Rooftop Screamers – Souvenirs (2024)
An established name in the music industry as an in-demand drummer with numerous accolades, award-winning musician and songwriter Mike Collins presents his studio project Rooftop Screamers. Blending his original songwriting skills with poetic storytelling and a great beat, Rooftop Screamers saunters from rock to power-pop. The founding member of the group Throwback Suburbia, Collins already has a throw of international followers pushing far beyond his US borders; however, and I’m quite embarrassed to admit, this is my first listen of Mike Collins’ music. Come with me as I delve into his latest single, ‘Souvenirs’.
Following the well-received singles ‘Dead In The Water’ and ‘Another Life’, ‘Souvenirs’ is Rooftop Screamers first release in 2024. Stepping back to yesteryear, ‘Souvenirs’ taps into the last few decades of the 20th century in its nostalgic classic rock tones. Recorded and produced with Mark Plati, the new track is a concoction of pounding drums, bold bass, soaring guitars and shimmering keyboard wrapped in a shiny sonic package. Interestingly, while there is a strong definition of each instrument (Collins on guitar and Plati on bass, drums and keyboard), ‘Souvenirs’ is a harmonic symphony capturing your heart with its soothing sound.
For me, it is the shimmering keyboard with the dynamic vocals that bring a certain je ne sais quoi to ‘Souvenirs’. Randy McStine, known for his work with Porcupine Tree, fills the track with rich, warm, comforting vocals holding you close in a sonic hug. Yet, while the melody is catchy and infectious, the lyricism brings poignant profoundness. Exploring love, loss and the emotional side of things, ‘Souvenirs’ is heart-breaking and simultaneously endearing. Collins explains:
“This song is catchy but also full of emotion. It deals with the loss of a loved one (in this case my grandmother) and is a testament to her memory and legacy.”
In addition to the single, Rooftop Screamers released an official music video for ‘Souvenirs’. You can view the video below and on Rooftop Screamers YouTube channel. Please note that this video uses lighting effects that can trigger migraines and/or seizures in people with photosensitive epilepsy. Viewer discretion is advised.
Find out more about Rooftop Screamers on his Facebook and Spotify.
This artist was discovered via Musosoup #sustainablecurator
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