Meet Rowan, White Rock’s Singer-Songwriter to Watch

Every once in a while, you meet someone who is so young and talented that you immediately start wondering whether you’re witnessing the beginning of something really special.

That was exactly my reaction after sitting down with Rowan for this episode of Best of White Rock.

Rowan is an 18-year-old singer-songwriter from White Rock who recently released her first single, “Poison Apple,” and if this is what she’s creating at the beginning of her journey, I can only imagine what the next few years will look like.

Spoiler alert: probably very exciting.

From Busking on the Promenade to Releasing Original Music

Like many great musical journeys, Rowan’s started with a little inspiration.

At just eight years old, she watched Grace VanderWaal perform on America's Got Talent and was instantly hooked.

She bought a ukulele, started teaching herself to play, and before long was busking around White Rock and local markets.

Yes, while most kids were spending their weekends on trampolines or glued to video games, Rowan was standing in public with a ukulele and a tip jar.

That alone takes a level of courage most adults never find.

The money she earned busking eventually paid for her first guitar.

That’s when things got serious.

Writing Songs Before Most People Learn to Drive

Rowan started writing original music when she was just 11 years old.

Let that sink in for a moment.

At 11, I was mostly concerned about whether my bike tires had enough air and whether I’d be home in time for dinner.

Rowan was crafting melodies and writing stories.

And that’s exactly how she thinks about songwriting.

Not just as lyrics, but as storytelling.

“Beginning, middle, end. There’s a climax,” she told me.

That approach is part of what makes her music so compelling.

The Story Behind “Poison Apple”

Rowan wrote “Poison Apple” when she was 15.

The song was inspired by a breakup, but rather than simply journaling her emotions, she turned it into a story about knowingly stepping into something that isn’t good for you.

Which, if we’re being honest, is something almost everyone can relate to.

Whether it’s a relationship, a bad habit, or that second piece of cheesecake you definitely didn’t need.

The song carries a moody, cinematic quality that immediately reminded me of Lana Del Rey, one of Rowan’s biggest influences.

That comparison felt even more fitting when Rowan shared that Lana Del Rey is her favorite artist, alongside inspirations like Amy Winehouse, Billie Eilish, and Nina Simone.

Not a bad list to draw inspiration from.

How Rowan Writes Music

One of the things I found fascinating was hearing Rowan describe her songwriting process.

She usually starts with the music first, picking up her guitar and experimenting with chord progressions until something clicks.

From there, the melody arrives, then the lyrics.

Her phone is full of voice memos with snippets of songs, random chord ideas, and lyrics waiting for their moment.

Some become full songs.

Others sit quietly in the digital attic.

And sometimes, when she gets into what athletes call a “flow state,” she can write one or two songs in a single sitting.

That’s when the magic happens.

Releasing Music to the World

By the time Rowan decided to release her first single, she had roughly 20 original songs to choose from.

That’s not a typo.

Twenty.

After recording at Lemonade Music, she selected “Poison Apple” as her debut release.

From there, she navigated the world of music distribution, publicists, playlists, and social media promotion.

In other words, she discovered that making the song is only half the battle.

The other half is getting people to hear it.

Music That Means Something

One thing Rowan said really stood out to me.

“I feel like a lot of the new music is very performative.”

What she meant is that some artists create songs based on what they think people want to hear.

Rowan is trying to do the opposite.

She wants her music to be raw, honest, and meaningful.

And that authenticity comes through.

When you listen to “Poison Apple,” it doesn’t feel manufactured.

It feels personal.

It feels real.

And that’s what makes people want to listen again.

Creating Opportunities for Other Young Musicians

As if writing and releasing original music wasn’t enough, Rowan is also helping create opportunities for other young artists in the community.

She organizes Youth Unplugged, a youth open mic night held at Redrum Records in White Rock.

It’s a chance for young musicians to perform, gain confidence, and connect with others who share the same passion.

You can learn more on Instagram at @youthxunplugged.

I absolutely love seeing young people not only chase their own dreams, but create space for others to do the same.

What’s Next for Rowan?

Rowan is currently working toward releasing a six-song EP filled with original music.

If “Poison Apple” is any indication, there is a lot to look forward to.

You can listen to Rowan’s music and follow her journey on Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube at @rowanxmusic.

Trust me, this is one artist you’ll want to say you discovered early.

Want to Be Featured on Best of White Rock?

I love sharing stories like Rowan’s because they remind us just how much talent, creativity, and heart exists in our community.

If you’re a local business owner, entrepreneur, artist, or community leader with a story worth telling, I’d love to hear from you.

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