Dartmoor. It's the inspiration for everything. I was very lucky to be brought up so close to Dartmoor. I see the kids in London going to school on the tube and I think I was so lucky to have my upbringing."

Rosabella gets back to Devon as often as she can. Her mother still lives in Ivybridge, and Rosabella looks forward to her trips back home.

"I love Mothecombe Beach, Bigbury, Ashburton, Totnes, and Cadover Bridge, where we used to swim in the river.

Rosabella now wants to write music for a film

"But it's hard to get down when I'm gigging."

Rosabella hopes to be doing some shows in Devon, to coincide with the release of her album, Everything Comes Together, in the shops from September 2008. A single, entitled Water, was released in August.

"It's ridiculously exciting," said Rosabella. "The album was recorded two years ago, but it's taken such a long time to get it all together."

With lyricist Dina having moved to New York, Rosabella now tends to write the words to her music.

The album is released on the Nomadic Music record label: "When they signed me it was Heaven-sent, really," said Rosabella. "The album was already done and ready to go.

"But I never thought a deal was the be-all-and-end-all. My aim is to get better and to play with the musicians I want to.

"I hope people connect to my music. I'd love this album to be a success, but you can't predict."

Rosabella did an interview with BBC Radio Devon's David Fitzgerald on 17 June 2008, which you can hear by using the audio link on this page.

You can also listen to some of Rosabella's songs on her web pages, which are linked from this page, and judge for yourself if she resembles Tori Amos!