Described by CLASH as “carefully etched indie folk”, she delivers songs that have a newfound sense of honesty, holding space for all of life’s beauty and messiness. Her storytelling is like a close friend, offering heady ruminations on love, loss, and alienation while giving gentle echoes of courage and empowerment. Inspired by the strong storytelling sensibilities of 60s folk icons, Rowena’s been dubbed a “lyrical assassin” by the Australian triple j community, over a sound best filed as indie rock, garage pop, and alt-folk.

Growing up in the small surf town of 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. As a performer Rowena is center stage, delivering her songs with raw, understated power. Her depth and relatability quickly draw the listener in over breezy guitar work and conversational lyricism.