By Deaglan Howlett | Posted Friday, April 15, 2022
Hailing from Bergen County, NJ, Rory D’Lasnow has been penned a “golden voiced troubadour” (NJ.com), and his latest release “Songs From An Empty Room” further proves that notion. Having released music since 2011, Rory continues to dig deeper and tap into raw emotions that listeners can't help but feel connected to. Rory is also responsible for starting The Songwriter Showcase, which was a web series during the height of the pandemic in order to keep songwriters together and inspired through those trying times. Following the release of “Songs From An Empty Room”, Rory was kind enough to answer some questions about the record and his process upon the return of his run of shows in California. Thanks again, Rory!
When did you first start releasing your own music?
I put out my first EP in 2011 right after college. I’ve been singing, writing songs, and playing guitar upside down and backwards since I was five, but I took a while to really be consistent and intentional about it. While I had my first proper “show" at twelve at the local library, my journey has involved a lot of fits and starts due to anxiety, self-doubt, and loss but I’m here now and I feel like having taken such a circuitous path has given me some sort of perspective and ability to hopefully encourage others who face similar challenges.
Who were your biggest influences when first picking up guitar?
I was obsessed with The Beatles as a kid — I wanted to be John Lennon so badly haha. Now I’m more of a Paul guy — but their presence loomed large in my musical development. I also really loved Queen, The Everly Brothers, and Billy Joel though, of course, he wasn’t much of a guitarist! Basically, anything other than the era I was born into. That changed eventually, though. And now I’m a sworn emo kid forever.
You run The Songwriters Showcase. How did you start that community? What inspires you most when meeting different songwriters?
I do! I initially started it as a way to just stay connected with and provide a small platform for my pals in the music scene during the COVID pandemic, but then it grew a bit to include over 250 artists across twelve countries which is something I’m super proud of and still super shocked by. I probably most enjoy hearing about different folks’ approaches to the craft. There are so many different ways to arrive at this common goal of writing a song that is evocative (and maybe a bit catchy, too).
You’re about to head to the West Coast for a few shows. Will this be your first time playing out there? Where has your favorite out-of-state show been?
Yes! I actually just got back from my first three shows in LA — it was! I lived in the SF area for a bit around 2014, but I only played an open mic or two as I was focused on pursuing “rational” things like a career at a startup in the Silicon Valley (what could be more irrational than ignoring your creative passions?). I was fortunate enough to link up with some fantastic like-minded musicians out in LA, though, for a few shows and I was ecstatic to have the chance to play at Hotel Cafe, which is an unreal space that some great musicians have come through.
The shows in LA definitely are up there, but one other spot I really enjoyed playing was Birmingham, AL with my buddies Anna Hope and John Armstrong Feller. I did a little southern run in January across eight cities and I’d never been anywhere in Alabama but everybody there was so warm and welcomed me with open arms. Knoxville, TN was a really cool one, too — shout out to Melissa Hale!
Favorite show you played in New Jersey?
Oh man — there have been so many great ones for so many different reasons, but I recently had the chance to open for my buddy Jarod Clemons down at Wonder Bar in Asbury Park in celebration of his father, Clarence Clemons, and it was a really special night in so many ways. Jarod and I unfortunately both know what it’s like to have lost our parents and the evening really was just a spectacular way to commemorate them and the impact they had on us. He was kind enough to invite me back up to do “My Hero” with him (RIP Taylor Hawkins — I still can’t believe it) in honor of our dads, and there were just a lot of emotions that came to the surface. It’s been a long, winding road to playing music more consistently for me, but moments like that make me so glad that I decided to pursue what I love with reckless abandon. And I’m so grateful for Jarod and all of the other folks who have had my back. That sense of community is something I failed to anticipate when I sat on my hands for the majority of my twenties.
Tell us about your latest EP “Songs From An Empty Room.” What does this record mean to you? What do you hope the listeners will feel from this release?
The record represents so much to me. Most of these songs predate me losing my best pal — my dad, who gave me my first guitar and really helped develop my love of music — but the songs have become increasingly personally relevant to me as many of them touch upon topics like loss, grieving, and depression. My greatest hope is that people can see themselves in the record and feel a sense of comfort upon listening to the songs. I’ve found that one of the greatest qualities of music is its ability to transcend all kinds of circumstances and obstacles to unite people. Being able to share my story and hear stories from others is an indescribable gift. This record is my heart in five songs, so it’s a joy to share.
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You can keep up with all things Rory here and listen to “Songs From An Empty Room” here!
