Ross Flora Talks Musical Journey, Debut Single ‘Cannonball’
Coming for a musical household Ross Flora’s love of music is one that is innate and unbegrudging. When Flora was a teenager he recalls having a conversation with his father, where his father outlined the way Flora can turn his love of music into so much more. Flora took his father’s advice and began searching for music that spoke to his soul, regardless of genre labels. Flora’s insistence of writing songs with true meaning sets him apart from so many others chasing down the same exact dream.
Recently we had the chance to chat with Flora about his musical background, journey, debut single, and more!
Worlds of Country
When did you know that music was the thing for you?
Ross
Pretty early on, I grew up in a musical household, for sure. And it really didn’t hit home that I was going to pursue a professional career, or that that was even an option until I was in my teens. And my dad kind of sat me down. And he was like, you know, coming from a professional musician himself, he was kind of, like, you know, you might have a future in this, if you continue to work at it, and let’s get you a plan started. So, that was around when it really hit home. I was like this could be something like a living.
Worlds of Country
So at that point, it was like, the first big step towards pursuing music?
Ross
I guess the mindset change was a big thing going from just, you know, playing in like, little bands with my friends and all that to being like, alright, well, you know, I can do this thing.
Worlds of Country
How important was it to come from that musical background that you came from, that had that support system already built in?
Ross
It was huge, I realize still how lucky I am and how blessed I was to be able to grow up in that environment. And I’d say having that encouragement all the way through, they understood what being a musician was going to be, and, you know, the, the good parts of life and the bad parts of life that came with it, and the struggles and everything. So, that was huge. It was all laid out for me pretty pretty easily, I had to experience it myself. But at the same time, I knew a lot of the struggles that were coming, and what to watch out for.
Worlds of Country
So what would you say have been some of the bigger lessons you’ve learned on this journey?
Ross
One of the big lessons would be don’t rush yourself, in terms of your musical maturity, go with it, enjoy what you’re enjoying at the time, but continue to grow, that’s the biggest thing. That’s what keeps me out of getting in a rut, you know, and stuff just got to continue to be a sponge and continue to pick up on things and learn new things along the way. And that’s what’s so much fun about this journey for me. But that’s a big lesson.
Worlds of Country
How would you describe your musical style for people that haven’t heard you?
Ross
I’d say the best way would be a combination of all the influences that have come to me. I really resonated with a lot, a lot of country. Rock and roll, obviously. And then I was raised in bluegrass background very early, and then I’ve got a lot of soul music was kind of the what changed me kind of whenever I started, like approaching it professionally, I was like, I really started digging into soul music. And just, I mean, soul music can be any genre. I feel like it doesn’t have to be you know, I listen to Jamie Johnson like this soul music to me and like Jason Isbell. That’s soul music, but just in a country or Americana format. And the same thing goes with rock and roll.
Worlds of Country
Can you tell us the story behind your new single, Cannonball?
Ross
Well, that was actually one of songs I’ve ever written. It was kind of one of those it just fell from the sky and was like you just got to try to get it down as fast as possible like one line after another was just seeing the flow and it was definitely one of those songs where it’s the complete opposite side where it’s a struggle. It means something that Cannonball was just one of those songs just like say just kind of fell out, I came up with a guitar riff, that little riff that I’ve got on that song. I was like that kind of sounds like an engine and that sounds like something rolling down a hill, you know, just a lopsided turn, just picking up speed coming down a hill. And I was like, I wonder, you know, and then I was like, oh, what? Cannonball and then, it kind of just came from that. And then my favorite things to write about are, you know, cars and motorcycles and, you know, guns and, you know, running from the cops, you know. So it just kind of just fell into place. I was like, Oh, I can write this song.
