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ROTH'S 'VOODOO' Remember vocalist Adam Roth? He was the former lead singer of the Gulf Breeze-based jam band Suburban Shakedown who fled to Los Angeles days before Hurricane Ivan devastated Pensacola in 2004.
The 22-year-old is in town to promo his soon-to-be released full-length record, "A Little Voodoo."
Armed with an evolved, yet malleable, pop-rock sound that ranges from a Jack Johnson-esque title track to a bluegrass-infused homage to the Big Easy called "Back to New Orleans," Roth has crafted a Southern-fried gem.
"When I moved to Los Angeles, I learned that I have to structure my songs in a different way in order to appeal to a large number of people," he says, sporting a long, Jim Morrison-style haircut. "Someone told me, 'don't bore us, get to the chorus' and that kinda stayed with me."
Roth—who collaborated with luminaries like Little Feat's Richie Hayward and well-known harmonica player Stanley Behrens on the new material—believes all of the 10 tracks on "A Little Voodoo" can stand alone.
"My goal with this record was to make every song a single," he says during a recent taping of "IN Your Head Radio." "Before, it was about jamming out and making sure everyone in the room was enjoying the music."
As far as his impressions of the Pensacola music scene since leaving in '04, Roth says he's noticed a shift—and not necessarily for the good. "It seems like everything has changed but the people are the same," he explains. "I'm having a hard time finding original music since coming back. I've asked all of my old musician friends and they're telling me that the local music scene is pretty much dead."
Based on his experiences living near the Sunset Strip, Roth argues that we should embrace and nurture acts putting out original music.
"I would like for Pensacola to change into an original scene," he remarks. "It's always been a cover band scene, which is what I was a part of with Suburban Shakedown. But, there's so much great original music out there that always seems to be overlooked."
Roth's advice to the locals: "Don't let the scene change you. Change the scene." - Independent News
Discography
Measuring Peace ~ Suburban Shakedown ~ 2001
Evensong ~ Suburban Shakedown ~ 2004
A Little Voodoo ~ Adam Roth (Solo) ~ 2006
Hello Beautiful ~ Adam Roth (Solo) ~ 2008
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Bio
Adam Roth is that warm southern breeze that gently says hello on a cloudy day, or perhaps the rainfall on a sunny day. Regardless we are all dancing because we are living. Born in New Orleans and raised in Pensacola, Florida, there is no denying Adam’s dirty south influence. His first real dabble in live music was with the band Suburban Shakedown, whom conceivably developed a warm crowd throughout the South, opening on several occasions with Sugar Ray and Spin Doctors. Also notorious for playing large keg parties and college blowouts that somehow always ending up busted by law enforcement. The band spent a healthy amount of time rocking the Southeast but eventually the group split ways. In 2004 Hurricane Ivan rampaged through Adam’s hometown, which is around the time he headed for Los Angeles to pursue the dream. In 2006, Adam released ‘A Little Voodoo’, with a rock and roll swagger, and a Southern heart. The album featured several notable guests, including Richie Hayward from Little Feat on drums, as well as Stevie Di Stanislao (currently touring with David Gilmour of Pink Floyd). Now 23 years old and anticipating the release of the ‘Hello Beautiful’ EP, produced by Eric Lynn at Shangri-La in Malibu, formerly owned by Bob Dylan. The new album will be available on January 25th, 2008.
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