By: Staff
Rocky Billbop Unveils His Emotional and Textured New Single "Departure"
We got a chance to check out Rocky Billbop’s latest release, "Departure." The first thing we would like to address is the terrific vocal abilities of this artist. With a very soft, sweet, and alluring texture in the voice, you get an absolutely beautiful sensation from this artist. We utilize the word "texture" because there is definitely a feeling that comforts you and makes you feel relaxed and at ease when absorbing the sweet tones of this artist.
With beautiful lyrics like:
“I’m so scared to smile at all the things we’ve gone through.
I’m really not there. I’m still in my chair.”
There’s an extremely unique delivery, fashion, and presentation that Rocky Billbop utilizes to present and convey the lyrical message. It’s heartfelt, it’s emotional, and it feels raw and honest. There’s also a sensation that the lyrics are literally being swirled by the vocals—you see them in the air and watch the notes wrap around the lyrics. We really enjoyed this a lot, and we absolutely feel this would be tremendous and a big hit in live venue environments. Crowds will be drawn to the stage and captivated while listening to this performance.
All this and we didn’t even bring up how much we adore the musical arrangement yet, but you can’t miss it because it's in perfect cohesion with the styling and method of this piece. It’s soft and gentle, and we like the way the strumming of the guitar comes and goes, feeling seamless. It’s as if the strumming starts at high volume, then fades, and then immediately returns. This really kept us fixated on the instrument. Towards the end, there’s an opportunity, and Billbop seized it, where he gave a really big vocal solo—and he nailed it.
Something else we really enjoyed is that this track is not over-engineered. It is a perfect placement of the vocals and musical arrangement in each track of the song, clearly allowing you to enjoy each one individually, but together they are bigger and stronger. It also has a little bit of a lo-fi sensation, keeping it real and matching what we said would work in a live setting, making this song truly pop.
You can find this on any major platform and see below for links to take you straight to some of the profiles. Make sure to playlist, stream, and share "Departure" by Rocky Billbop.
Wait….. there's more!
We caught up with this exciting artist, for an interview in:
“The Cage” Music Blog, to talk about music and learn more about them.
Here’s how it went:
Begin Interview
Hello Rocky Billop, we’re thrilled to have you for this interview. We've enjoyed diving into your music and learning about your work, but we're eager to discover even more about you personally and professionally.
Is there a story behind how you chose your artist name?
A: so my actual name is Joseph Gagliardi but I feel it wasn't a direct representation of who I am as a musician. Originally back in 2019 about when I started dropping music as Rocky Billop I was very drawn to Billie Eilish's expression and her use of androgyny and mystery behind her persona. I wanted something that sort of sounded like that sonically so I took the name of my first pet and the street I grew up on and found that it actually stuck LOL. It was definitely a half cocked shot in the dark to make the name a reality but eventually it stuck and now I can't see myself with anything else.
We came across this statement: “This emotionally charged track explores the profound theme of finding strength through the love of others when it seems elusive within oneself.”
It’s a powerful and deep sentiment. Could you provide more background on this theme and explain how it connects to the song?
A: well this song really is an examination into my psyche and the times I truly gave up on myself and on life internally, yet externally I still had to exist for the people around me who took more weight from my presence then even I had. If it isn't for my family and my friends I'm not sure I would be where I am today both physically and mentally. Enduring everything is simply so hard and I consider it a sacrifice to in fact continue existing for the sake of the people around me rather than just fading out mentally and just sleeping in bed all day and quitting.
What emotion do you feel inspires your writing process the most, ie sadness, worry, happiness etc.?
A: so I usually go into my projects feeling however I feel, but I notice it's always from a sense of worry and a sense of sadness. I feel alone a lot of times and music is very much the comfort I can apply my reflections onto, I sometimes dislike how my brain works a lot of times in the sense of how it operates when it comes to feeling anxious in going outside or making plans with new people, and most of the time it ends up holding me back somewhat. However that isn't like fine print, I love making music no matter how I feel and I'm always down to be making a boppy smiley song of the opportunity comes to me
What was the most challenging part of bringing this project to life, from the initial idea to the final recording?
A: it’s always for me, the technical aspect when it comes to mixing it when it comes to the process of making it a professional sound in general. My production is always done by me first and foremost but places like nowhere studios, which I recorded the song at is really the place that helps turn the foundations stronger. Another thing I’d say is that I was iffy about this song before or coming out, I really thought it wasn’t my favorite work but I’m so glad to have released it to be honest because it’s been some of my best reception as an artist.
If there was one thing you could change about the music industry, what would it be?
A: we need to bring back talent development! I am someone who is on the spectrum and if it wasn’t for resources around me which have helped elevate me to where I am now, I would not be making music in all honesty, I live in ridgewood queens right now, and as amazing as it is the music scene in nyc is predominantly people who come from affluent families, my family is not rich, we literally had to save up to just be poor. Those people are also fully in need of a vessel to express themselves and more importantly they need the equity to put them on par with people who have those resources privately. Let labels run non profits or whatever you gotta do to help put music back in the hands of those who need to express it just as much as everyone else.
Where do you see your sound and artistry heading in the future? Are there any exciting new directions you're exploring?
A: I am 100% going into the more techno route, I really want to create an album that feels flowing and curated and just me overall. So that’s really what I’m investing in right now. I have a lot of ideas and rough drafts of songs that I just gotta rank and then expand on those. I’m excited to make a catalogue I feel super proud of honestly and it’ll be coming really really soon, I’m trying for the beginning of next year to really have the album done done ya know.
We read this: “This song is very personal to me. It’s about those moments when we feel lost or overwhelmed, and we can’t seem to find the strength to push forward. But then we look around and realize that the people who love us are our strength. They become our source of power when we can’t find it within ourselves.
How did you find the strength to continue under such difficult circumstances?
A: well it’s really the people around me, God for one of course, I feel the manifestation and solitary spiritual connection to a higher power really helps. I am not much of an organized religion person but instead just find refuge within myself and my personal connection. Technically in the eyes of the church I’m imperfect but it’s me, and I know i am a good person so even have that authority hovering over me in the first place. aside from that my family and friends give me my warmth and frankly, my fans as well, they literally keep the heart pumping and I love them.
Most people love or hate social media—where do you land?
A: I love it for the sole reason that it makes artistry less gatekept and more in the hands of the user. However, I hate it for every other reason. Why must I be a face, a personality, anything aside from my art, content is literally art without soul sometimes. There’s obviously exceptions, like using an Instagram as a canvas for an art project or character study. But overall, I wish there was another way people stood in touch aside from it. I give it credit for literally everything commercially successful with my music but I am too dependent on it for my own good
When you reach the stage where you have the admiration and respect of other world-known artists, what band or artist would you love to call and say, “Let’s go on tour together”?
A: the voidz, easily my fav band and the first time I realized music is an emotional enduring drug. I love them with all my heart like I am a FAN. I don’t even make super similar music for them to tour with but I will literally make the phone call anyway and send an edible arrangement.
As humans, we should strive to perform acts of selflessness daily, and many do.
Once your artistry has achieved widespread recognition, how would you use your influential voice to make a bigger positive impact on the world?
A: easy, it’s why I began making music to be honest, artists are making money at that level because they have a platform, a platform that can literally influence elections and change/end lives around the world. I would make sure everyone is heard, that money is being used to help those that need it, that recognition is being given to those that need it. There are oppressed people on this world as we speak and that is a crime beyond moral and political reasoning, I refuse to be on this earth alongside that willingly if I had the platform to make a change at the very least. I want to organize fundraisers as well as other things to help at the very least give those problems a mouth to speak.
What is the most inspirational thing a fan, or anyone, has told or shown you about your music?
A: I literally had someone message me on Instagram and refollow me after five years because they loved the direction my music went in. I literally gotten better and had praise from an external source like what!? It makes me want to continue wowing people like that to be honest.
We’re thrilled to have shared this exciting journey with you and to have uncovered such inspiring details!
Now, don’t miss out—click the link below to experience their incredible story and latest work firsthand.
End Interview
Check out this latest release and listen to more of Rocky Billop on Spotify & YouTube.
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