In the Rua’s debut album Essence, the Brown siblings—22-year-old Roseanna (voice and guitar), 24-year-old Alanna (piano and backing vocals) and 19-year-old Jonathan (violin, guitar, vocals and backing vocals) — play to their strengths. The classically trained musicians, who all had piano, voice and violin lessons as small children, “know each other inside out” — and it shows in their music. Although their sound evokes the musical stylings of Fleetwood Mac and another famed pop-rock band from Ireland, the Corrs, the Rua’s tightly crafted lyrics and sonic arrangements are undeniably their own.

Hometown and Residence:

We were all born in Hillingdon, North London, but we all grew up in the Windsor area which is just outside London and where the Queen lives. We all still live in Windsor together.

Where does the name the Rua come from?

Originally we wanted something that showed we were family. Our surname Brown didn't have quite the right ring so we looked at words in Gaelic and found “rua.” We thought this meant brown, but when we found out this wasn't completely correct we went searching for another meaning and came across “ruah” meaning “essence of a group” in Hebrew, which we think is cool and reflects us. Then we just decided to take off the “h” at the end and put a “the” in front and there you have it “the rua.”

Who decided to form a band and write pop songs first?

About four to five years ago it just seemed to evolve with us. Even though we were classically trained, we used to write songs individually when we were younger and then started to come together to help each other. Doing this, we found it helped our songwriting grow and also performing together came naturally.

Tell us the truth: Do you like comparisons to the Corrs because you're siblings and are of Irish descent?

Why wouldn't we? They have achieved so much and we grew up listening to them. We aren't exactly the same in the style of music that comes across but it's great to have the comparison.

Who are your biggest musical influences?

We all like Fleetwood Mac, The Corrs, Taylor Swift, Bruno Mars and many more, but we also like different artists and genres too. Alanna likes Clean Bandit, Ella eyre and Ed Sheeran; Roseanna likes U2, Green Day and Paramore; Jonathan likes Frank Sinatra, Adele and Maroon 5.There are so many talented people out there.  We think it’s evident in our writing, our sound and our songs that we appreciate them all and all have an input into influencing us.

Who did you listen to growing up?

Jonathan: We all grew up listening to different types of music, but personally I listened to Frank Sinatra. I love his voice and when I was younger I always listened to him going to sleep.

When you’re writing songs, what comes first, the words or the music?

It can depend on who starts a song, but generally someone would sit down at the piano and come up with some chords and then the melody and words follow. Although sometimes you see one of us at random times hold their phone up to their mouths and hum some melodies into it for later.

What inspires your songwriting?

There are a range of things that inspire us, some songs are from a personal and emotional point of view and other songs are from completely random things. For example, “Stand Out” is a close and emotional songs to us. It is inspired by an amazing woman who was basically part of our family. She suffered from cancer for many years. Yet she always managed to look out for everyone else and worry about them with complete selflessness. She saw the best in you even if you couldn't see it.

“Hear Them Calling” was written because Roseanna doesn't always remember the words to songs! She wanted to do a song with no words in the chorus. At the time she was watching the 'Alien' trilogy and it got her thinking about aliens! And ta da! Hear them calling.

What are your hobbies?

Alanna: I love to play netball. There is a group of ladies I play with at home on a Tuesday night and it’s great fun. I love to run around like crazy although I am not so good at shooting (I blame that on my shortness). I also love to go scuba diving and anytime I am on holiday in a beautiful place I will try and go. Whenever I get a chance I will also go to the theatre (partial to a musical), and am also a bit of a science geek so if there are ever any interesting articles or documentaries I will be looking at them.

What is your favorite place in the world and why?

Roseanna: I absolutely love New York City. It is one of the most amazing cities I have been to and I could gladly live there and be very very happy. Disney World is my second favourite place.

What's the strangest thing that's happened to you since the release of your debut album?

The strangest and one of the coolest things that has happened was the filming of our video “Fight for What's Right.” We had a street closed off for us in New York and even had our own cop making sure it ran smoothly. The most random and amusing thing was we had to have a piano lifted on and off the street to let cars pass by.

Complete these sentences:

I can't live without…

Alanna: White hot chocolate and marshmallows .

Performing live makes me feel...

Jonathan: Alive.

The last album I loved was …

Roseanna: Royal Blood (by Royal Blood).

The Rua’s new album Essence will drop in the United States tomorrow, St. Patrick’s Day, via Fod Records.