Niles Rooker
Gig Seeker Pro

Niles Rooker

Nashville, TN | Established. Jan 01, 2014

Nashville, TN
Established on Jan, 2014
Band Blues Alternative

Calendar

This band has not uploaded any videos
This band has not uploaded any videos

Music

Press


"Nashville Based Niles Rooker Trio Bless Us With "I Won't Sleep""

There’s something in the air in Nashville. No, it’s not the humidity, it’s not the drunk tourists yelling on Broadway, or the smell of Peg Leg Porker firing up their smokers for the day. It’s something free and pure to it’s roots, drifting along with the Cumberland breeze. Something that Nashville has always been known for is it’s vibrant and extremely diverse music scene. But lately, there’s a new wave of talent rolling in and I can’t get enough. At GoodMusicAllDay, we support good music first and foremost and this new single from Nashville’s Niles Rooker Trio is just that, good music.

“I Won’t Sleep” is a Saturday morning, hungover wondering what happened type of record. It’s smoky and fits the vibe of a local spot in East Nashville perfectly. There’s an edge to this one that I didn’t expect when I first pressed play but the vocals pulled me in, wanting to hear and know more about these guys. Niles Rooker Trio, made up of Niles Rooker and Jeff Meloen, was born as a duo back in August of 2014. They wanted to revisit the classic sounds of the 50’s and 60’s saying, “It was just two friends getting together every day to play muddy blues songs and make the neighbor’s lives difficult.” With the addition of bassist, Ryan Lemp, the now trio focused on their songwriting to create something more dynamic, bringing a full band sound to the table.

The group released their debut EP, ‘Beach Talk’ in 2015, helping them gain exposure and earn the opportunity to play all over Nashville. With new music on the horizon and a kick ass new single with “I Won’t Sleep”, Niles Rooker Trio are on pace for an exciting 2016. - GoodMusicAllDay


"Niles Rooker Trio Interview"

Hi guys, welcome to VENTS! How have you been?

Doing great thanks so much setting this up with us. I am currently in Italy right now with Ryan. We’re all excited for this single to drop and get people listening.

Can you talk to us more about your latest single “I Won’t Sleep”?

It’s an upbeat Elvis/Cash influenced song that’s full of energy and fun instrumentation. It defines the upbeat and energetic aspect of our sound.

Did any event in particular inspired you to write this song?

The song is about bits of my life before I moved to Nashville. I also like to credit the short time I spent in Vegas. It’s about heavy partying and lacks of sleep hence the title haha.

The single comes off your new material Beach Talk – what’s the story behind the title?

Beach Talk was actually our first EP. The title is ironic; you hear the surf influence in the title track yet the lyrics are far from the vibes that coincide with beach life. This single is a new line of work and most likely introducing our stride for a full length.

How was the recording and writing process?

We recorded at Haptown Studio in Nashville, TN with our friend Marc Whitmore. We tracked one day and then mixed the next. It was such a great time, and we just kept getting cool ideas to throw in that put smiles on everyone’s faces.

What was it like to work with Chris Mara and how did that relationship develop?

We worked with Chris last year for the Beach Talk EP. He is a solid and talented dude. He knew exactly what we were going for and mixed it kind of like a Rolling Stones record. Welcome to 1979 is an awesome spot full of radical gear and good vibes.

What role does the 50s and 60s plays in your music?

The soul, the blues, and the style of rock. We swing through these genres exclusively for the most part. From the Stones to Otis Redding, I find inspiration in these guys and it spills into my songwriting. Some of Jeff’s favorite drummers come from this era, and he takes inspiration from the feel that these drummers have.

Why these decades in particular?

Those decades were full of amazing musicians. To this day, there’s very few that emulate what Otis Redding, Ray Charles, Aretha Franklin, Chuck Berry, The Stones, and BB King were doing in an original way.

Where did you find the inspiration for the songs and lyrics?

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. 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.

Does the beach influence the lyrics in any way?

The title is ironic; you hear the surf influence in the title track yet the lyrics are far from the vibes that coincide with beach life.

Any plans to hit the road?

We are touring the south this summer mostly in July/August. It is our first trip as a group so we are getting super excited for it.

What else is happening next in Niles Rooker Trio’s world?

More singles and eventually a full length! We are also in the midst of self-producing our future music since I have experience doing that. - VENTS Magazine


Discography

"Beach Talk" EP (September 15th, 2015)
"I Won't Sleep Single (June 3rd, 2016)

Photos

Bio

Aspiring to revisit classic sounds from the 1950s and 1960s, Niles Rooker and Jeff Meloen started a blues-rock duo in 2014. “It was just two friends getting together every day to play muddy blues and make the neighbor’s lives difficult,” Rooker said. With the addition of bassist Jake Saghi, Niles Rooker was able to achieve a wider songwriting dynamic as well as a thicker sound as a band. On September 15th, 2015, the group released their debut EP. The five-track album received critical acclaim from national press outlets GoodMusicAllDay and BalconyTV, as well as local recognition from No Country for New Nashville. “The Beach Talk EP is a perfect combination of yesteryear tinged vocals, great hooks, and awesome songwriting. The title track is lush with tongue-in-cheek lyrics and puts a smile on my face every time I hear it,” Chris Mara of Welcome to 1979 praised. With a string of notable local performances at venues such as Mercy Lounge, The High Watt, and The Basement, Niles Rooker is set to release their second EP in the spring of 2017.



Band Members