Emerging singer-songwriter Rhiannon Rodriguez is making waves with her debut single, Pink Lemonade, set for release on March 21. Blending bedroom pop with shoegaze-tinged alt-pop, her music is a must-hear for fans of Billie Eilish and Clairo.
Though new to the music scene, Rodriguez has long been immersed in creativity—her father is filmmaker Robert Rodriguez, and she previously worked on We Can Be Heroes. Now, she’s forging her own path, crafting lo-fi, introspective soundscapes infused with personal storytelling.
Pink Lemonade offers a nostalgic reflection on love in friendship, capturing the quiet comfort of deep connection. The single is the first taste of her upcoming EP, Bittersweet, which delves into themes of love, loss, and healing. Keep an eye on Rodriguez—her unique sound is just beginning to unfold.
You’ve been around the world of filmmaking through your work with your father—how has that experience influenced your approach to music and storytelling?
Since I grew up not only immersed in storytelling, but also surrounded by so much creativity, I’d say it’s in my blood! Even though I write, paint and draw, I love using music to also tell stories. Lyrics and melodies that tell a tale will always be my faves.
Can you tell us about the story behind your debut single, “Pink Lemonade”? What emotions or experiences shaped it?
Pink Lemonade is a love letter to my closest friends! (They know who they are ;3) it’s directly based off of them and my fierce love I harbor for them. Some of the lines in the song are things we’ve done ! Staying up til 4, making me pink when I’m blue! This song means a lot to me and I hope it can strike a chord with other people in a similar way.
Your sound blends bedroom pop with shoegaze and alt-pop influences—what drew you to this style, and who are your biggest musical inspirations?
I’ve always been inspired by people like Billie Eilish, Gorillaz, and Rebecca Sugar. Safe to say they shaped me as a person as well as an artist. I’m not entirely sure what drew me to that sound, it seemed to fit the concept of this album the best. It really speaks to me at this moment.
Growing up with a renowned filmmaker as your father, did you always know you wanted to pursue music, or was there a defining moment that led you here?
I did always know I wanted to do something creative with my life, because I feel most fulfilled when I get to create things. I’ve always loved singing, and ever since I was a little kid, my dad and I would do little songs together. But I’ll never forget when I was around 11 or so, I was swimming with my family, and I swam up to my dad and said “Someday I wanna be a singer.” So maybe that was the moment I knew for sure.
How does your creative process work? Do you start with lyrics, melodies, or a mood when crafting a song?
For this album, I wrote with my awesome co-writer, producer, and ever so wonderful friend, Tiger Darrow. When we wrote we started with moods, vibes and references. Then we created a melody and base idea for the song before adding lyrics and recording a demo for it. And then other times, when I write by myself, I generally start with an idea for a line in the song, then I make a chord progression and a melody, and sometimes I end up with a full song, othertimes just a snippet to be developed more later.
Your upcoming EP, Bittersweet, explores themes of love, loss, and healing—what personal experiences or stories influenced this project?
I made it to put feelings out onto paper, to almost turn that loss of a friendship into a positive thing for me I suppose. I love concept albums and have always wanted to make my own, so I figured my experience with the grieving process would make a good candidate. Grieving is so strange cause when you’re in it you think you’ll never be out of it again and life won’t ever feel the same. And then little by little you’re smiling again, you can look at things that remind you of them and not breakdown, you still love them and miss them, but it’s not nearly as earth shattering as before. I hope this EP can resonate with some people, because it was incredibly cathartic to make.
“Pink Lemonade” evokes a sense of nostalgia and deep connection—do you have a favorite memory that inspired the song?
Pink Lemonade consists of multiple memories. Sleepovers I’ve had with friends, staying up to the most ungodly hours, where everything is funny because we’re crazy loopy. But it’s more the vibes of being with friends! That lightness, that bounciness, it’s playful, cheeky and fun.
Many fans compare your sound to artists like Billie Eilish and Clairo—how do you feel about those comparisons, and what makes your music uniquely yours?
So honored! I love them both, and as I’ve said Billie has been a major inspiration of mine. It makes me so happy folks have said that. I’d say my use of concept, blending of different musical styles along with an emphasis on my visual art with the music is what I can bring to the table.
If Bittersweet had a visual aesthetic or a film to represent it, what would it look like?
Something colorful and vibrant with a lot of yellows. Definitely an animated film of some kind too. Hopefully a Wes Anderson directed type of animated film!
What’s next for you after your debut EP? Do you have any dream collaborations or future projects in mind?
I’m working on an animated film as well as toying with a second album. I also think a collab with someone like Jhariah or Cowboy Malfoy would be the coolest thing ever.
