Rocky Votolato

Rocky Votolato is a singer-songwriter from Washington, USA. Formerly a member of the band Waxwing, he began his solo career in 1996 and has a number of released albums, splits and EPs. His long career has given his sound time to mature, with some of his most recent full length albums including The Brag and Cuss (2007) and Makers (2006) receiving critical acclaim alongside the still popular Suicide Medicine (2003). He is part of a successful group of musicians who have stripped down from a full band sound to create an acoustic, indie-folk side project. His work has featured fellow indie stars including members of The Blood Brothers, Death Cab for Cutie, and Pedro the Lion. Votolato often plays alongside other punk-turned-acoustic acts. He was a part of the Revival Tour in 2012 alongside Chuck Ragan (of Hot Water Music), Matt Pryor (of The Get up Kids) and Dave Hause (of The Loved Ones). On the Revival Tour, members of the tour formed a backing band as he played his acoustic guitar. Otherwise, he can often be found playing solo with just an acoustic guitar. His songs are quietly devastating and profound, often touching on subjects like suicide and regret. Suicide Medicine, the title track to his first album, frankly discusses the implications of death. On stage, Votolato is incredibly humble and constantly thankful to the audience. Members of the audience sway in time to the music, quietly singing along to his most successful songs like White Daisy Passing which once featured on hit tv show The OC. He is a talented musician with vocals reminiscent of other successful solo artists like Sam Russo and, indeed, Chuck Ragan. I would love to see Votolato as part of the Revival Tour again, but his solo shows are equally as special. His concerts feel more like a conversation than a show as he spills his guts to an audience staring back at him in awe. This man has a real way with words and he is not afraid to touch on the darker subjects of the human condition. Though he has not released a studio album in a while, he continues to tour successfully showing how his songs are as timeless as they are beautiful. This is man not to be missed.