The Roosevelts

It’s hard to categorize new Texas duo The Roosevelts, who blend soulful harmonies, acoustic music and deft songwriting. “Our music is a good crossover of folk, rock, Americana, Country and soul,” says The Roosevelts member James Mason. “There are elements of all of those styles. The closest thing that might describe it is organic pop. We are still trying to figure out what you call it. No matter what kind of music audience we play for, they seem to like it. There is so much genre-blending now in music, anyway.”

The process for determining the duo’s distinguished band name was similarly organic. “The first day we went into the studio, it was President’s Day,” says Mason. “We were throwing out names to our producer, and we couldn’t believe no one had come up with that band name yet. So it stuck.”

Houston native Mason and Birmingham-bred Jason Kloess met after each moved to Austin, Texas, in 2008 to pursue music. They met through a mutual musician friend, and found Jason’s harmonies and songwriting sensibilities complemented James’ rugged lead vocals. Countless bar performances and wedding singer gigs solidified their tight-knit harmonies and genre-bending sound–as well as their extensive repertoire of cover songs. “We did a lot of Motown and hip-hop, mixed with “Last Dance with Mary Jane” and Coolio. It’s was a bit of everything,” says Mason.

In 2013, they recorded the six-song EP, Cold Sheets, at Matchbox Studio in Austin.

The duo performed three songs during their MusicRow visit, including “Don’t Wanna Let You Go,” “Baby You Can Break My Heart,” and the current single, “Cold Sheets.” They revealed more of their soulful influences on a cover of “Signed, Sealed, Delivered (I’m Yours).”

The video for “Cold Sheets” debuted this week on CMT. The clip was filmed near Houston, Texas, with director Brad Linton. Kloess and Mason take on leading roles, portraying army soldiers whose relationships are torn apart by war. The video marks the first time either acted in front of a camera, though Mason says he drew on his previous theater experience for the role. “It’s just learning to forget the camera isn’t there,” he says. - Jessica Nicholson

Thanks to a catchy chorus and warm vocals, it’s easy to get wrapped up in the Roosevelts’ “Cold Sheets.” Well, I hate to give you a rude awakening, but … it’s a bittersweet breakup song. And one that’s worth hearing. Check out the CMT Edge video premiere of “Cold Sheets,” then read an interview with the Austin-based band’s James Mason and Jason Kloess below the fold.

CMT Edge: What was it about this video treatment for “Cold Sheets” that got your attention?

James Mason: Filmed in a little Texas town between Austin and Houston, this video embodies the meaning behind “Cold Sheets” and creatively projects the sentiment of love torn apart. Love can be lost, but that doesn’t mean it’s gone — and what could reflect that sentiment more powerfully than a love torn apart by war?

Jason Kloess: We really liked the direction that we all came up with, as it was something new and different and unexpected. The treatment for the video actually changed as we started shooting, as we kept coming up with ideas and different directions to take it. We actually shot four different endings and didn’t know what was going to happen until we got back the final edit. Our director, Brad Linton, did an amazing job, and we left the final say up to him on how to resolve it.

Do you have a favorite scene in the video, or one that stands out to you?

Kloess: Our favorite scenes are those shot in the bathroom with the tub, as it’s such a beautiful shot. There are so many emotions and feelings depicted on her face, and she does an amazing job expressing the pain and longing that she’s feeling. It really pulls you into the video and makes the lyrics resonate that much more.

Mason: I’d have to agree. The bathtub scenes are the glue that holds the video together. It brings the video home (in the most literal sense). For everyone, the bath is a very private place. For some, it’s the only private place. And in that space, all masks are washed away. The dirt is scrubbed, the makeup comes off, we are literally and figuratively naked. In that vulnerable place, I believe we do some of our best soul-searching, and I think Leah (Nobel) really brought that to life.

How did you settle on the song title? What were you talking about before you wrote the song?

Mason: “Cold Sheets,” as a song and a title, is a literal reflection on the absence of a warm body. When it’s love, and when it’s lost, we will do anything to fill that space or to find someone who can love us as we once were loved. Until it’s filled, we’re prone to romanticize and cling to the past. Those feelings, that evening, that experience — not to fix, but to remind ourselves that we are still capable.

Kloess: “Cold Sheets” was written in the aftermath of a two-year relationship. The kind that just falls apart — not because of someone or something but because it just doesn’t work anymore. When the shock fades and all confidence is spent, loneliness and longing begin to fill the space, and few things more noticeably play upon that emotion than the absence left in your bed. - Craig Shelburne

Soulful-duo, The Roosevelts debut the brand new music video for fan-favorite, “Cold Sheets,” exclusively on CMT Edge today (9/8). The song serves as the title-track to their 2013 widely acclaimed Cold Sheets EP. Following the premiere, the video will be available across multiple media platforms.

Filmed outside of Houston, TX, the duo's Jason Kloess and James Mason teamed up with director Brad Linton, to bring “Cold Sheets” to life with a vulnerable setting of war. Capturing the sentiment of love torn apart, the video is filled with moving scenarios between a couple and vividly conveying the emotional impact combat can take on a relationship. Mason and Kloess play lead roles as soldiers in the army.

Reigning from Austin, TX, The Roosevelts have been touring non-stop and garnering buzz opening for popular acts such as Bob Schneider, JohnnySwim and Charlie Robison. This fall, they will be performing at multiple festivals including the 2nd Annual Garden and Gun Shoot, and the Rock Boat Festival. Known for their dynamic live show, The Roosevelts bring a simplistic and sultry vibe to the stage that sets them apart from the rest.

Watch the “Cold Sheets” video here. - Daily Country