About
Roske is a New York-born singer-songwriter who writes music inspired by his Autism Spectrum Disorder. Born from an adoration of classic rock and music theory, Roske mixes arena-ready anthems with honest lyrics ripped from the soul.
The Roske Music Project follows a songwriting pattern designed to mix the familiar with the unique, to invite listeners in but keep them on their toes. The composition process starts with a basic pop structure; from there, pieces are shifted in and out. The music remains flexible, tackling arena-rock, pop, country, and even rudimentary rap.
These songs serve as an intimate storytelling vehicle; they integrate diverse influences with catchy pop choruses to achieve a careful balance between music and lyrics. Although rooted in the structure of American pop-rock, they incorporate elements of unexpected sources such as flamenco, Broadway, and the Mizrahi music of Israel.
The lyrics have their roots in universal human themes - growing up, loneliness, redemption and the turbulence of interpersonal relationships. Historical and literary allusions appear peppered throughout, though not excessively.
The song "Man I Wanna Be" encapsulates these principles perfectly. Set against electric drums and synths, the song starts from the middle of a typical pop tune, jumping suddenly into a verse with an already-established world. Although in F minor, it centers around the c-note; a typical flamenco trick. The lyrics mix humor with anxiety in the package of subtle biblical references.
The end result is a big, rousing, sing-along chorus with a tense, evocative story in the tradition of heartland singer-songwriter anthems. If you listen closely you can pick out Springsteen, Les Mis and a touch of Middle Eastern singers such as Zohar Argov. Listen a little closer and you can hear a story rippling through the ages — a quick shot of humanity straight to your ears.
