Award winning singer/songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and guitar extraordinaire Rocky Kramer is currently in the studio to record his highly anticipated new album entitled “Alone in the Rain” via Allied Music Group. He will also be recording the soundtrack for his upcoming film of which he “won” the starring role in a contest, “Rockin’ in Time.”
The Norwegian born guitar virtuoso will be recording his new music at EastWest Studios on Sunset Blvd. in Hollywood at the famed Studio 2. The studio was formally known as United Western Recorders and later Ocean Way Recording. The studio is rich in rock and music history and artists who have recorded there include: Elton John, Tom Petty, AC/DC, Green Day, Weezer, Iggy Pop, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Michael Jackson(Thriller), Madonna (Like A Prayer), Blondie (The Tide is High), U2 (Rattle and Hum) and others.
The studio is also a superb venue for Rocky to record his film soundtrack considering the fact that it’s known for soundtrack productions inclusive of Iron Man ll, A Star is Born, Jurassic World, Selma and others. Rocky was perfect for his role as a rocker since he actually loves the songs and music from the 80’s.
Rocky will welcome a BTS camera crew and still photographer while he is recording. His weekly show “Rock and Roll Tuesdays with Rocky Kramer” on Twitch will return next week. His show has amassed an enormous loyal fan constituency who look forward to his theme each week.
Rocky has appeared on stage with prestigious artists including Rick Wakeman (YES), Joey Belladonna (Anthrax), Buckberry, Leland Sklar (Toto), Ozzy Osborne, Kim Sledge, Kenny Aronoff (Smashing Pumpkins), Steve Vai, and many others. He has headlined festivals, and had great success with his freshman album “Firestorm” and his hit single off the album “Rock Star.”
Your first record was a concept album. Will your new one “Alone in the Rain” be similar?
Yes, “Alone in the Rain” is also a concept album. However, like “Firestorm”, each of the tracks, while part of an overarching story, constitute individual singles (stories into themselves), within which listeners can become emersed, tell their own separate stories on their own.
What was your inspiration for your new album?
As with my first album, “Alone in the Rain” captures a period in his life that he translated into music. Because much of it is interpretive and subject to the listener’s perspective, Rocky wants the audience to draw their own conclusions as to the meaning of each song, as well as the overall concept. As was the case with “Firestorm”, various people will listen to the album and draw a parallel to their own lives, based on the lyrical emotions expressed in each song. While perhaps not a direct parallel to my life experiences, the overall meaning is just as important to the listener as it was to me.
When do you imagine the new album will be released and will you be releasing a single in advance of that?
As to when the album will be released, it will depend greatly upon the release of the movie, Rockin’ In Time, where I play the starring role of Lars Olsen, an upcoming rock star, in the year 1985, who gets unwittingly thrust into the year 2025 by way of a girl genius inventor’s time throne, and struggles to get back to the year 1985. There will definitely be singles from the new album as well as the soundtrack.
Certainly your inspiration for the soundtrack was the movie and your role, what can you share with us regarding the film and the soundtrack?
Some of the emotions expressed in “Alone in the Rain” happen to work perfectly in relation to the “Rockin’ In Time” screenplay. While Rocky has written a number of tracks specifically for the movie, some of the tracks from “Alone in the Rain” will also be used. Given the storyline and commitments from various 80’s rockers, there will also be some rerecorded cover tunes familiar to audiences around the globe.
When do you start shooting the motion picture?
The entire timeline for “Rockin’ In Time” shifted as a result of the recently settled WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes. While we are recording the soundtrack now, the specific filming dates for “Rockin’ In Time” have yet to be pinned down, although it is anticipated to begin principal photography later this year.
Do you have a song either on your new album or the soundtrack that you are particularly proud of or that you can’t wait to perform live?
Being a concept album, the entire album is designed to be played live. Depending on the venue, audience and nature of the performance, live shows may be limited to selected cuts from the album – and very likely the movie. At that point, it will be very hard to pick from them all, as Rocky is emotionally attached to each song on the album.
What’s next for Rocky beyond the film and the album and will you be touring in support of the music?
A tour is definitely planned and will have to be coordinated with the release of “Rockin’ In Time”, to enable me to get out and support the movie. Having said that, I cannot wait to hit the live stage again!
Will you continue your Rock and Roll Tuesdays?
Absolutely, with the caveat that some shows may have to be preempted as a result of film shoot schedules, live performances, etc. However, I plan to continue my Rock & Roll Tuesdays show to the best of my ability, even if it requires remote appearances on the road. Logistics may be a nightmare, but technology should permit me to continue interacting with my live viewers from around the world, that now number into the many thousands each week.
The official website for Rock Kramer may be found at https://www.rockykramer.com