Gena Rose Bruce, a Melbourne-based artist affiliated with Dot Dash Recordings (home to Methyl Ethyl, Gabriella Cohen, Sui Zhen), released her praised debut album in 2019 titled “Can’t Make You Love Me.” This record was celebrated by both local and global press, garnering accolades such as NPR All Songs Considered’s Best New Music, Album Of The Week from outlets like The Sydney Morning Herald, Brisbane Times, Byte FM (Germany), and Radio 100,7 Luxembourg. Furthermore, her music was broadcast on notable stations including KEXP, KCRW, NPR, Radio X (featured on Communion Presents’ Making Waves), Reform Radio UK, Triple J, and many others. Bruce stood tall as a nominee for Best Breakthrough Act at the Music Victoria Awards, joining the ranks of artists like Tones and I and G Flip.
After the widespread acceptance of “Can’t Make You Love Me”, Bruce had an international tour on the horizon, with scheduled performances at the renowned SXSW Music Festival in the US, as well as shows in the UK and Japan. However, the pandemic took a toll, sweeping away her meticulous plans. Amidst this backdrop, she grappled with self-doubt and questioned her artistic value. In the subsequent year, she battled emotional demons as she was haunted by a recurring nightmarish vision, intensified by the loss of her partner’s mother and the uncertainties the pandemic introduced. Bruce’s 2023 album, “Deep Is the Way”, narrates her challenging journey from darkness to light, charting her confrontation with grief and personal strife, culminating in a revitalized sense of strength and determination. This musical endeavor also marked her continued collaborations and introduced an unexpected, dynamic partnership.
Sponsor:
