Roche & Rue - Getting to the
Bitterheart of the Matter
~
by Jacque Roche
“As we grow, we realize there are a
lot of truths we need to accept
that we didn’t want or expect to be
true.”
~ Samantha Roche
Musicians travel many different paths. Some support
themselves as working musicians while others toil at a “B Job” to get by. However, the duo Bitterheart has
re-written the musician handbook, taken their act on the road and learned many
valuable lessons along the way.
This
contemporary folk/pop acoustic duo comprised of Samantha Roche and Trevor Rue
are spirited Millenials “who play music and avoid all else.” Pretty accurate statement coming from two
talented singer/songwriters that have spent the better part of the past year
living out of a van while traversing the country, examining reality and carving
out an authentic life despite the hardship of their nomadic existence.
The duo found
the perfect opportunity to move along last September when their Brooklyn lease
expired. Much to the chagrin of those
who love and enjoy their music in NY they packed their belongings in a van and
begin an open ended cross-country walk about. It was a simple decision for the
two who have their minds made up about what they want to do. Traveling cross-country in a van is just
their most recent attempt to eliminate distractions and channel all their
energy into creating their unique sound.
Pinning a genre distinction on Bitterheart is difficult. From Folk, Roots, Americana, 50 Country to
Pop Funk or Piano Punk they have a sound unlike most other indie artists. Independent
Clauses, a music review website said it best on their recent review of Bitterheart’s
release, “Know it All” when they declared the duo "Brash, immediate, strum-heavy, full-throated folk-pop that marries the
enthusiasm of folk-punk with the good-hearted charm of a folk-pop tune."
When asked
about lessons learned during this past year, Samantha Roche feels the road may
be the most familiar thing she has. “While
not knowing what to expect from a city or a crowd, I can rely on the
comfortable space we create onstage for ourselves” she ruminates. Being on the road has compelled this duo to
just be themselves, and from that, their sound has emerged brilliantly!
Trevor Rue
punctuates Bitterheart’s road trip teachings with an intended pun. “Being on
the road has been a trip. Constantly playing my music for new people has been
so rewarding as well has reassuring that I'm doing the right thing. Living out
of the van has forced us to work harder, stay active and literally keep moving
forward.”
Bitterheart
is excited to be returning to New York for a 7:00 pm debut performance on June
8th performing with Wise Old Moon at Daryl’s Club House in Pawling,
NY. They will be presenting original written
material that includes: Someone Told Me, Know It All and Can’t Stop to name a
few. In an effort to deliver a more
fully-developed show reflecting their EP’s depth and energy, the duo will be
supported by a full band consisting of Anders Walleck on drums, Corey Gardner
on bass, Sean Spada of No Ice and Schroederz Cat on keys and Anthony Gach
rounding out the sound with his horn.
Show time:
7:00 p.m. Tickets can be purchased at
the venue’s website at http://www.ticketweb.com/t3/sale/SaleEventDetail?dispatch=loadSelectionData&eventId=6671125&pl=daryl
To keep up
with Bitterheart, follow them on their website: http://www.bitterhearttheband.com, by email; bitterhearttheband@gmail.com, on Instagram!
@bitterhearttheband, Twitter: https://twitter.com/bitterheartband
Jacque
Roche is a “More Sugar” contributor, author of a weekly “Positive Insights”
newsletter, booker, FB Jedi Master and host of, Jacque’s Giant Hudson Valley
Music Show on 103.7 WPWL, streaming Thursday from 8-9 pm EST on www.pawlingpublicradio.org. Can I tell
your story? Send an email to:
jacquebutterflypresents@gmail.com.
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