“Dora Lee (Gravity)” by Rosetta West Is a Mythic Rock Spell That Pulls You Into Another World

“Dora Lee (Gravity)” by Rosetta West is more than just music, it is like a deep, exciting experience.

Rosetta West returns with "Dora Lee (Gravity)", a hard blues-rock song from their upcoming "Gravity Sessions". Fusing ancient goddesses with distorted guitar grit, the song is both feral and hypnotic. We caught up with the fiercely independent trio to discuss mythology, studio energy, and what keeps their sound so defiantly underground after decades in the scene.

We got a chance to interview Rosetta West for this song, and we found a lot of unspoken tales!

Let's get started:

1. What inspired the story behind "Dora Lee (Gravity)"?

   
   

   Well, basically it's the time-honored tale of a man haunted by recollections of a fleeting passionate encounter with a woman. However, the lyrics make clear that the woman may very well be a supernatural being, which raises the stakes a little, I think.

   
   

2. The video features powerful mythological figures. How did you choose them?

   
   

   I tried to focus on the dark aspect of goddesses. Hecate, the goddess of witchcraft, for example. Pazuzu is the only male supernatural entity that makes an appearance, but in spite of his famous association with the antagonist in The Exorcist movie, he is sometimes seen as a protector against some malevolent female entities. So I thought that was justified.

   
   

3. What is the symbolism behind the tank commander in the video?

   
   

   He is the uber-masculine figure - a commander of a mechanized high-speed conquering military force. But in spite of his position, he is still haunted by an equally or perhaps even more powerful female force.

   
   

4. What is your songwriting process like, especially for a track this layered?

   
   

   Well, this track isn't layered at all, if you're listening to the Gravity version (there's another version on the album Night's Cross). The Gravity version was done totally live. In terms of writing it, I honestly consider it a fairly simple song, although the bridge, guitar solo, and outro spice things up a bit. I think it's the energy in the performance that gives it magic.

   
   

5. What is the "Gravity Sessions" project all about?

   
   

   I was bonding with Mike Weaver, the drummer, over a life-and-death situation. We bonded, as usual, by playing music. We got so tight on some songs we decided we simply had to go into the studio and play them live. That's what Gravity is about.

   
   

6. Do you see this song as part of a bigger story or concept of the album?

   
   

   A lot of the songs have loss as a main theme, or at least a minor theme. Dora Lee is about the loss of an enchanting lover. So yes, I think there's a connection in the songs.

   
   

7. Can we expect more videos from "Gravity Sessions"?

   
   

   A friend of mine is very persuasively goading me to do a video for "Save Me," so that might come next. Then I'd like to move on to the next project, but who knows? Some of the other songs are begging for a video. We'll see.

   
   

8. What message, if any, do you hope listeners take away from "Dora Lee (Gravity)"?

   
   

   If you're haunted by past loves, you're not alone! It's part of life, not a handicap.