Girl rockers lately have been becoming more prevalent in the music industry quicker than you can utter "Avril Lavigne." But unlike the Canadian crooner, nineteen year-old Rose Falcon has a real musical history that rivals those twice her age. Growing up in a New York City household with the sounds of her legendary father, Billy Falcon, who's worked with the likes of Jon Bon Jovi and Stevie Nicks, Rose picked up songwriting at an early age. "I couldn't do anything that I wanted to do without my father. He taught me everything about the music industry," proclaims Falcon.

     And the talent is in the genes, as Rose proves on her self-titled debut release. An eclectic mix of pop-driven ballads and upbeat numbers, the album has been referred to as the "soundtrack of your life." Does Rose mind being lumped in as another girl with a guitar? "No, because to me, a 'rocker chick' is someone who isn't afraid, who is straight-up, honest and real, someone who does things her own way. She's also someone who likes to have fun." She came, she said, she sang, she conquered. What's not to love?

     Rose's music may be subtlety familiar -- if you've caught her video airing on the Disney channel, or even seen her music featured in recent JCPenney television campaigns, then her songs might just be that catchy tune stuck in your head. Here, we bring you another mygtmagazine.com exclusive interview, as we discover the vulnerable side of Rose, her feelings about American Idol, and what it was like filming her first music video...

gt.com: it's amazing to see a young artist writing nearly all the songs on her debut release. was it difficult to gain and maintain that control, or was the record company supportive?

ROSE: They were extremely supportive which is cool. It's mainly because of my A&R lady (Artist & Repertoire Representative), who is a very successful woman. She discovered Destiny's Child and Jessica Simpson, the [the record company] trusts her opinion. We had a lot of freedom. I mean, the record was shorter than I would have liked it to have been, but it had nothing to do with them not wanting the songs I wanted.

gt.com: tell me about your first single, the catchy "Up, Up, Up."

ROSE: Well, it was originally written specifically for the Inspector Gadget 2 movie. It was really a blessing, because I hadn't even written it until three months before my record came out, and it's really the song that's doing it for me right now! It's a really positive song, it's about never giving up and not letting all the bad things in life that happen slow you down. Because I hate getting knocked down, especially in the music business! ::laughs::

gt.com: understandable! one of you largest support systems is your father, who is also a musician. how has his support inspired you?

ROSE: I couldn't do anything that I wanted to do without my father. He taught me how to write songs. He also taught me everything I need to know about the music business and even everything I need to know about life! I feel like I owe everything to him. When I see him and how good of a songwriter he is and how he started when he was nineteen and I when I was twelve, I think maybe one day I could be like that. He's a brilliant songwriter, he can write a song in like five minutes!

gt.com: amazing! but not only do you write your songs, you play a part in the making of the music, as well. when did you pick up that guitar-playing talent?

ROSE: I think it was about a year after I started writing songs, at about thirteen, is when I started playing the guitar. But it's very hard for me -- the guitar doesn't come naturally for me, like singing and songwriting does. It's an effort. I mean, I struggle so much. But I love to do it, and I feel so much more comfortable on stage when I get to play the guitar!

gt.com: the song "Looks Are Everything" on your debut album has a strong message. why did you feel compelled to write and record this track?

ROSE: It was the first song that my dad and I ever wrote together. I was really young, but I'm still going through this, the whole high school thing. I felt I was never good enough; I was really insecure, and that's what the song is about. It's about seeing images of perfect people in your everyday life, watching television, reading magazines, etc. Even when you go to school -- you feel inadequate. And I think a lot of girls feel like that, because none of the stuff you see in magazines and on television is real, you know? But you compare yourself.

gt.com: it has a great message behind it. have you ever thought of releasing that song?

ROSE: I really want to re-do it and put it out. It was the first song on the album that we recorded, so it just had a different feel. If we were to re-do it, I'd definitely want to put it out there.

gt.com: that would rock! so tell us, who -- or what -- else gives you inspiration when writing lyrics?

ROSE: My songs are extremely personal, so it's really from my everyday life. These songs, I'm not going to lie, are all pretty much true and are all about me, my friends, my life. So it's really not that hard. I wanted to write songs that other people could be like, "Hey, you felt that? I felt that, too!"

gt.com: absolutely! the tracks on this album, for the most part, are uplifting and optimistic. is that a clear description of where you are at this point of your life?

ROSE: Definitely, yeah. I'm at a really great point in my life right now where things can only get better. But that's half the battle, positive thinking.

gt.com: okay, so what do you think of the current state of top 40 music?

ROSE: No matter what music is out, I always find something to like. I never want to say, "Oh, I don't like this kind of music. Everything is crappy right now." I always find something I like, rather than focusing on something I don't like. There's a lot of good stuff on the radio! People like to say, "Pop music don't have any talent." I don't think that's true at all. I mean, people don't make it that far without having any talent.

gt.com: since you are a new artist, making a video must've been a new experience for you. was it everything you expected?

ROSE: It was so awesome, because my best friend went with me, and we just had a great time. It was filmed in Toronto. It was really long, twenty-two hours! I was so tired by the end, but everybody was so great. It was fun!

gt.com: you wrote the song "Best Friend" about your mother, who died when you were young. how difficult was it recording such a personal song?

ROSE: There was one time when I really broke down when I was singing it. Other than that, you kind of separate yourself from it while you're singing it. But it's a really special song to me, and I had to have it on there. I feel like if people are going to know me, then they have to understand that part of my life. I rarely get too upset about her, because she died when I was four. It's pretty much been my dad and I throughout my life. The song is basically about missing that connection between a mother and a daughter. I'd see my friends when I was growing up, and they'd have their moms. It'd make me sad sometimes, because I'd wish I had someone to go shopping with. Someone to teach me how to put on makeup. But my life's definitely the way God planned it!

gt.com: that's the truth! so, do you listen to your own CD while driving in your car, or is that too weird?

ROSE: ::laughs:: That's actually a very good question, and sometimes I do...I'm not going to lie! Especially if I'm sad, I'll listen to "Up, Up, Up." But, I don't usually get into the slow tracks. When I'm with my friends, they love to sing along. They ask to hear it! I would never turn it on when we're in the car and be like, "Hey, let's listen to my CD!" When I was at Disneyland last week, they had Radio Disney, which is the only station that "Up, Up, Up" is playing on right now. So, we were able to hear "Up, Up, Up" a bunch of times, and it was cool to hear it on the radio!

gt.com: speaking of compact discs, what kind of music is spinning in your CD player right now?

ROSE: I got the new Pete York CD, which I love -- it's awesome! I just got Coldplay, which I also really love. No Doubt, I love that song "Running." Patty Griffins, which a lot of people who listen to pop music may not know, but she's an amazing artist. I've always liked John Mayer. I'm going to see him in concert for my birthday!

gt.com: agreed, John Mayer is amazing! on the topic of musical idols, what's your take on the whole American Idol phenomenon? would you have tried out if you didn't have a record deal?

ROSE: I think it's good to see people that have a lot of talent that usually wouldn't get a chance. It's interesting to see that! I, personally, would never have tried out for American Idol. I understand about record deals and all that, so I would not have tried out. I wanted to do the work myself, too.

gt.com: who was your favorite contestant for the second season?

ROSE: I think Trenyce had a really great voice, but I also liked Ruben. I did like all of them, though, because they all had such good personalities. In normal circumstances, you don't get to know your popstars that well right off the bat. But, with American Idol, you were able to see their real personalities.

gt.com: that's true! do you have any plans to go to college or are you putting that on hold?

ROSE: If you know what you want to do, like be a teacher or a doctor, it's like all about college. But for me right now, my dad could probably teach me the most important stuff I need to know about this career. But maybe one day, it's not definitely out of the question.

gt.com: what do you hope people will take from this record?

ROSE: I want them to think of it as a friend. When they listen to it or when they're having a hard time, I want them to think "This is cool, because someone else has been through what I'm going through." Sometimes that's all you need to get you through, knowing someone else has been there. I'm always on my message board talking to fans, because I want to be everyone's friend. I want them to know that I'm opening up my heart to them.

gt.com: great to hear that, it's a rarity. what advice would you give to those who are aiming for stardom?

ROSE: I always give Luke 11:9 -- "And I say unto you, Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you." It's a matter of persistence in anything you do. Your guaranteed success always if you never give up. If you can't persist, then what's the point?

gt.com: good point. as they say, "persistence pays off." good luck, Rose. we look forward to your blooming career!

watch her career bloom! check out
Rose's official site at: www.rosefalcon.com!