Rosie and the Goldbug
| Company type | Independent |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 2007 |
| Headquarters | Cornwall , England |
| Products | Music albums, EPs, singles |
Rosie and the Goldbug was an indie-rock trio from Cornwall, England, established in 2007. The lineup consisted of vocalist and keyboard player Rosie Vanier, guitarist and bassist Lee "Pixie" Matthews, drummer and guitarist Joseph "Bubs" Taylor, with former drummer Sarah "Plums" Morgan having been part of the group earlier.
Formation and debut period (2007–2009)
The band originated in Cornwall after Rosie Vanier returned home following her music studies at Roehampton University, initiating the project. Their name, "Goldbug," draws inspiration from a tale by Edgar Allan Poe. Vanier was raised in Bodmin Moor within a musically inclined family, as her parents were folk artists. Lee "Pixie" Matthews, who played bass and guitar, grew up in a beachside caravan with parents who embraced a hippie-surfer lifestyle. Sarah "Plums" Morgan, the drummer, had experience performing with a Japanese drumming group. Matthews and Morgan had previously worked together during their university years before joining forces with Vanier.
The group quickly built a strong reputation performing live in Cornwall and broadened their exposure by supporting Cyndi Lauper on a European tour in 2008. They released their work through Lover Records, managed by their own team, opting for independence rather than signing with a major label to preserve their artistic integrity and raw sound. Writing sessions included collaborations with Marcella Detroit and the Glasgow-based band El Presidente. Their initial EP and full-length album were produced by Jim Eliot from the electropop duo Kish Mauve.
Hiatus and solo ventures (2009–2014)
Although the band received favorable media attention, internal management conflicts caused a pause in their activities. On 14 August 2009, they announced on MySpace that "Rosie and the Goldbug are over," expressing disappointment but not elaborating on the circumstances.
Plans were underway for a second album in the United States under new management. Meanwhile, Vanier pursued a solo path, releasing her first solo EP in November 2010. She continued collaborating with bassist Lee "Pixie" Matthews, and in 2013 they toured as "Rosie and the Vandals," joined by guitarist Rich Searby and drummer Joseph "Bubs" Taylor. In 2014, under the name Lightknife, they released the Bad in Love EP.
Vanier later reflected that despite these changes in band identity, the essence of Rosie and The Goldbug was never completely abandoned; she described feeling creatively stifled for a period.
Reunion phase (2014–2015)
Following a contract with Public Records toward the end of 2014, Rosie and the Goldbug—now featuring Vanier alongside Matthews on bass and Taylor on drums—resumed producing new material. Their single "Running In The Dark," recorded at The Cube studio near Truro with producer Gareth Young, was launched in May 2015.
Reception
The band’s fusion of electronic elements with rock earned them comparisons such as "Kate Bush on crack with Goldfrapp on synths," emphasizing Vanier’s powerful vocal capabilities. Q Magazine characterized their sound as blending influences from Siouxsie & The Banshees, Cyndi Lauper, and Kate Bush, enhanced by synthesizers that complemented Vanier’s unique voice. Simon Price of The Independent described their style as "drama-pop" reminiscent of more adventurous musical eras, highlighting Vanier’s classical vocal training and her adaptable piano skills across various styles. NME complimented Morgan’s drumming as "primal yet refined," while Clash magazine recognized them as one of the indie scene’s most exciting acts, labeling their music as intensely passionate.
Line-up
- Rosie Vanier – lead vocals, piano, synthesizers, Wurlitzer
- Lee "Pixie" Matthews – bass guitar, guitar, backing vocals
- Former member: Sarah "Plums" Morgan – drums, backing vocals
- Joseph "Bubs" Taylor – drums, guitar, backing vocals
Albums
- 2008 – Rosie and the Goldbug
EPs
- 2008 – War of the Roses (Because You Said So)
Singles
- 2008 – "Lover"
- 2008 – "Butterfly"
- 2008 – "You've Changed"
- 2009 – "Heartbreak"
External links
- Rosie and the Goldbug discuss Cyndi Lauper and Gwen Stefani: interview featured on the ITN Music News YouTube channel
- Rosie and the Goldbug, featured on BBC Cornwall
- New single from Rosie, interview on BBC Cornwall
- Rosie and The Vandals, live performance review of Vanier's 2013 lineup