What you see when you’re full of wonder
You’re a fool to all the others
When they see the things you ponder
In the enigmatic world of ROD, genre is but a trivial construct. It’s a union of Micah Wu and Angie Willcutt – an unexpected meeting of the minds, ignited by a shared love of music. It all began innocently enough, with strolls and chats, exchanging tracks that struck a chord with them. Then one fateful night, in the warm glow of flickering candles, epiphany struck. The lovers from Kentucky sat together, their fingers dancing on Angie’s Casio keyboard. And they never stopped.
While Lexington may be their birthplace, the band truly came to life a year later, in the stark beauty of southern California’s deserts. Inspired by the likes of Algebra Suicide, Lives of Angels, Deux, and Suicide, ROD was officially born. Many of the defining songs that feature in their debut album “Rot and Fruition” were crafted on the side of a desert road, outside Joshua Tree National Park. During the day, the duo would collect solar energy to power their instruments for hours, crafting the beginnings of their music under the starry nights. The result is a collection of introspective moments during the proverbial dark night of the soul – yearning for answers, or at least a reprieve from anguish.
“ROD’s mission is to brew inspiration for the exploration of oneself, heading on a path of self-acceptance,” says the band.
The album opens with “Cryptid Dreams”, a hypnotic psychedelic-tinged synth ode to the mysteries of nature and the night. Willcut’s drowsy, lulling vocals put us into the state of mind of the desert, a gentle siren pulling us into their world. The next track, “Yr Song”, kicks into high gear, a highly unusual love song. The band delves into questions of philosophy “(Psychological; Pain)”, and a desire for comfort and safety with blues riffs worthy of Angelo Badalamenti “(S.R.A.)”. Willcut strongly channels the sing-song of Suburban Lawns in “Familial”, a chanted ode to generational trauma.
The first audience ROD played for was a wily desert coyote, curiously drawn to the sounds emanating from the sands. The vastness of the land they inhabited left an indelible mark, as they returned to Kentucky, continuing to write and record.
ROD’s sound has evolved over time, as they crafted their debut album. Their music has formed a sonic love language between the two, a language that transcends traditional musical genres. The enigmatic ROD is a collaboration of two artists, creating something unique and inspiring for all to experience.
Listen to this extraordinary album below:
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