Roger Street Friedman – Long Shadows

By starrymag | January 6, 2025

By: Jamie Steinberg

 

 

Q) How would you describe your sound?

A) I describe it as a blend of Folk Rock, Americana, Country, Rock and a tinge of The Blues

Q) Who are some of your musical influences?

A) There are so many, but my touchstones are always Paul Simon, Joni Mitchell, Jackson Browne and [Bob] Dylan.

Q) Talk about the story behind your new song “Rolling in Again.”

A) “Rolling in Again” is a story about the emotional arcs of a relationship.  How people can pull away emotionally and then come back together.  I used images from nature, the tides and the idea of the changing seasons, as a metaphor for the push and pull of love. Of course, it’s personal. As in any relationship, my wife and I have our ups and downs and when we hit a bump in the road it often feels like we both hit the road emotionally.  We may shut the other out for a bit until we’re ready to talk about it and come back together.  I think it’s a constant push and pull. Like the ocean tides, we roll out, but then we always roll in again!

Q) What do you think it is about the song that fans connect to?

A) I think it’s a universal topic. Based on the comments on the YouTube video it seems that a lot of people experience this in their relationships. Or they relate to the lyrics in their own interpretation of them.  They give them their own meaning, which I like a lot.  There’s a looseness to the song. It’s not that specific, but it’s also not that general, so it lets people put their own spin on it. Also, it’s a really fun sounding track. Very melodic and upbeat!

Q) How does the video for the track play into the message behind it?

A) I think the video tells the story I wanted to get across really well. You definitely get a sense of longing and wistfulness of “Autumn” from the interaction of the band footage and the b-roll.  She’s walking through town, having her tea, driving, walking through a field of flowers and down by the shore. You don’t know whether or not she’s coming or going, but I think it’s the uncertainty that I wanted to convey in the video.  It’s ambiguous, just like our emotions.

Q) What is your song writing process? Do you need music before you can create lyrics?

A) I usually start on the guitar and find a riff, chord progression or motif and build on that with the lyrics coming second. Sometimes I’ll start with a phrase, like my songs “Last Train to Babylon” and “Tough Crowd” from Rise.  I had written those title ideas down and then wrote the songs from those.

Q) “Rolling in Again” was recorded in your home studio and it’s your first time tackling the role of producer. Why is it so important to you to have such a hand in the production of your music?

A) Well, after working with the amazing Larry Campbell, who produced my last two albums, I wasn’t sure that I could take these tracks to the finish line as the producer.  But what I found was that I could use what I learned by watching Larry work and apply that to these tunes and I was really pleased with the results.  Having said that, it’s kind of nice having a producer to work with because they make many of the decisions about arrangements, overdubs, etc., so I can just focus on being the artist.  It is gratifying to know that I can continue to do it if I want to though! Having my own studio gives me the luxury of being able to work on my own timeline, which is a big benefit when making music!

Q) Your album Long Shadows will be released in January. What are some themes you can tease that you’ll be exploring?

A) Well, I’m not one to shy away from hard topics, so along with songs like Rolling In Again, which are about a relationship, the broad themes are the state of the world, white fear and privilege and my journey as an artist. Along with a few very personal love songs…

Q) Is there a message or emotion that you hope lingers with people who listen to the music that you make?

A) I would like to leave people feeling something, whatever that feeling may be.  I would like to think it runs the gamut – from sadness to joy and everything in between.  Songs should make you feel and maybe even think a little.  I know I feel the most successful when I hear from people that a song of mine meant something to them. I’ve gotten some really nice notes from people over the years and heard from people directly at shows, that my songs have moved them. That’s the best reward for sure!

Q) Who would you love to collaborate with in the future?

A) I’d love to write with Mary Gauthier – I love the directness and emotion in her stuff. If we’re talking pie in the sky, then Jackson Browne is one of my songwriting idols so it would be incredible to collaborate on something with him. In fact, I just met him backstage at a benefit concert that Steve Earle runs in NYC.  It was like I was a teenage girl in the front row of a Beatles concert!  Totally star-struck, but he was very gracious.

Q) What artist/musician are you currently listening to and why do you dig them? 

A) Right now I’m listening to a bunch of Joe Henry. I love the songwriting, his use of language and on top of all of that, the production value is really incredible. It’s deep stuff.  I’m also revisiting Mary Gauthier’s 2022 release Dark Enough to See The Stars.

Q) Do you believe that social media is an important way for you to connect with your fans, and why or why not?

A) I do think it is. But I think all of us indie musicians are trying to figure out how to find and grow our fanbase with varying degrees of success.  I’ve had one video go viral on TikTok, and then not much from there.  Facebook seems to be pretty much dead, and I’ve had some luck with Instagram, but it’s the need for constantly creating content makes it very difficult

Q) What would you like to say to everyone who is a fan and supporter of you and your work?

A) Thank you and I’d love to see you at a show real soon!