Hailing from the Southeast of the United Kingdom, melodic yet progressive rock act The Room is thrilled to announce their signing to White Star Records, the label owned and operated by Chris Hillman and John Mitchell. This announcement comes shortly after White Star Records added London prog rock outfit Quantum Pig to their growing roster of artists. Both bands now join a label that currently houses the likes of Voices From The Fuselage, Kepler Ten and The Paradox Twin.
Chris Hillman details the journey leading toward this signing event:
“I’d been aware of The Room for some time and became very impressed with their musicianship, however, the thing that really won me over was this huge step up in their melodic, anthemic quality. It feels like The Room is growing and developing with every album, and I find many of their melodies going around in my head after listening – real “earworms” that I think will resonate with a large audience. Get ready for some quality prog with sticky, memorable moments!”
Along with their signing announcement, The Room has simultaneously unveiled early details of a new studio album. Their upcoming third full-length is titled ‘Caught By The Machine’ and will be released on 22nd February 2019. Ahead of this release, the sextet is giving fans and newcomers a taste of things to come with their first video single for the track ‘Broken’.
Binding a broad range of musical influences into a distinct and nostalgic sound, smart songwriting and captivating melodies form the foundation of The Room’s musical core. ‘Broken’ proves no exception, but don’t let it’s bright, foot-tapping, major-key guitar riffing fool you – there’s more to the single than meets the eye…
“I had to think long and hard about how ‘Broken’ was to be approached,” explains vocalist Martin Wilson. “I’d always wanted to play with the idea that most problems people have been brought on by themselves; Wrong life decisions, bad investments, excessive drink, and drugs abuse, mistreatment of others and so on. Often, I have found that people in these positions are the first to complain, but the last to admit fault.”
“With ‘Broken’, the instrumental backdrop is uplifting, with this jaunty feel to it, but I wanted to find something different – a juxtaposition if you like – to the lyrics, adding a little more intrigue to the song. So we’ve got this upbeat instrumental backing, while the lyrics offer a slightly darker picture. Spiraling out of control because of one’s own actions, how life can crash over negativity you’ve brought on yourself and so on…and yet you still complain and pass blame.”
The Room unashamedly admits that they wrote “Broken” as something of a challenge to themselves. All too aware of the modern specifics of genre definition, the band hoped to be able to break prog traditions, writing a three-minute, mainstream song that would merge the great melodies and broad choruses of prog, whilst remaining radio-friendly and accessible.
Despite the strong narrative of ‘Broken’, The Room recognized the bounce and drive of the single and wanted to bring this to life even more with a quirky, fun music video, shot at the 2018 Cambridge Rock Festival by MHG Music Videos.
