Roots Asylum is a band from Michigan that is focused on roots rock. They are a group of friends who create their own original tracks that are close to their hearts and that have a strong spirit. With a lot of Michigan influences, the band creates a close-to-home musical experience and a continuous journey that is sure to enthuse rock fans with more projects.
2021 saw the release of two new projects from this band, a single titled Take Her Back, Louisiana, and an EP called Home Brew. Each of their songs draws from a well of life experiences to inspire others as the group has felt inspired. Their music is very heartfelt, very rooted in their own lives and likes, which makes it appealing and gives it a feeling of home.
Roots Asylum features vocals, guitars, and drums to create that essential rock experience. They feel proud to be from Michigan, and this is reflected in their identity and style, creating effective music that is true to their identity. The members of the group are friends, and this also shows in the synergy they have when playing together and in the fun that is expressed in their songs. Authenticity is something that makes the band stand out, and that adds a lot of feeling to their performances and music as well. Comic books are another interest that brings the band members together and is reflected in their tracks.
If you are near Michigan, you can find the band playing live on Friday, January 7th, 2022, at the Final Gravity Brewing Company in Kalamazoo, Michigan. Roots Asylum often plays live shows, so make sure to follow them on social media and stay tuned for new live event announcements. Many of their live events are paired with breweries, which is also reflected in the music they make and their country-style heartfelt approach.
Their music is certain to hit the spot with rock fans and, in particular, those like their music grounded in a country and folk tradition, bringing a lot of Michigan spirit and heartfelt inspiration to every track. With an approachable style, this band is sure to bring some positive energy and style to anyone’s day and is an excellent offering for anyone looking for more homebrewed rock and roots rock. As an indie band, Roots Asylum has a lot of charm, style, and authenticity without the pretentiousness of other acts that make them easy to like and enjoy. Their live shows are a joy, but you can find a lot to discover on their Spotify, YouTube, and other platforms. Their latest EP, Home Brew, is a perfect introduction to their work and features some of their most-streamed songs ever. Check out their live events to enjoy the energy and good vibes they bring to every show, and stay tuned for future projects!
You can find their music on Spotify and other major music streaming platforms. Check out their Twitter @AsylumRoots and Instagram @officialrootsasylum to learn more or visit their website.
We had the pleasure of interviewing Jimmy. Here are the excerpts from the Interview.
Hello Jimmy Macaroni, Great to have you with us today! Please introduce your band.
Jimmy: The name of our band is “Roots Asylum,” and we are a Michigan roots rock band featuring vocals, guitars, and drums. Primarily, we perform original music with a few cover songs sprinkled in. The cover songs are by bands like the Rolling Stones, Iggy Pop, Bob Seger, and David Bowie. The band members include Jeromy Timmer on electric guitar and vocals, CD Craig on bass guitar and vocals, A.A. Miller on drums, and I’m Jimmy Macaroni playing acoustic and electric guitars and vocals. We also have Susan Spade behind the scenes, and she co-writes the songs. Together we make good music, one song at a time.
Interesting, what is the origin of your band?
Jimmy: The band came together about a year before the pandemic. We were ready to start gigging and booked a couple of shows, and then the world shut down. The gigs we had lined up vanished one by one. Fortunately, we used the lockdown time to release our original songs to music platforms like Spotify, Apple Music, and Pandora, among others. We’re delighted that the skies have opened up a bit, and we’ve been performing at local brewpubs. All that time we were jamming in the basement, one might have thought we turned into trolls. We were kind of stuck down there like unemployed gamers.
Ha, ha! Lovely, so please do tell more detail on how the songs are crafted?
Jimmy: The songs are just whimsical collections of metaphors and fragments from life experiences. They’re driven as much by logic as emotion. The stories hopefully connect with those who have perhaps experienced something similar. Often, the experience is deep and hidden. Even the structure of the songs seems simple but has nuance and complexity.
The inspiration for a song can come from anywhere. It may start by strumming the acoustic guitar and trying to grab some lyrics from out of the air. Sometimes this is done with my friend Bud Weiser. He helps to get things rolling. We share a six-pack, and it opens a stream of consciousness that loosens things up. I turn on the voice recorder and capture the ideas hoping for something special. I also often work with Susan from the onset, and she is the Lucy to my Ricky. She’s the Lennon to my McCartney. She’s a little bit country, and I’m… you know.
Inevitably, at some point, the crafting of the song becomes serious. Lyrics are written on paper and strewn about the house. Days pass. Mulling this or that. An idea may sit for months or even years. When it comes to writing songs, one must often skulk upon the lyrics. Or test the meaning quizzaciously. Other times, just let it be what it is. Most often, it is ideal for delivering the song in its simplest form with perhaps a couple of mathematical moments. The focusing is primarily on the conveyance of emotion and allowing the lyrics to land easily. Once the song is viable, the band will pick it up and contribute ideas. It’s all very collaborative, really. I wish Weird Al would stop by someday.
Do you have any albums available? Or anything in the works?
Jimmy: Yes to both. We released a 6-song EP called “Home Brew” in the spring of 2021. And we’re back in the studio working on our next release. Our new collection of songs has more of a rock influence, whereas the previous release had a mix of rock and folk sensibilities. We are still evolving as a band. Jeromy and I are currently on a quest for more guitar riffs, and that will probably continue into our 3rd release when that time comes.
That’s interesting, so tell us about your upcoming show.
Jimmy: You can catch us on Friday, January 7th (2022) at Final Gravity Brewing Company in downtown Kalamazoo, Michigan. It is a wonderful brewpub with fresh ideas and seasonal brews. The sound and stage are amazing. If you love microbrews and music, you surely can’t go wrong; please stop in. They have a food truck outside the back door. You can get pizza but no anchovies.
Fantastic! So tell us, how can people find out more about you?
Jimmy: Go to rootsasylum.com to listen and book us. We’re also on Facebook, Twitter, and other platforms. Our music is on Spotify, Apple Music, Pandora, and YouTube, among other platforms. We’re grateful for everyone who listens and hope you enjoy it. Please check out our music and enjoy a show! Best wishes.
Thank you so much, Jimmy, for giving us your precious time! We wish you all the best for your journey ahead!
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