We had the good fortune of connecting with Autumn Rowe and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Autumn, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
I started my publishing company “Honest Songs Music and Lyrics” late in my pregnancy. It was a long dream to becoming a publisher and develop fellow writers and producers. I also want to share everything I learned, all my mistakes and all my wins with a new generation. My company is a JV partnership with Spirit Music Group. It’s a unique opportunity being signed to someone like me because I open up all my contacts to my roster. This Is over 20 years of relationships which I give my writers access to. There were so many things I had to learn the hard way. I wish someone helped me with them but many of these things you would only know if you were a writer in the room yourself.

Smiling woman with curly hair making a peace sign at a DJ booth surrounded by flowers and a VIP sign.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I started pursuing music at 16 years old. What sets me apart from others is my drive but also my pivot. I can wear a lot of hats and see opportunities where some may not. I think I’m good at discovering talent and recognizing when someone has that extra thing we can’t quite put our finger on to turn that talent into a career. I started our as an intern for Island Black Music in high school while in 4 choirs and I’m currently a Grammy Winning music creative. It’s been an incredibly long journey to say the least. Challenges like trying to get your songs heard while working a bunch of jobs. Finally having success as a writer but artists getting dropped or your point person at a punishing company gets fired. The challenges don’t end but how they affect you can change. I learned this industry is a lifestyle, it’s not a 9 – 5. With that said you need to find a way to be in it and still have a life! Years and years of hustling 7 days a week, flying all over the world, developing artists for free.. there comes a point where that no longer works for you. This doesn’t mean you stop you just change what it looks like for you at this moment in my life. I’m a new mom now and nothing tops that. Being a mom has shifted my priorities and woken me up to my potential. I have so much more to do and offer the world and some of that looks very different than what I’ve done in the past. We must keep evolving and growing and stay honest to where we are in life. You can say I’m writing less songs but building more than ever. This might be the most creative I’ve ever been but I’m using this gift for more big picture opportunities.

Woman in a patterned dress stands in a music studio with microphones and equipment, hands on hips, looking down.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Hmmm I went from a South Bronx girl to a Valley girl, go figure! Let’s go for a massage at Burke Williams in Sherman oaks and enjoy the spa for a few hours then see a movie upstairs. We must go to Lake Balboa park, on a swan boat ride. Pantages theater always has something good happening, gotta see a show. Just discovered Inn of the seventh ray in Topanga on my birthday, new favorite restaurant. This is a must. Mini golf in Sherman oaks, then cafe marmalade can be fun and super chill.
Gotta do some vintage shopping in studio city on Ventura blvd, it up wasteland, crossroads and Coffee and Plants for a pick me up then lunch at hope cafe or Lalas . Is it obvious I Love the valley?

Person standing in recording studio with microphone, music stand, and piano, reflected in glass window, dim lighting, wooden floor.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I’d like to Shout Out SONA (Song Writers of North America) for their endless fight when it comes to songwriters and our worth. There is no music business with out songs.

Website: https://autumnrowe.com

Instagram: autumnrowe

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/autumn-rowe-594125b2/?skipRedirect=true

Twitter: autumnrowemusic

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/autumn.rowe

Two people stand at microphones, one reading from a paper, with a blue and black background.

Woman sitting on the floor with children, surrounded by toys and books, in a home setting with stairs in background.

Image Credits
Jen Rosenstein

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutLA is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.