Mike Ruocco

12+ albums

pop rockrockmelodic rockPop-Rockalt. rock

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about

Mike Ruocco started his first band at the age of 12, was signed to a major label by 19 and soon after was touring the world with the likes of KISS, Alice Cooper and Daughtry. He’s played in stadiums and heard several of his songs dominate rock radio. But even after that kind of success, the singer/guitarist has had a moment to pause, reassess and start down a new path. His aptly-titled new record The Rise. The Ride. The Risk marks that turning point. “I’m proud of that title: it’s everything my music represents,” says Ruocco. “The rise – this is beginning of my new career. The ride – a look back, reflecting on where I’ve been. The risk – this is all me. I’m doing this all independently because I feel so strongly about the material. I just want to get back on the road and play my new songs for the people who want to listen…whether it’s 20 or 20,000.” While his previous work was more in a hard rock/alt-rock vein, Ruocco’s new record reflects serious growth, both lyrically and musically. Freed from restrictive label politics, the singer was able to experiment with heaviness, ballads, acoustic songs and even electronic elements. “Most people listen to all kinds of music, and that’s the record I wanted to make,” he says. “I don’t want 10 or 12 songs that all sound the same – that era of music is over.” Shaping the diverse nature of the record was the recording process, which saw the singer track new songs with different producers in Birmingham, Benton (Illinois), Los Angeles and R