Indie + Alternative culture appreciates new rising artists that create diversity and new insights within their respective genres.
We constantly feature notable indie and alternative artists on the verge of success. Meet this week’s featured artist in an exclusive interview. Introducing You To Your Next Favorite Artist: Niles Rooker Trio |
We recently talked in depth with Niles Rooker to find out more about the trio's take on alternative culture. Read on to find out more about your next favorite artist, and stream their latest single I Won't Sleep.
Comments From The Curating-Editor:
Amorica by The Black Crowes, Abbey Road by The Beatles, and Let It Bleed by The Rolling Stones. I remember the countless times I told my middle school teachers to f*ck off when they said that my Rolling Stones shirt was borderline inappropriate. Those are all classics for me and to this day I listen to them frequently. I get inspiration from so many artists to make my music and constantly I revert to these guys.
What are your fondest musical memories?
Listening to music, I have thousands of instances full of chills and goose bumps when an artist does something awesome. I saw Rival Sons relatively recently and was blown away by Jay Buchanan’s voice. Of course you can nail your parts in a studio, but when you do it live with even more emotion it’s a completely different feeling. As an artist, a recent show we played takes the cake. We hit the Exit/In for the album release of some close friends of ours, Floralorix. The energy was on fire and our parts were crushed for 35 minutes of euphoria.
Lately what musical periods or styles do you find yourself most drawn to as a listener?
Soul, Blues, and Rock & Roll. I gather so much inspiration from Otis Redding. That 50s and 60s sound resonates with me the most. And you can’t go wrong just listening to Zeppelin, CCR, or Sabbath.
I’m writing all the time. I have several guitars in different locations throughout my house and I usually pace through picking around with chord progressions and melodies. If I come across something I really dig, I record it on my iPhone. Typically, it becomes a song within 20 minutes. Once I have a working version of it, I’ll text it to the guys, and we will nail it down in rehearsal. The message varies. I find myself writing major chord songs with a happy feel to them but I add dark and somber lyrics; sort of an ironic thing.
We're a firm believer that the cities that artists are based in helps craft their sound. How would you describe your city’s music scene? How has it inspired you into crafting your sound?
Nashville’s music scene is changing and doing so extremely quickly. The country music is still here, but now it’s like a new genre headlines the Ryman every night. Some of the Tennessee bands I listen to definitely encourage my inclusion of a southern rock sound. There are so many talented bands in this city right now, and that really pushes us to be better and better each time we perform. There’s this sort of community aspect going on in Nashville that drives everyone to be better and better. It’s really a great thing. You have to figure out your own way to stand out.
How would you describe your visual aesthetic, in terms of album artwork, music videos, and artistry? How does the music you create contribute to your visuals? Does this extend to your live show experience?
In addition to my music, I am a photographer. So, the aesthetic I like to capture is photographic. On my Instagram I just post anything and everything with a solid photo in sets of threes. Sometimes music related, sometimes not. I produce music in a blues fashion so when I post the music related stuff, I like to implement that feel. As far as our live show, we aren’t the type of band who will coordinate our outfits together. The cover photo for I Won’t Sleep captures our vibe very well. |
In addition to my music, I am a photographer. So, the aesthetic I like to capture is photographic. On my Instagram I just post anything and everything with a solid photo in sets of threes. Sometimes music related, sometimes not. I produce music in a blues fashion so when I post the music related stuff, I like to implement that feel. As far as our live show, we aren’t the type of band who will coordinate our outfits together. The cover photo for “I Won’t Sleep” captures our vibe very well.
As an indie artist in the digital age, social media and streaming are essential tools for marketing and promotion. What do you think about online music sharing, both as a music fan and as a musician? How do you think social media/music streaming services impacts the rising musician?
Personally, I wish we could go back to vinyl. However, this is how this generation works and I’m fine with it. I put my stuff on Soundcloud as soon as it’s released. All I want you to do is listen to it. Digital streaming makes that so easy and takes away the barriers. As a listener, I buy my music. I do this out of respect and the simple need for music when wifi or data isn’t available.
What is your dream collaboration and why?
I want to work with Dan Auerbach. I think his producing skills are killer and I’ve been a Black Keys fan since their first album, The Big Come Up. I have no doubt in my mind we would come up with some rad stuff.
Which songs are you currently obsessed with? What new acts do you recommend to our listeners? What bands do you believe are your best kept secret in the indie community?
Flowers by Leon Bridges. I’ve been listening to his album “Coming Home” on repeat. I love that he is bringing back that swing soul feel. I would absolutely recommend checking him out if you haven’t already done so. One artist I’ve been digging in my community is Scott Hermo. He goes by Boyscott. His album “Goose Bumps” is a start-to-finish listening session for me every time.
What are you currently working on? Any new projects?
We just released our latest single I Won’t Sleep. We tracked it at Haptown Studios with our friend Marc Whitmore for two days and came out with on hell of a song. It takes that Elvis/Cash part of country that everyone likes and blends it with newer sounds and thickness.