Getting To Know... Roadkeeper

Following on from the success of their previously shared singles 'Narcissistic Peoples' and 'Sundowners' over the last year, East Texas-based quartet Roadkeeper now return with their latest laid-back offering 'Downs'.

Marking the second new release of 2020, 'Downs' makes for a wonderfully smooth and dreamy gem for these locked down days. With its bright and psychedelic flow, matched with some truly wistful vocals, their latest delight continues that fresh and sweeping aesthetic they are quickly making a reputation for.

So with their newest jam calming our collective nerves throughout, we sat down with them to find out more about their backgrounds and what has inspired them most over the years.

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What were the first instruments you fell in love with?

John H. – I have this Frankenstein bass that I slowly assembled out of some really good vintage and custom parts and it is just the best.

Daniel G. – Originally, I wanted to get a bass but learned guitar instead.

Trevor T. – Baritone, drums, and guitar.

Nick C. – Keys. I played piano along with my mother. Also, my grandmother had a small organ I would bang on.

What has been the most prominent inspiration behind your music so far?

John H. – "Money Didn't Change Me" from Three 6 Mafia's certified Gold 2003 album Da Unbreakables.

Daniel G. – I could list bands but mainly 90s indie and shoegaze.

Trevor T. – Kid Rock.

Nick C. – Inspired by all things around me.

What kind of music did you love as a teenager?

Daniel G. – Alice In Chains, Beck, Pavement, They Might Be Giants, Rush & Foo Fighters.

Trevor T. – 70’s rock or funk.

Nick C. – rap, hip-hop. Screwed Up Click, really anything from Houston. Anything from Dallas, Mr. Pookie, Lucci. No Limit Records. Also, punk and rock.

Can you remember the first song that made you want to pursue a life in music?

Daniel G. – I don’t know, probably a Beatles song.

Trevor T. – In Reverie by Saves the Day.

Nick C. – Nah, could have been anything.

When you wake up in the morning, what kind of music do you like to listen to?

Daniel G. – Just the sound of the fam.

Trevor T. – I don’t do music in the morning.

Nick C. – Whatever is going outside. Birds, bugs, animals. People. Makes for easy listening. Maybe some Weyes Blood or Hand Habits if it is the weekend.

How many of your songs have you written about people in your life?

John H. – Our first single "The Creeps" was inspired by some peeps we know.

What have been the most memorable moments in your career so far?

John H. – The best stuff so far has been the process of coming up with the songs. Either jamming out ideas together or the unexpected things we stumble upon while working in the studio.

Daniel G. – It would have been the canceled Post Animal show we were going to play just as things shut down.

Nick C. – Creating and sculpting these songs in the attic and sleeping in the studio with the window open. We have also had some excellent and relaxed shows, so I have enjoyed playing live on occasion.

Outside of music, what is your biggest passion?

John H. – Reading, riding bikes, chillin.

Daniel G. – Being a good daddy-o.

Trevor T. – Farming with my kids.

Nick C. – Taking care of the house, filling the bird feeder, talking to my brother on the phone.

If you weren’t musicians, what other path do you think you might have taken?

John H. – Maybe writing.

Daniel G. – Other path? Shit we all got a bunch of paths going.

Trevor T. – Electrical engineering, architecture.

Nick C. – We are all on numerous paths or adventures or whatever, simultaneous to pursuing music. We are all living life and doing many of our own things, just normal life living.

And what advice would you give to other musicians looking to start a career in music?

John H. – Think hard about if you just want to just play live, sell merch and make a little $$$ at it or if you want to get serious about production and putting out great recordings. Figure out which route you want to go and adjust expectations accordingly.

Trevor T. – Be unique. Play what you enjoy and don’t concern yourself with what anyone else thinks about it.

Nick C. – Stick with it. Do all kinds of things. Join different bands. Play different genres. Do everything. Play everything.

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Roadkeeper's new single 'Downs' is available to stream and download now. Have a listen to it in the player below.