New release from Roscoe - Princes of the Hollow Tree. We caught up with the enigmatic troubadour

Roscoe has a new album out called Princes of the Hollow Tree. We caught up with the enigmatic troubadour and Radio Free South West stalwart to find out more about him and his music

There’s a timeless quality to your music, mixing elements of blues and folk. How would you describe your music?

I generally just play the music and hopefully it speaks for itself.

How important is the role of the singer/musician as a storyteller?

I think the roles are essentially interchangeable and always have been so in cultures all over the world since man first started making music.

Musically your influences are far ranging, but you also list novelists and other artists. What attracts and inspired you in other people’s work, and how does that affect your own work?

In terms of song writing, inspiration can come from books, films paintings – pretty much anything that sparks my imagination, even TV!

You describe yourself as being in the ‘middle of the stix’. How important is setting to your song writing, and are there themes running through your songs?

I spent quite a few years basically homeless and moved around a lot and I think the experience of being on the periphery and travelling run through as themes in my songwriting. So the setting is not so important as opposed to the process of movement  and transition.

You’ve got a new release out. What can we expect, when is it out and where can we get it?

You can expect a song cycle that I’m really proud of, packaged beautifully in recycled materials with artwork designed by my very talented partner Flo. You can buy it through Myspace and my website and all the digital providers – and it’s just out.

Is there anything you’d like to add?

Thanks for having me, and for asking such perceptive questions. Oh yeah, and thanks to everyone who has voted for me on Radio Free South West where I’ve had songs from the album voted number 1 on a couple of occasions – and Happy Christmas, of course!

Roscoe, many thanks

• Here’s the video of Silver River, the first song from the Princes of the Hollow Tree album – buy it on his Myspace or website.

Silver River (remix)

Roscoe | MySpace Music Videos