A musician whose soulful tunes resonate deep with the heart of timeless Americana, Landon L. Rogers seamlessly blends bluesy guitar riffs with an infectious feel-good vibe. Having made his mark last year with a string of impressive singles, Landon is back in the spotlight with ‘Living in the Clouds’, a sharp, emotive embrace that wraps around you like a comforting embrace.
To help celebrate the release of the new album, Landon was kind enough to sit down with us and answer a few questions about his small-town roots, the evolution of his style, and how ‘Living in the Clouds’ has the potential to be a true classic.
Wonderful to meet you, Landon, thanks for taking the time to speak with us about the new single. When did you first start making music, how did it all come together?
“I got my first acoustic guitar when I was thirteen, the journey started there, and let me tell you, it was a journey. Artists, (and people in general) tend to be divided into left or right-brained. Left-brain people tend to behave more mechanically and right-brain people tend to behave more emotionally. I'm right-brained. Learning how to play guitar was tricky for me. Left-brain guys just 'get it', that's not to say they don't practice or have to work at refining their skills, but they understand the framework, the scales, the formula. Us right-brain artists aren't so lucky, our performance comes from the gut. Whereas my left-brained friends were performing covers of Coldplay in no time, I was still trying to figure out my sound.”
“Eventually I figured out doing covers wasn't for me. I left the covers to my left-brained friends and started writing my own music. Something clicked for me right around age eighteen, it was then that I was able to write my first album, but it's taken quite some time for me to hone my process. I'm also a fiction writer, so it's been fun, if not frustrating at times, to see my skills as a songwriter develop alongside my ability to write fiction!”
Most of your singles fit comfortably into soulful rock territory, but how would you describe your sound?
“I'm a guitar-driven artist. Early on, I was strictly acoustic. In the mid-2000s that was a more popular genre, but what I enjoyed about it was the fact that I could play a show in a living room or in a coffee shop or small venue and all I needed was myself and my guitar, no drama with bandmates etc. These days I'm still a guitar-driven artist, but I tend to favour my Fender Stratocaster. I like the ability to use up the dynamic range of my recording with a nice melodic guitar riff. As an artist, my sound can change from song to song, but as a guitarist, I keep coming back to the purity of the single coils paired with the simple Roland Jazz Chorus with just a bit of overdrive. My sound is Classic Rock, bluesy and melodic.”
Have there been any artists or moments that have influenced your music?
“As a writer/musician I have a habit of avoiding reading/listening to other artists that much, it tends to creep in or mar what I'm working on, so these days I'm not really influenced by other musicians. My desire to express a story in an abstract way is what influences my music. Music can tell a story through its mood, its riffs, its melancholy and its rhythm. That's what I love about music, it can express something that words alone can't. “
Can you tell us a bit about your latest single?
My newest release, ‘Living in the Clouds’, is a bluesy light-hearted bop that I hope will become a classic. It's one of several songs I'll be releasing that has a classic rock and roll vibe and lots of melodic guitar riffs!”
What is your songwriting process for a song like that?
“For me, the writing process begins with a mood, an idea, something abstract. Then it materializes, usually in the form of a guitar riff, a simple melody. I know these days everyone starts with the rhythm, the drums; for me, that comes last. The rhythm/drums are like shutting the door on a song, so I save that for last. So, for me, songwriting begins with an idea expressed as a guitar riff, then vocalized, fleshed out with lyrics, and finally drums. Generally, singers start their careers writing things they want to hear. Then they grow up and start writing things the listener wants to hear. I've never really done either one. I let the song write itself, I just stay out of the way. “
What’s the most important thing when you’re writing a song?
“Authenticity. Stay true to the tune. We live in a world of oversaturation where every song has to be sugar-high ear candy to make it onto the radio or charts, but that comes at the expense of authenticity. That's why so many songs don't age well. Songs were meant to convey a message, a meaning. Stay true to the tune and the tune will stay true to you!”
What’s next now that the single is out?
“I'm not sure! I'm excited to keep writing more songs and building my catalogue, I have a backlog of about thirty songs that I need to record but I have to find the time!”
What advice would you give to bands and artists who are just starting out and trying to find their sound?
This may sound trite, but first, you need to learn yourself. A good song will come from the heart, so slow down and take a breath or two and let the music come to you, and when it does try to stay true to it. A good song is a good song, it can last forever. Sometimes simplicity is key. Let the melodies speak for themselves. Some of my fans' favourite songs of mine are my simplest. As you write more and more songs you will start to define your sound, but the important thing is that you don't let your sound define you!”
In ‘Living in the Clouds’, Landon effortlessly channels the timeless allure of classic Americana, infusing it with a modern twist that speaks to the soul of a new generation. Through his music, he paints a picture of endless horizons and boundless possibilities, where every note is a step closer to freedom and every chord change is a declaration of independence.
You can stream the new single above and be sure to follow Landon’s musical journey through his social media pages below.
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