With his debut album in the pipeline and a swathe of encouraging tracks in his arsenal, we figured it was time we got to know Rolko a little better
Having adopted a steady release schedule until now, Rolko, the fledgling project from Miami singer-songwriter and sonic storyteller Robert Hernandez, looks set to burst into life with a bunch of new track releases leading up to the awaited release of his debut album Hidden Hotel Rooms.
There is a really distinctive feel to the artist and his sound, with latest single ’49 Directors’ proving to be just the latest glimpse into the artist’s unique songwriting and the unorthodox, synth-laden soundscapes that permeate his interesting and transfixing sound. With this debut album in the pipeline and plans for more exciting releases in the near future, we figured that this would be a great time to have a chat with Rolko and find out some more about the thoughts and inspirations behind this sound, and his journey.
Who TF is Rolko?
Rolko is one of my monikers. My name is Robert Hernandez, I’m a singer/songwriter and producer based in Miami, FL. With all the influences and inspirations growing up in such a diverse city like Miami, it was important for me to have different monikers that live in their own world to express different sides of me. Rolko is like a character in a movie, he lives in an Indie/Rock world, secretly wishing he had a band. Due to this “limitation” a predominant synth-based and sampled aesthetic project was born.
How long have you been making music?
I’ve been songwriting for over 13 years and experimenting and learning the craft of production/mixing for 11 years.
Why do you make music?
Because I absolutely need an outlet of expression, a medium to bottle and capture my streams of thoughts, desires, insecurities, and if I have something worth saying, what better way than to write a tune and share it. It just so happens that I fell upon music, but I would’ve chosen film, painting, or writing.
What are your biggest influences?
Film directors, painters, and writers are my biggest influences. As long as their works feel genuine and hold some practical truths, they will trigger my creative spirit. I feel more drawn to allegorical and mystical works of art, but it can simply be a meaningful or heartfelt piece of Pop that can enter and take space in my mind.
What would you say has been your best moment so far?
I believe it was the first time I was able to put together a piece of music from the beginning to the final mixing and mastering stage and actually feel fully content with it. 49 Directors was that song.
How would you describe your sound to somebody unfamiliar with it?
Like I said before, it’s a sound that lives in the Rock/Indie world with elements of Punk, Hip Pop, and Electronic music. 98% of the tunes are recorded and produced at my home studio, so I tend to gravitate towards synths, drum samples or anything I have at my disposition. I use the Brian Eno production approach, “The Studio is an instrument,” and just try to flow with what each song needs.
What’s your dream “I’ve made it” moment?
Just getting past my 4th full-length album would be very special. I’ve always admired prolific artists that can consistently make great work.
We love your new single ’49 Directors’, what more can you tell us about it?
Appreciate it. 49 Directors is a tune about the human struggle to live an authentic life while waking up and becoming aware of the inner and outside influences that prevent that liberation from happening.
What else do you have planned for the near future?
I plan on finally having my debut album “Hidden Hotel Rooms” out by Aug 2022. Before that, I plan to have one or two more singles released and a music video for 49 Directors to help promote the album.
And finally, who is your biggest fan right now?
My wife is my biggest fan and sometimes my biggest critic. Glori is a writer and an all-around artist, she understands my journey more the anyone. We are constantly collaborating on projects, she’s helped with the 49 Directors artwork and shot the promo shoot. I couldn’t ask for a better fan ;).
