Roses & Revolutions Announce Debut EP; Listen To “White Wave” Here
July 2, 2018 BY Nettwerk
“Coco’s breathy voice drips into the rhythmic creases between guitar notes and subdued hi-hats, giving this one an eerie and melodic feel to it. The desolate production provides a soundtrack to seclusion; emphasizing the escapist attitude of the lyrics.” – Indie Shuffle
“Roses & Revolutions have been killing it this year.” – YourEDM
“It’s a collaboration that is very much beauty and the beast, Coco’s sensuous and arresting vocals take the foreground, while Merritt rages behind the scenes.” – Artist Direct
“It’s clear that the delicate dynamics of Roses & Revolutions are undeniable and point to a powerful new voice in today’s indie-pop scene.” – Northern Transmissions
“[Moment] grasps onto their folk roots but pushes the boundaries into feverish, percussion-based electro-pop…Rising out of the ashes of quaking thumps and dizzying swirls, the pair finds their way.” – Popdust
Alyssa Coco and Matt Merritt, the Upstate duo known as Roses & Revolutions share a vibe-y, chill-pop track called “White Wave” from their self-titled debut EP (out August 3 via Nettwerk Records). With “White Wave,” Coco playfully uses colors as symbols of physical, mental, and emotional states as represented by strengths, weaknesses, vulnerabilities and challenges that play out in one’s relationship to others and one’s own perception of self.
The EP is a first for the duo that formed in 2014 and exemplifies the delicate dynamics of Merritt’s studied background in music and Coco’s powerhouse, impassioned vocals. As members of a bigger multi-instrumental band, Coco and Merritt recognized in each other a kindred spirit despite different musical backgrounds and influences. While Merritt had grown up a student of music who took years of lessons, learned theory and studied jazz performance and guitar technique, Coco taught herself by feel, learning to play piano by practicing on a family organ in her basement and teaching herself to sing by following along with Vanessa Carlton and the Titanic soundtrack.
“One day Matt asked me if I was interested in jamming, to see if we connected,” Coco says. “A couple rehearsals later we realized we had something; when we got in a room and played a song, even a cover, with his guitar and my piano together, it was fun—a different kind of connection.”
Artists like Ella Vos, Bishop Briggs, Amy Shark, Kaleo and Lorde inspire the duo to maintain authenticity and confidence in their music. It’s this commitment of character that has led the band to some key successes, with only the release of 3 original tracks and one cover (“The Hills” by The Weeknd). In the fall of 2016, Coco and Merritt released “The Pines,” a rallying point for fans at shows as well as online with features at Paste, Indie Shuffle, All Things Go, Yahoo! Music and others. Spotify Canada discovered “The Pines,” added it to a playlist, and it took off, eventually reaching #2 on the Viral Chart. Last year, the band released the dreamy, dramatic track called “Moment” and the “big, ground-shaking, infectious and towering” [Indie Current] track called “Get That Feeling.” With the viral success of all four tracks, the duo booked opening gigs with accomplished acts like K Flay, Nina Nesbitt, Kaleo, VÉRITÉ as well as their own headlining shows.
