Roland Roberts Releases 'So It Goes' Album Today (6/29)
AMERICANA ARTIST
— ROLAND ROBERTS —
RELEASES HIS SOPHOMORE LP
SO IT GOES
TODAY, JULY 29
Above: Roland Roberts
NASHVILLE, TN (July 29, 2022) — Alaska-based Americana singer-songwriter Roland Roberts has released his sophomore full-length album, So It Goes, today. In an interview with DITTY TV, Roland opened up, explaining that he “experienced his lowest lows and highest highs all in the same year, losing his father and brother within a few months. That profound level of grief helped to shape his new album.”
The 11-song collection — written while living at the base of Hatcher Pass, Alaska and recorded at Old Crow Recording in Whitehorse, Canada — showcases Roland’s innate ability to capture the character traits of what it means to be an American. He’s spent time in different parts of the country and weaves those experiences into his music. Born in Memphis, TN, he grew up as a Southern boy in Alabama, but moved to Colorado after graduating college. On a Rocky Mountain High for a 10-year stint, he then ventured to set up camp in Alaska, where he currently lives.
“Roland Roberts has that raspy Americana voice that puts a lump in your throat . . . he sounds a little like James Taylor.”
–Melissa Clarke, Americana Highways, June 6, 2022
Music flooded his senses from a young, impressionable age. “Some of my first musical memories are my dad just playing guitar and dobro around the house,” says Roberts. “He and his brothers and my grandfather would play together at family reunions and stuff like that.”
Inspired by early trailblazers such as Kris Kristofferson, John Prine and The Allman Brothers Band, Roberts continues to find modern inspiration from the likes of Jason Isbell and Blaze Foley. “My grandfather, Roland Sr., was an old country music guy and my dad was a big southern rock guy,” recalls Roberts “So both those genres played an early role. Another monumental thing was when one of my friend’s older brother gave me a Drive-By Truckers tape when I was around 14 or so, Gangstabilly was the album. I played that tape until it didn’t work anymore.”
With So It Goes, Roland Roberts wants listeners to understand that life goes on. “We love people, we lose people. Sometimes your whole world is turned upside down in both good ways and bad, but you gotta keep putting one foot in front of the other because time never slows…and So It Goes.”
Tracklisting for So It Goes:
“Do What I Can”
“35 and Single”
“So It Goes”
“For The Record”
“Cover Band Blues”
“The Bottle”
“Done Nothin’ Wrong”
“All That’s Left”
“Better Off”
“Pray For John”
“Alaska Time”
Above: Album cover art for ‘So It Goes’
Connect with Roland Roberts:
https://www.rolandrobertsband.com