Rosita (band)
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1999 |
| Founder | Marie Du Santiago, Emmy-Kate Montrose |
| Defunct | 2001 |
| Headquarters | England |
| Products | Music (alternative rock) |
Rosita was an English alternative rock ensemble established by Marie Du Santiago and Emmy-Kate Montrose, both formerly members of Kenickie, following that band's dissolution in October 1998. Although often identified as a Kenickie spin-off, Rosita achieved distinct recognition within the UK music media. Their sophomore single, "Santa Poca's Dream," secured a spot within the Top 20 of the UK Independent Singles Chart, while the instrumental track "Demon" was utilized in a Leyland DAF Vans television commercial.
History
Upon Kenickie's disbandment, Du Santiago and Montrose envisioned a multimedia venture encompassing a record label, a clubnight event, and new musical projects. Despite the record label never materializing and the clubnight Shimmy having a brief run, their focus on creating new music ultimately led to the formation of Rosita.
The band’s first appearance occurred in March 1999 with Du Santiago handling lead vocals and rhythm guitar, Montrose on bass and backing vocals, Matt McGinn (previously Kenickie’s guitar technician) on guitar, and Paddy Pulzer (ex-Swervedriver) on drums. Keyboardist Dot Allan joined briefly but departed after their initial mini-tour.
Rosita's inaugural single, "Live It Down," was issued through Rough Trade Shop's For Us imprint. In August 1999, they recorded a five-track session for BBC Radio 1’s Evening Session and contributed the song "Sugar" to Fierce Panda’s compilation Otter Than July. The band also established an official fanclub that grew to over 100 members.
On 25 October 1999, Rosita appeared live on BBC Radio 1’s Evening Session as support for Cast at Liverpool’s Royal Court Theatre during the Sound City festival. Shortly thereafter, they signed with Zubizaretta, a subsidiary label of Grand Royal. In April 2000, they released the "Santa Poca's Dream" EP, which climbed to number 17 on the UK Indie singles chart. The instrumental piece "Demon" was featured in advertisements for Leyland DAF Vans and later used in a BBC promotional trailer for series reruns. To support the release, Rosita toured across the UK with backing from fellow Grand Royal artists Mika Bomb.
Following the collapse of Grand Royal and McGinn’s exit from the group, Rosita performed two concluding shows in 2001 with new additions Sarah McKeown on keyboards and Adrian Lobb on guitar. The band dissolved in September 2001 as members wished to explore other ventures. Du Santiago and Montrose briefly continued DJing before Du Santiago stepped away from music until joining folk outfit The Cornshed Sisters in 2007. Montrose went on to form synth trio The Pictures alongside McKeown and producer Isabel Waidner; this group performed intermittently through 2003.
Matt McGinn resumed work as a guitar technician, eventually collaborating with Coldplay, and authored his memoir Roadie in 2010.
Singles
- "Live It Down" (For Us, FU 009, 1999, exclusively 7" vinyl)
- "Live It Down"
- "If You've Heard" (also listed as "If You've Not Heard")
- Santa Poca's Dream EP (Zubizaretta, ZUB006CD, 2000; available on CD & 7" vinyl) - Reached No. 17 on the UK Indie Singles Chart
- "Santa Poca's Dream"
- "Down Here" (previously known live under the title "Waiting For You")
- "Demon" (instrumental)
Compilations
- Otter Than July (Fierce Panda, ning078cd/ning078, 1999; CD & 7" vinyl)
- "Sugar"
(also featuring tracks by Scribble, Fra
BBC Radio appearances
- Evening Session with Steve Lamacq on Radio 1, recorded 3 August 1999
- "Hey Hey Baby" (performed live on-air)
- "Santa Poca's Dream"
- "This Is Tonight"
- "Live It Down"
- "Around The Town"
- Acoustic Session featured on Radio Jupitus, GLR, summer 1999
- "Sugar"
- "Doing Fine" (also known as "Around The Town")
- Evening Session Live Concert broadcast on BBC Radio 1, 25 October 1999, recorded at the Royal Court Theatre, Liverpool
- "Sugar"
- "Santa Poca's Dream"
- "Maybe I'm Right"
- "This Is Tonight"
Additional songs
Tracks performed exclusively live or unreleased include:
- "Lying's Easy" (circa 1999)
- Cover of "Sugar Baby Love" by Rubettes (circa 1999)
- "Weepster," also referred to as "Weepy Horses" (circa 2000)
- "Stomper" (circa 2000)
- "Racing" (circa 2000)
- "The Man Don't," alternatively titled "L'Homme Pas Du Tot" (circa 2000)
- "Stay With Me" (circa 2000)
- "Good As Gold" (circa 2000)
- "Where's The Summer Gone?" (circa 2001)
- "Dance With Me" (circa 2001)
- "Road Movie" (circa 2001)
- "And The Stars Look Down" (circa 2001)
As headliners
- Santa Poca's Dream UK tour comprising seven shows between April and May 2000, with support from Mika Bomb