silver skates
Lush indie pop delivered with tenor vocals, driven by acoustic guitars and giddy with Wurtlitzer electric piano, vintage synthesizers, layered with haunting pedal steel, imparting a delicious 70’s AM radio nuance nestled in broad soundscapes. silver skates is the band project fronted by singer-songwriter Roger Gupton. After backing up and contributing to recordings by such artists as The Backsliders (Mammoth Records), Caitlin Cary (Whiskeytown, Tres Chicas, Small Ponds), and Kenny Roby (Six String Drag), Roger was tapped by Darren Jessee (Ben Folds Five) to help form his critically-acclaimed indie pop band, Hotel Lights (Bar/None). Roger contributed bass, vocals, songwriting, production & arranging to their debut album 'Hotel Lights' and EP 'goodnightgoodmorning.' He toured extensively with the band including several appearances at SXSW and The Artist Den supporting Ben Kweller. Hotel Lights has also had its music featured on such television shows as 'Grey’s Anatomy' and 'One Tree Hill,' and in the major motion picture 'Baby Mama.' During his time with Hotel Lights Roger kept writing on his own, stockpiling music that did not find an outlet within the band. Influences include both '70s singer songwriters and postmodern pop. Roger’s songwriting style has drawn comparisons to Todd Rundgren and Paul Simon in its harmonic sensibilities. Roger’s music distills 70s pop-craft down to its core meter and melody imbued with technical elegance. Upon Jessee’s relocation to New York, Roger left Hotel Lights and began recording at home, eventually playing his songs for friend and producer David McConnell (Elliott Smith, Goldenboy). David’s excitement and enthusiasm for what he heard inspired Roger to release what became the 'Postcard EP,' which was mixed by McConnell at Altamont Studios in Asheville, North Carolina. After being selected as a general-round winner in the 2010 Mountain Stage NewSong contest, Roger started performing his music solo, with a duo featuring pedal-steel virtuoso Allyn Love (Jeanne Jolly, Mount Moriah), as well as with a full band. silver skates is.
Raleigh, NC
