Ears Wide Open: Nettie Rose

Seraphina Lotkhamnga on November 8th, 2013

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There’s nothing wrong with making up stories, especially when they sound as pretty as the ones Nettie Rose sings. “I’m a girl from Santa Monica. There’s only so much I can talk to you about,” claims Rose. The 23-year-old, the daughter of longtime music publishing executive Lance Freed and the granddaughter of DJ Alan Freed (credited for coining the term “rock and roll”) instead writes imaginary stories where her vivid cast of characters live in a acoustic foundation ofÂ banjo, lap steel, mandolin and accordion. WithÂ flatpicking and strumming guru Fred Sokolow as her mentor,Â Rose holds the reins of Americana in her hands, and her voice is up to the task, too, on songs such as “Freedom Trotter” and “For My Young Lord Drake.” The two songs are just a taste of the 11-track debut ironically titled “People I Know,” which was recorded in both Nashville with Canadian triple Juno-Award winner Colin Linden (Lucinda Williams, The Band)Â and in Los Angeles where Niko Bolas mixed at his “Surf Shack” at Capitol Records. “People I Know” is slated for a Nov. 12 release. And her dog’s name is Maverick.