Annie O, our East Village music maven, brings the best international acts to The Standard, East Village's Penthouse for The Annie O Music Series.
On Friday, April 14th, Annie O's bringing Netherlands-born, NY-based singer-songwriter Roarke to the Penthouse. She hasn't released an EP yet, but if the singles of hers out there, especially "Fall In," are any indication of what's to come, her future's bright. Annie O connected with Roarke to hear more about what's to come.
Annie O Presents: Roarke and Cameron AG
Friday, April 14, 7-9:30PM
The Standard, East Village Penthouse
Free with an RSVP to AnnieO@StandardHotels.com
You've spoken a lot about loving to collaborate. Tell us about how and with whom you collaborated with on this last EP?
I actually have not released an EP yet. Although, I do love to collaborate and have been working with a number of cool artists while creating a larger body of work.
What were some of your biggest influences this time around?
I majored in jazz for part of my time in college, so I draw a lot of influence from female jazz vocalists. I’ll forever be a Sarah Vaughan and Billie Holiday fan. Mazzy Star and Elliot Smith are also go-to songwriting inspirations.
"Right Place (Dark Place)" is such a beautiful and intimate song. Can you tell us about the story behind it and when you wrote it?
Thank you. I struggle with depression at times, and during the period when I wrote this song, I had fallen into a really depressed place. I remember feeling incredibly conflicted because I was writing a lot of great music, but I was also stuck in this depressed hole. When I eventually got to a better place, I realized that even though my dark places totally suck, I can still grow and create art while in them. That’s when I wrote the lyrics to the song.
What's the music scene like in Amsterdam? Are there any bands coming out of there that you are loving right now?
I haven’t lived in Amsterdam for over five years now, so I’m sadly not very in touch with the bands coming out of the city these days.
Are there any songs from other artists you currently have on repeat?
That’s always a really hard question! I feel like I listen to a million songs on repeat. Radiohead will always be my favorite band, so I love all of their songs. The top three songs I currently have on repeat are probably "Love Is To Die" by Warpaint, "The Wheel" by SOHN, and "Honey" by Torres.
What do you miss most about home while living in New York?
Definitely my friends! And also biking everywhere.
If you could collaborate with any artist who would it be?
Thom Yorke.
How do you enjoy life on the road?
I have yet to be on the road, but hoping I’ll enjoy it in the future.
What can we expect from your performance at The Annie O Music Series?
You can expect some new, unreleased material and lots and lots of singing and emotion.
What's next?
I’m going to continue to co-write with other artists and further the sonic evolution of my music.
