Celebration Through Pain: An Interview with Tasche and the Psychedelic Roses

by - February 28, 2023


For Tasche de la Rocha, New Orleans was the light at the end of the tunnel. She was just 14 years old when she first visited, helping provide relief to the Hurricane Katrina disaster. She knew becoming a resident was her end game, and knowing that became her motivation to graduate high school.

As she settled into her new city, she also settled into her career as a musician.

“New Orleans made me a musician,” she said. “I was lost in the past, singing songs to get me through life like some kind of meditation, escape. It’s New Orleans that taught me rhythm and celebration through pain. I love that and will carry that forever.”

Performing as Tasche and the Psychedelic Roses has been everything she ever dreamed of. Since releasing her self-titled album, she has taken those experiences and discovered how exactly she wants to make music moving forward.

First and foremost, she learned strategy and teamwork. She worked alongside over a dozen people who were a part of making the album, and made sure that everyone understood and could help bring her ideas to life.

She learned everything about herself. She is comfortable and confident in her creation process, and now feels the same about “taking the reins and spearheading a project into completion when my heart is in it.”

“The album I just put out was ambitious for me and I gave it everything I could,” she said. “I wanted to do one big production with all the moving parts present. I plan to make it easier for myself in the future. Every time I record, It makes the next thing seem more possible. I think a lot of people have an easier time recording albums once they have done it a few times. It’s inspiring and exciting to think about what is next.”

Some of the songs on her album date back to her teenage years, however the album itself had been a six-year-long process. She describes it as long and challenging, especially the process of leading an eight-piece band, but she found that working alongside such talent gave her the exact experience she needed.

“I was in a deep depression when we recorded our album, possibly one of the darkest times I have had in my life,” she said. “Pushing myself through it and following through while trying to stay positive was rough. The whole thing was absolutely worth it. It was cathartic to make as it releases massive darkness coated in fun. It was rewarding working with my team and giving everyone a shining moment. I feel incredibly blessed with so much gratitude. Having finished this big project is the most relieving and satisfying of all. I got to spend time with my band who are all incredibly busy people who are hard to pin down which was one of my favorite parts. I encourage people to record despite how daunting it can be. Capturing a moment in time is irreplaceable.”

The songs on the album share a central theme of unapologetic transformation. de la Rocha believes that most people connect with “Hook”, which is about not existing for anyone’s pleasure or validation. It is also about escape, which she feels like listeners really find relief in. Her favorite track these days is “Pretty Things”, which is one of her favorites to play live.

“The tempo change in the center of the song takes me to another place completely, some kind of sexy rock island with glitter caves,” she said. “It [captures] a mindscape of trying to stay strong when feeling weak and turning to a higher source to find inner power. It’s romantic, holds tension and longing but strives for independence. These are all things I enjoy and feel often. I don’t know if people relate to it as much as other songs on the album but I like the idea of it touching the few that need to hear those feelings.”

To think that one visit to New Orleans sparked an entire life journey is almost unimaginable. Tasche and the Psychedelic Roses is much more than the current project for Tasche de la Rocha. It is a never-ending love letter to the place that made her who she is today.

“New Orleans changed my life, possibly saved my life,” she said. “There are many facets of the ever-evolving music community in New Orleans. Musicians here are my family. We take care of each other and encourage each other to grow. It’s rad to see people I've known for years develop their sounds and progress. Trying to refine what I have learned in the music community here into a few sentences is complicated because there is so much. There is so much amazing music in New Orleans! Massive talent. I’m honored to be amongst it.”

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