I’m happy to share my next interview with a band whose music will leave a lasting impression on you and that is none other than US based pop rock band Pale Blue Dot!
Pale Blue Dot is headed by frontman Tony LaRocco who is also the main singer of the band and has given fine vocals on their forthcoming album Echo, which releases in October this year. I was fortunate to have a catch up with Tony, and we discussed all things Pale Blue Dot! Read on to learn more about this exciting band and their music.
Hi Tony, please share your musical journey from the beginning and the formation of Pale Blue Dot.
I guess you could say it started when my wife was pregnant with our first child, but rehearsals and performing…I have to attribute it to chance meetings with other musicians. My neighbor at the time was like me, a musician who had stopped performing or playing at all. I guess you could say we inspired each other. John was his name, and he played lead on “Telescopes.” He was older and really inspired me to take that leap again. The band before “Telescopes” was a garage band, old heads trying to figure out our level. I had been in bands for years before, but between the ages of 26 and 31, I wasn’t sure if I still had it. “Telescopes” allowed me to start pursuing music again. It’s arguably the one thing I am good at, depending on your point of view.
You are about to release a brand new album titled Echo. I really enjoyed listening to it! Tell us the story behind the album.
I’m glad you enjoyed listening to it! It’s a deeply personal record, and leaving that much of myself out there lyrically makes me a little nervous. To understand “Echo,” you have to look back at our last record, “Kingdom.” We worked those tunes hard on the road before recording in 2019, and releasing it in 2020 felt like a gut punch. Songs like “Closer” and “Serotiny” were hanging out even before “Kingdom.” Shortly after “Kingdom’s” release, we started working on “Hear Me Now,” “Secondary Planet,” and the chorus of “How is New York,” which went through many iterations until we found the right progression.
The details behind the scenes, as far as personal stuff, are complex. We lost a few band members for different reasons, one of which is addressed in “Secondary Planet.” I was told during “Anatomy” (our second record) to stop making it a band and focus on Tony LaRocco. In some ways, I have and haven’t. Pale Blue Dot is very much a band on stage and in some ways in the studio, but everything else is just me.
I think “Echo” is just that, me taking a lot more control and finally saying out loud what the band had already said many times over many years: this is your band.
Were there any difficulties in getting the album together?
Yes, we faced many obstacles. Some were as simple as band members not wanting to tour or work hard anymore. My personal life was also a struggle, and I had to decide whether I could do this at the pace it deserves. Making “Echo” was challenging before we hit the studio. Jody, the producer of “Echo,” called me to make a record. We started pre-production in January 2022, and “Stay” was written in January 2023. I came in with 8-10 finished tunes and a bunch of ideas, maybe 17 in total. We worked that down to 8 songs and then wrote new ones. It was great to be able to throw stuff out. Some of it may return, but I’m okay if they don’t too.
All of that took time. Recording it was easy, but crafting, editing, and, jeez, waiting for the atmos to get there on time—it was a lot. Jody and I said many times over, “It’s okay, just take our time.” We did, and I think by working through those obstacles in a calm and direct manner, we crafted a great record, if I say so myself. I am biased.
What impact on the music industry do you hope to create with the release of Echo?
I don’t know. When we are reviewed, people are often surprised, and I like that. On tour, people come up and say things like, “Who the hell are you guys?” That’s a great feeling. While I’d love to be touring theaters and playing all over the world, it feels great to know that whether it’s with Pale Blue Dot records or on stage, we can win the room. What do I hope for? To continue winning the room, I guess.
Who are your favourite musical influences?
Radiohead, Pearl Jam, Dave Matthews Band, Coldplay, U2, Peter Gabriel, Bowie (I miss him), Dire Straits, Elbow. Looking at it in writing, it’s kind of wild that there are only a handful of American musicians. I’d probably add Wu-Tang Clan, Nas, Big Wreck. I need music with teeth, something important, authentic. I know Coldplay gets criticized for not doing that, but those first four records are amazing. Matthews Band gets criticized too, but people don’t understand the musicianship happening on that stage.
Please share any future plans for Pale Blue Dot.
We have plans to be on the road in the fall, hoping for larger, more expansive dates in the spring.
Thank you so much Tony for your time and sharing the band’s journey with us. The band’s album Echo releases on 18th October 2024 and will be available to stream on all popular music platforms.
Jem Girl at the Piano 