A Dirty Dozen with ANCA GRATER of ROSY VISTA – March 2019

According to a recent press release: “Germany’s first female hard rock act Rosy Vista will release their new single and lyric video for “Crazy” today. The song is taken from the forthcoming album Unbelievable. “Crazy” is also the band’s first single featuring Anca Graterol (git, voc), Andrea Schwarz (voc), Marina Hlubek (dr) and Angela Mann (b) and, after more than 30 years, the Hanoverian ladies are getting themselves noticed again.” We get guitarist / singer Anca to discuss new music, influences, and much more…

1. Tell us a little about your latest release.  What might a fan or listener not grab the first or second time they listen through?  Are there any hidden nuggets the band put in the material or that only diehard fans might find?

To be honest, I have not thought about that – Our song lyrics describe day to day situations, which almost all people are confronted with. Perhaps people might interpret something else into our poetic lyrics – but we didn’t intend to do that. So there is no need to “read between the lines.” The lyrics are 35 years old and were written when we were young and meant it directly.

2. What got you into music, and can you tell us about the moment you realized you wanted to be a musician?

Well, long time ago in Romania (where I was born), when I was 12 years old I could see the advertisement of a movie – across from the street where I lived. I decided to ask my parents, if they would let me see the film – which seemed to be about music. From the moment I watched the movie, I knew what my destiny is and told my mom: “I’m gonna be a guitar player – that guitar that is plugged into electricity!” The movie was: The Young Ones with Cliff Richard & The Shadows. I watched it over 10 times!

3. Building on that, is there a specific song, album, performer, or live show that guided your musical taste?

The electric sound of a guitar inspired me to be a musician and fascinates me until today.

4. Who would be your main five musical influences?

The Beatles (The songs I started with), Led Zeppelin were the next step regarding groove & sounds, Then I changed over to some progressive crazy stuff like Gentle Giant, King Crimson etc. After that a bit softer into Pink Floyd, spherical stuff. And finally back to hard & heavy rock like Aerosmith, Kansas. There are so many influences, styles that I like, that I conserved some drops of each for my own taste and Rosy Vista.

5. If you could call in any one collaborator to do a song with, who would it be, and why?

Another hard one – as I love so many musicians and bands – but if I would have to chose only one it would probably be… No, wait! I just can’t decide! Hahaha!

6. How would you describe your music to someone who’d never listened to you before? What is the one comparison a reviewer or fan has made that made you cringe or you disagreed with?

That’s not difficult: Full of energy, fresh, powerful. Hard Rock / Heavy Rock. To be honest, people always compare bands with each other. The human mind is made to put things in drawers – and only a few people are really open minded artists. So we let them say and compare us to whatever they want – as long as they give us attention. Mostly we get compared with other All girl bands – although their styles are completely different – only because being girls!

7. What’s the best thing about being a musician?

Don’t know – but if I’ll be born again – I would do exactly the same!

8. When the band are all hanging out together, who cooks; who gets the drinks in; and who is first to crack out the acoustic guitars for a singalong?

Easy answer: Everybody cooks, gets the drinks in – or we get served – and I’m the one taking the acoustic guitar for singalong because I’m the only guitar player! Hahaha!

9. When was the last time you were star struck and who was it?

There are various “new” bands that fascinate me – but to be honest, I never was the person adoring a star – except in my childhood or being teenager.

10. If you weren’t a musician, what would be your dream job?

I can’t imagine not being a musician – But the only other option would be taking care of animals / rescuing.

11. Looking back over your career, is there a single moment or situation you feel was a misstep or you would like to have a “do over”, even if it didn’t change your current situation?

All bad things lead to something – mostly good! You never do the same mistakes twice and learn. It made me the person I am now. Another road would probably not have me decide to reform Rosy Vista again. So: No! I don’t regret anything.

12. If you could magically go back in time and be a part of the recording sessions for any one record in history, which would you choose – and what does that record mean to you?

Led Zeppelin II – It was a great time period of my life when I listened to that album every day when it came out. It inspired me so much – not only the songs, but the sound and charisma of the band. The whole attitude was just how I felt. Completely honest, natural, powerful and innovative. Pure ROCK!

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Category: Interviews