Inspired by the strong storytelling sensibilities of 60s folk icons, Rowena Wise is a sharp lyricist who finds truths in fiction. Exploring themes of love, alienation and self-empowerment, her output is best filed as indie rock, garage pop and alt-folk, marking her as a rising talent who could soon be on a par with the likes of Aldous Harding, Courtney Barnett and Julia Jacklin.
Originally hailing from the surf town of Margaret River, Western Australia, Rowena Wise travelled extensively as a kid to perform in her family band. Her mother a folk musician from Chicago and her father a luthier who built her custom guitars, Rowena had a deep love for music instilled in her from a young age. Now based in Naarm/Melbourne and with a burgeoning reputation as a live performer, Rowena’s new music has a newfound sense of honesty, holding space for all of life’s beauty and messiness.
Growing up in Margaret River, Western Australia, Rowena was surrounded by music from an early age. Her father, a luthier, built her custom acoustic and electric guitars, while her mother, a folk musician from Chicago, instilled in her a love of music that would shape her career. Rowena travelled and performed from a young age as part of a family band, before moving to Melbourne at the age of 18 to pursue her own music.
Rowena’s music defies easy categorization, with elements of indie rock, garage pop, and alt-folk all present in her sound. Her lyrics explore themes of love, alienation, and self-empowerment, delivered with a candid, understated power. A lover of poetry and melancholic wordplay, Rowena’s performances are marked by a depth and relatability that has earned her a devoted fanbase and critical acclaim.