Autumn Rowe

Autumn Rowe (born May 25, 1981), is an American singer-songwriter, TV personality, DJ and Activist from South Bronx, New York. In 2011 She wrote the song 'Happiness', with producers Stargate and Deadmau5, which FIFA named the official Song of the 2011 FIFA Women's World Cup in Germany.[1] In 2015 Rowe signed an artist deal with Ultra Records[2] and in 2018 Rowe began performing publicly as the DJ AFTR PRTY.[3] In early 2020, she wrote and performed vocals on the Drum ’n' Bass song 'Good To Me', by British DJ Friction.[4] In 2020, Rowe began to use her platform for activism and co-wrote the song 'We Are' with friend and artist Jon Batiste, which was used on the "Mask Up America" Campaign.[5]

Autumn Rowe
Background information
Birth nameAutumn Rowe
Also known asAFTR PRTY
Born (1981-05-25) May 25, 1981
OriginBronx, New York City United States
GenresPop, Hip hop
Occupation(s)
  • Singer
  • Songwriter
  • Record producer
  • Vocal Coach
  • TV personality
  • Activist
Years active2003–present
LabelsSteller Songs, Stargate Productions, EMI UK, Star Roc/Roc Nation/Sony, Ultra Records, Sony ATV
Associated actsAlexis Jordan, Jon Batiste, Kylie Minogue, Ava Max, Grace Vanderwaal, Leona Lewis, Friction
Websitewww.autumnrowe.com

Early life and education

Born and raised in the South Bronx and born at Beth Israel Hospital, Rowe grew up on Prospect Avenue in Mott Haven. Rowe went to high school in Times Square NY, where she was enrolled in the gifted and talented program.[6] While a student, Rowe performed in four choirs, performing at places like Radio City Music Hall after school in a show called the British Rock Symphony.[2] Rowe states, "The singing definitely came before the songwriting. I didn’t know I could write songs at first. I was always into writing poems and short stories, but it took me a while to figure out I could write songs."[2]

At age 16, Rowe interned at Island Records and met different artists during her brief time there. A year later, she decided managing a label was not as exciting as performing and pursued the more creative aspect of music.[6]

Music career

Songwriting (2009–2013)

Rowe's first co-writing credit came when she signed a development deal with producer Swizz Beats who played one of her original songs to British soul artist Estelle. Estelle decided to re-write parts of the song for her own project, keeping Rowe's chorus and writing new verses around it. That was Rowe's first experience of co-writing with an artist.[7]

In 2009, Rowe signed with B-Room/Water Music Publishing, which led her to a joint publishing deal with Steller Songs/Stargate Productions/EMI UK.[8]  In 2010 Rowe wrote the song 'Rockstar' for Eva Simmons, which Rowe cites as being the beginning for her when it came to writing for major label artist.[7] She then did a collaboration with Alexis Jordan, and their song 'Happiness' became the FIFA Women's World Cup theme in 2011.[1] During an interview with Rowe stated, "Alexis Jordan's 'Happiness' is really significant, because it was my first hit and gave me my break in the industry."[2] Rowe also wrote Jordan's second and third singles from her debut album, namely, 'Good Girl', and 'Hush Hush'.

In 2011 Rowe co-wrote the pop single 'Hello' with duo Karmin, Stargate and Claude Kelly. Rowe also collaborated with British artist Cher Lloyd on the multi-platinum single 'Swagger Jagger'. In the same year, Rowe met X-factor winner Alexandra Burke and began working on her album. Rowe also began writing with Leona Lewis and collaborated on her 2011 single 'Collide' with Avicii, which peaked at number 4 on the UK singles chart, and her 2013 single 'Your Hallelujah'.[9] In 2013, Rowe also wrote the track 'Don't Wanna Dance Alone' which was the first track of Fifth Harmony's debut EP Better together.

Songwriting (2014–2020)

In 2014 Rowe wrote 'Sexy Love' with Cutfather and Wayne Hector in a writing camp in Copenhagen. The song was later recorded by Kylie Minogue and featured on her Kiss Me Once Album.[4] The same year Rowe co-wrote 'Superbad' with Jesse McCartney for his in Technicolor EP. Continuing her collaborations with America's Got Talent contestant Grace Vaderwaal, Rowe co-wrote her 2016 single 'Gossip Girl' as well as 'Light the Sky' and 'Clay'.

Over the next few years Rowe collaborated with other artists including  The Knocks, Alex Newell, Lindsey Stirling, RuthAnne, Dua Lipa, Pitbull, the The Saturdays, P!nk, Kacy Hill and Lindsey Stirling. Rowe co-wrote the song Love's Just a Feeling from Lindsay Stirling's album Brave Enough.[10] She wrote and performed on 'Give A Little' by American pop band The Hot Damns.

Rowe also wrote the song Salt for artist Ava Max, which was released on Max's debut album Heaven & Hell.[11] In 2020, Rowe revealed she had been collaborating with long time friend Jon Batiste on his singe 'We Are' a song that Rowe cites as being "very special" to her and was used for the official ''Mask Up America'' campaign.[4] In November 2020 Rowe announced via social media that she had collaborated with producer Future Cut on a song called 'Why Don't You Love Me' which had been recorded by Dua Lipa and FKA Twigs and was teased on Lipa's live stream entitled "Studio 2054". In 2017, Rowe collaborated with her now close friend Leona Lewis on Pitbull's new single "Only Ones To Know (featuring Leona Lewis)".[9]

Autumn Band

In 2003 Rowe formed a band called Rowe band, with herself as the lead singer. In 2005 The band worked with Swizz Beats, who mentored her which led to a collaboration in 2007 with Bone Thugs-n-Harmony where Rowe sang on 'Candy Paint' produced by Swizz Beats.

In 2006, Rowe released the EP Sunshine, whose title song was later used in the soundtrack for the film My Last Day Without You.[12] In 2012 Rowe performed with French Rapper Disiz on the song Best Day, which was released via Def Jam Records in France.

In 2015 Rowe signed an artist deal with Ultra Records,[2] releasing her debut single 'If I Don't Have You' which charted at 10 on the Deep House EDM Chart the same year.[13] In 2018, Rowe began performing publicly as the DJ AFTR PRTY.[3]

Vocal coaching

In 2012 Rowe became vocal coach on Fox's The X Factor USA, where she coached and wrote for acts like Fifth Harmony, Beatrice Miller and Carly Rose Sonenclar. From 2013 to 2017, Rowe served as the vocal coach on NBC Network's America's Got Talent, where she remained from season 8 – season 12, as the only vocal coach on the show and worked with winners Darci Lynne and Grace VanderWaal.[3]

Stepping away from vocal coaching on TV talent shows, Rowe was invited to judge on various song writing competitions including the Music Is the Universal Cure Song competition and the Ascap Peggy Lee Songwriter Competition.[14]

Activism

As a coach and advocate for artists and songwriters, Rowe took the position of co-director for the Corona Virus Songwriter Emergency Relief Fund in 2020, offering grants to support songwriters through the pandemic,[15] following an unprecedented charitable contribution of two hundred and fifty thousand dollars from Sony ATV’s chairman, Jon Platt.

As a Black and Jewish songwriter,bRowe later began to use her unique social platform for activism, with a primary focus on the fight against racism and antisemitism, telling BBC Newsbeat in June 2020; "The fact is I am a black person, I can also be a Jewish person, I can also be a woman and a vegan, but no matter what, you can't take away from me that I'm a black person and you cannot take away my experience." In the same article, Rowe calls upon her fellow industry colleagues to play their role in the fight against all kinds of racism, stating; "as artists and writers, we have a way to communicate to the entire world – we have the platform of music – it's a universal language." Around the same time, Rowe joined songwriter Jocelyn Alice to create an internet show called The Conversation, a show which discusses the personal experiences of racism within friendships and also the music industry.[16]

Style and influences

Rowe grew up listening to DJs through her bedroom window in the South Bronx. "There was always music around me," Rowe expressed. Her prized possession was her mother's music collection, which she would listen to daily.[6]

Rowe has cited Stevie Wonder, Michael Jackson, Mariah Carey, and TLC among her inspirations, and described her musical taste as being super diverse.[6] She loves Massive Attack, Everything but the girl, Kanye and Hozier, with Muse being her favorite band.[2] Rowe enjoys emotive lyrics and music that makes you feel something whether it's in the club or in your heart.[2]

Personal life

Rowe married Even Stenvold Tysse in Norway in 2019 and currently lives in Los Angeles.[4] Outside of music, Rowe is a fan of animals, cooking and vintage clothes. Rowe says, "I have to go to the zoo in every country I’m in, I enjoy cooking and finding vintage clothing gems in random shops. I would really love to meet a sloth if that matters at all."[2] Rowe is of Jewish heritage.[16]

Discography

All credits adapted from Discogs.com.[17] and Spotify

References
  1. "FIFA and Sony Music Entertainment Select "Happiness" by Alexis Jordan as FIFA Women's World Cup 2011™ Official Song – Sony Music". Sony Music Entertainment. May 19, 2011. Retrieved December 4, 2020.
  2. "Autumn Rowe – "If I Don't Have You" + Exclusive Interview – Noiseporn". Retrieved December 9, 2020.
  3. "Autumn Rowe At Mondo.NYC 2020". Mondo. Retrieved December 9, 2020.
  4. AutumnRowe.com. "Interview". AutumnRowe.com. Retrieved December 9, 2020.
  5. "Autumn Rowe At Mondo.NYC 2020". Mondo. Retrieved December 9, 2020.
  6. Wirsing, Robert. "Bronx born singer-songwriter releases first single from upcoming debut EP". Bronx Times. Retrieved December 9, 2020.
  7. "Women's History Month: Autumn Rowe – GRUNGECAKE". grungecake.com. Retrieved December 9, 2020.
  8. Davis, Mari. "THE X FACTOR Finals Behind the Scenes Team: Autumn Rowe". FashionWindows Blog. Retrieved December 9, 2020.
  9. "Autumn Rowe, Stephan Moccio grace new album by Leona Lewis". Hamada Mania Music Blog. February 4, 2014. Retrieved December 11, 2020.
  10. "Lindsey Stirling premieres "Love's Just a Feeling" music video". Hamada Mania Music Blog. March 6, 2017. Retrieved December 9, 2020.
  11. AutumnRowe.com. "NEWS". AutumnRowe.com. Retrieved December 9, 2020.
  12. Sunshine by Autumn Rowe, retrieved December 9, 2020
  13. "New Song: Autumn Rowe – 'If I Don't Have You' – That Grape Juice". thatgrapejuice.net. Retrieved December 9, 2020.
  14. "ASCAP Announces Inaugural Peggy Lee Songwriter Award Winners: Michael Blum And Jenna Lotti « American Songwriter". American Songwriter. July 21, 2020. Retrieved December 9, 2020.
  15. "SONA Launches Songwriter Pandemic Emergency Relief Fund: How to Apply". www.billboard.com. May 15, 2020. Retrieved December 9, 2020.
  16. "Wiley anti-Semitism: 'How it feels to be black and Jewish'". BBC News. July 28, 2020. Retrieved December 9, 2020.
  17. "Autumn Rowe". discogs.com. Retrieved February 22, 2017.
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