THIS week we chat with up-and-coming singer\/songwriter and guitarist Jasper Roda (aka Through the Night), who credits his folks for having played a big role in encouraging him to take bigger and bolder steps, giving advice when he\u2019s needed it most.<\/p>\n
What motivated you to take up singing\/songwriting and guitar?<\/strong><\/p>\n When I was younger, music was a constant.<\/p>\n The house was always filled with noise, whether it be The White Stripes, Manic Street Preachers, Kasabian (or) The Beatles – to name a few.<\/p>\n Along with that, my father would always be playing guitar – and I can remember thinking how cool it was.<\/p>\n For me, music has always said more than words ever can.<\/p>\n My parents bought me my first guitar when I was around 4 years old – a nylon acoustic which I had no concept of how to play.<\/p>\n Until I was 9 or 10, that guitar lay dormant until I was inspired by my favourite musicians to pick the six-string back up and, along with encouragement from my parents, I taught myself how to play.<\/p>\n How would you describe your style?<\/strong><\/p>\n A mix of post-punk and alternative, (with) influences of psychedelia and shoegaze as well.<\/p>\n I initially intended Through The Night to be a grunge \/ hard rock project, however after the release of my first EP in 2023 I became interested in more alternative artists like Radiohead, Placebo and Doves.<\/p>\n I was fascinated by how they could manage to blend many genres together, and that\u2019s what I attempted to achieve on my debut album released in May – recorded entirely on GarageBand on my phone.<\/p>\n Some songs are fuzzed out and layered in feedback, others are sparse (with) a variety of sounds and styles mixed in.<\/p>\n Which singers\/songwriters inspire you?<\/strong><\/p>\n I always find myself coming back to the late Richey Edwards (Manic Street Preachers) – for his breathtaking and distinct lyrical style, Jack White (The White Stripes) – for how he manages to make simplicity sound so complicated, Kevin Parker (Tame Impala) – how he creates psychedelic soundscapes and swirling melodies, and Sergio Pizzorno (Kasabian) – for his ability to write songs that range from quiet and introspective to psychedelic and punky.<\/p>\n Have you had any mentors over your career?<\/strong><\/p>\n My parents have played a big role in encouraging me to take bigger and bolder steps, giving advice when I\u2019ve needed it most.<\/p>\n I\u2019d also like to shout out Sam Edmonds for spreading the word about my music to people I\u2019ve looked up to.<\/p>\n