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ROCKY LOVES EMILY

"Secrets Don't Make Friends" In Stores April 24th!        
 

Pop / Pop / Pop

310 fans / 14,176 total plays / 0 plays today

Detroit, MI, MI

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  • Rocky Loves Emily's "I Don't Like You" -- Song of the Day

    Rocky Loves Emily's new song, "I Don't Like You," is far from the bitter anthem its title may imply. The initial guitar riffs and drum bursts will clue you in that this one's going to pack in the energy… Read More »

     
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Rocky Loves Emily

Brandon Ellis- Vocals
Pete Kalinowski- Drums
Sean Kick- Guitar
Andrew Stevens- Guitar
Stephen Hull- Bass/Keys

Honesty is the best policy. Or, at least, it’s the sensibility Rocky Loves Emily embraced while making their long-awaited debut album, Secrets Don’t Make Friends.

As reflected in the disc’s title, the band was focused on channeling a true representation of themselves both as people and musicians on the album. In many ways, the album showcases how the rock group, who hail from a suburb of Detroit, MI, has grown up since forming early 2009. From their first EP, released at the stroke of midnight that New Years Eve, to their first disc on Tooth & Nail, the 2010 EP American Dream, Rocky Loves Emily has been on a journey to discover how best to express themselves.

“The band grew into who we are as people between the EP and this album,” Andrew explains. “We figured out who we are and put it into music.”

That process was greatly aided by producer Matt Grabe (The Maine, The Summer Set). After touring to support American Dream, Rocky Loves Emily headed down to Phoenix in July of 2011, armed with an album’s worth of demos they’d recorded in their practice space back in Michigan. Originally, the plan was to flesh out the demos using electronic elements, but Matt quickly rerouted the process to embrace the band’s live rock aesthetic.

“We had written all the songs on our own back in Michigan and recorded demos of them,” Brandon says. “Just rough live recording demos, just one mike in the room. When we sent Matt the demos he was really excited about the fact that we didn’t just track everything perfectly. So when we went to record with him he tried to push us to not be a cookie cutter, overly engineered band. He wanted us to have an organic, rock ‘n ‘roll feel. He pushed us to accept our human flaws, which allowed the recordings to be alive.”

The band spent three and a half weeks in the studio with Matt, pushing themselves to be the best musicians they could be. Matt encouraged the band members to record every sound on the album themselves—no computerized drums or electronic sounds. The result is a compelling, dynamic collection of songs that focus on genuinely honest expression rather than perfection. Much of that sincerity comes from Brandon’s lyrics, which were strongly inspired by a bad relationship and its heartbreaking end.

“I took my mask off,” Brandon says. “On the EP I said what I thought people wanted to hear, but on this one I didn’t think about that. Every song was my heart on paper. I felt—and I still feel—nervous because I’m very exposed on the record. I’ve never put out a project where it’s my heart.”

There’s something of bipolarity on Secrets Don’t Make Friends because of this thematic content. The pop-rock instrumentals create upbeat, outgoing melodies while Brandon’s lyrics search for deeper, more introspective meaning. “I Don’t Like You” is a catchy rocker with propulsive guitar riffs and driving beats, embodying a sense of catharsis as Brandon reveals how he feels about his ex. “Oil & Water,” a slower, more anthemic rock number, explores the other end of the spectrum, showcasing the band’s musical range. Ultimately, though, the disc is whatever the listener needs it to be in the moment.

“If you’re happy and you put on the record you’ll have a good time,” Andrew says. “But if you’re feeling down you can dig into the lyrics and find something to relate to.”

So while the album is about honesty, in both vague and straightforward ways, it also represents it. Rocky Loves Emily toured extensively for over a year on their American Dream EP and during that time the members discovered their identities, individually and collectively. The album reveals the same band as the EP, but with more confidence and self-awareness, which is something they feel these new songs convey.

“We just wanted more real songs,” Brandon concludes. “Stuff from the heart about the things we were going through as people. Matt definitely saw that and helped us complete that vision. It’s an album we can all be proud of.”

Updates (488)

COMMENT what song do you want us to cover on tour?
about Oct 09 via Twitter
You know you're officially shipped when you get sent boxers... Dan from Pup Fresh and me for life... #dandon http://t.co/NkD585Pt
about Oct 09 via Twitter
Hey #TeamRLE! Get you $10 tickets or $40 VIP tickets for our FALL TOUR here: http://t.co/eQ8o0J6E
about Oct 09 via Twitter
Tour starts in a week and a half!!! BOOYAH GRANDMAAAA!
about Oct 09 via Twitter
LIKE if you've ever felt this. I love when fans post our lyrics on tumblr :) http://t.co/67GzABTt
about Oct 08 via Twitter
Do you all like it? -Brandon http://t.co/RqzdRdU6
about Oct 07 via Twitter
LIKE if u want to carve pumpkins with us! (here's my "before" pic) -Brandon http://t.co/aTARb9eb
about Oct 07 via Twitter
While making homemade apple cider in the kitchen this morning, my brother Ryan started singing "Sweet Child of... http://t.co/nwvn9E4i
about Oct 06 via Twitter
Playing a last minute show tonight with our friend Mike Mains at the PikeRoom in Pontiac Michigan. filling in for... http://t.co/lpWgLr8O
about Oct 06 via Twitter
LIKE if Rebecca Black forever ruined the word FRIDAY for you. -Brandon
about Oct 05 via Twitter

Comments (21)

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  • LiGhtNiNg Vs SnoW said:
    i love this band +fav Apr 17
  • BonjourClarence said:
    wow！look forward to your new album!!! I Don't Like You and Be Mine Tonight sound so amazing! Apr 16
  • Quinta Novita said:
    more have fun at your facebook :) Feb 17
  • Emily said:
    AH! i love you guys!:D Nov 06
  • Kelso:) said:
    Seein Them Tomorrow:D BAHHH! Jan 27
  • Meagan Asselta said:
    best band everrrrrrrrrrrr Jan 20
  • Luis Blanco said:
    i like XD IS THE BEST BAND :D Dec 28
  • Eric Owen said:
    Hey if you like to dance, check out the band that I work with JAGGED! Let me know if you like it! You can download there tracks as well! LISTEN TO "JAGGED" http://www.purevolume.com/JAGGED99226 Dec 15
  • Jamieee :) said:
    Seriously, I love you guys :) Dec 10
  • @Lysattack said:
    adorable boys with good music (: Nov 05
  • Kiki Liu said:
    Oct 26
  • heartagram72 said:
    come to the lo Jun 06
  • MightyMidget said:
    you really need to put up roses, its so cute. =]] Jun 04
  • Amityville-Kyle said:
    I have a Podcast, and I want to do a full 5-8 song show featuring an indie band or artist! If you are interested, add a link to my podcast on your MySpace, PureVolume, and on your other sites if you have any. Whoever e-mails me first with the links on their sites will be featured on my podcast. The link to my podcast is http://kylewallace.podbean.com and my email is blue216@rogers.com Jun 02
  • JORDYNasaurx said:
    Saw you guys last night! Amazing. Feb 25
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