GOING PLACES: Route 94
By Geoffrey Rowlands
Anyone who has heard tracks by dubstep artist and producer Dream will already be familiar with Route 94. Apart from swapping his afro for a more contemporary hairstyle, 20-year-old Rowan Jones is clearly recognisable as the man formerly known as Dream.
“I decided on the name change when I started creating a different style of music,” Rowan explained. “Although I was making dubstep tunes, I was always fascinated by the seemingly endless variations in the dance music genre. I actually incorporated some of these in a few of my dubstep tracks. But I realised this ruined the purity of dubstep. I felt I should change my musical identity to explore other forms of dance.”
As Rowan moved from dubstep into deep house so his Dream moniker gave way to Route 94. His new stage name was not chosen at random. “I wanted to find a name which suited someone who creates dance tracks. Route 94 is the highway in America which links Chicago and Detroit. As house music was effectively born in Chicago and Detroit is the home of techno, I think my new name could hardly be more appropriate for a dance music DJ and producer.”
Hailing from the Richmond suburb of London, Rowan began his professional career four years ago. Come On, his first EP as Dream, was released in January, 2011. Two more EPs plus a number of remixes, all of which gained heavy support from major names in the dance field, quickly saw Rowan proclaimed as the next big thing. Yet not only did he change both musical direction and his stage name, he actually concealed his true identity.
“People had known me as Dream for nearly three years so I wanted to gradually reveal myself as Route 94. I hoped the fans would enjoy my Route 94 music and then feel comfortable in accepting my change of style.”
Rowan was amused by those music insiders who attempted to guess the man or woman behind Route 94. “I allowed it to be known that Route 94 was an established producer who had chosen a new stage name to accompany a change of musical direction. I’d set up the Route 94 Twitter account and was getting loads of people asking if I was this or that person.
“Fans were one thing but it was funny to have critics and music writers coming up with all kinds of crazy guesses. I don’t think any of them suggested Route 94 might actually be me. I’m not sure if I should have been pleased or disappointed by that.”
Route 94’s debut EP, Fly For Life, was released to critical acclaim last summer. Other tracks and remixes followed before his first official single, My Love, was given to radio DJs. The song received so much pre-release airplay that My Love shooting straight to number one on the UK chart came as no great surprise.
“I’ve had fantastic support from the dance music DJs. I can’t thank them enough. Even so, I never imagined the track would be such a big hit. I didn’t set out with the intention of writing a massive pop hit. I just created the tune and waited to see what would happen.”
Also part of Rowan’s success story is singer/songwriter Jess Glynne. She co-wrote My Love and provided the radio-friendly vocals.
“Jess is getting to be an old hand at topping the singles chart,” Rowan laughed. “She spent four weeks at number one as the singer on Clean Bandit’s Rather Be. Jess is a fantastic artist and wonderful to work with. She’s just released her own new single called Home so I hope everyone will want to give it a listen.”
IN BRIEF
Lira
A mix of R&B, jazz, funk, soul and African rhythms describes the music of South African singer/songwriter Lira. Born Lerato Molapo, Lira began performing covers and some of her own songs at the age of 16. Two years later, her ability as an accountant allowed her to exchange these skills for enough time in a studio to record her first demo.
Having been discovered by musician/producer Arthur Mafokate, she released her debut album, All My Love, in 2003. The title-track topped South Africa’s singles chart.
Lira’s career path has been onwards and upwards releasing a succession of big hit records and winning a string of music awards. Italian fans enjoy her work and she has even appeared in an Italian feature film. Yet Lira remains largely unknown outside Africa.
This situation may be about to change. An international publicity campaign has just begun with the release of her single, Feel Good. This will be followed next month with the album, Rise Again.
Why not check out her music at www.reverbnation.com/misslira/songs. A number of her official song videos and live performances can also be found on YouTube.
The Dollyrots
Pop-punk outfit The Dollyrots recently released their fifth studio album, Barefoot and Pregnant.
The Los Angeles-based duo of bassist/singer Kelly Ogden and guitarist/singer Luis Cabezas have been augmented by a number of musicians over the last 14 years. Stacy Jones of American Hi-Fi and Amy Wood, who recently toured with Fiona Apple, played drums on their new album.
Critical response to The Dollyrots’ work has often been mixed. But the 13 songs on Barefoot and Pregnant represent a return to the kind of music the band were creating on their 2004 debut album, Eat My Heart Out.
Financed by fans through a Pledgemusic appeal, the new album can be heard in full at (no www.) thedollyrots.bandcamp.com/album/barefoot-and-pregnant. Links to more of the band’s music are also posted on this webpage while further tracks are available at (no www.) soundcloud.com/thedollyrots.
Those who particularly enjoy their songs can purchase more than 40 different personalised packages from www.pledgemusic.com/projects/thedollyrots#exclusives.
Brody Dalle
Australian rocker Brody Dalle will release her debut solo album, Diploid Love, on April 28. Formerly with Sourpuss, The Distillers and Spinnerette, the 35-year-old singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist first made it known she was working on solo material in November, 2012.
Although her album may have taken a fair while to complete, Brody has wasted no time in releasing singles. She has just issued Don’t Mess With Me as the album’s latest single, the second within a week and the third since February 9.
All three singles, plus an interview with BBC Radio 1 DJ Zane Lowe, can be heard at (no www.) soundcloud.com/iambrodydalle.
Skremz
Nigerian rapper Skremz is making quite a name for himself on the UK music scene. Now based in London, Skremz has been recognised with the kind of critical endorsements which mark him out as a future star.
Unlike many rappers, Skremz enjoys a variety of musical styles. Although he names Jay-Z as the artist he most admires and seeks to emulate, other favourites include Michael Jackson and rock band Evanescence.
Critics have described his rapping style as “a unique, quirky flow with a sharp delivery and deep lyrical content.” Judge for yourself by listening to the tracks posted at (no www.) soundcloud.com/skremzworld.
Among these is the radio version of his debut single, Palm Trees. Unfortunately, this is not one of the three tracks made available for free download.
