Combining the natural beauty of West Coast Canada with London, England’s urban forest, Connor Roff‘s luminous music embraces and showcases his dual nationality. He’s not afraid to explore the depths of both the light and the dark or combine genres such as alternative pop, folk, R&B, and even electronic. Connor‘s songs and melodies reflect and celebrate his yoga teaching practice and passionate advocacy for the LGBT+ community.
His song, “Somewhere Green,” is inspired by our disconnection with mother nature – especially in the western world with corporate capitalism, colonialism and greed. Connor and his producer James Turner worked on the song internationally across waters via video call and email. For one of the finishing touches, they added some sounds of birds recorded from their phones in Vancouver and London, UK.
So much of this album and this song was inspired by nature. Not our separateness from it, but our belonging and connectedness to Mother Earth and all things around us. Society, crony capitalism and colonialism has tried to make us forget this, I don’t think intentionally, but from a wounded place. I believe it’s our work as humans to show up and reconnect with Mother Nature, starting with ourselves and how we show up daily. How we show up for each other and the world around us. Never underestimate the healing power of nature.
What can you share with readers about your new project?
“Somewhere Green” is a way for me to express how I want to reconnect with Mother Nature and disconnect with corporate capitalism, colonialism, and greed.
I first started writing the lyrics for the song years ago while on a train in Germany during the month of May. I was on tour and we traveled between cities via all these trains, through the expansive German countryside and forest. I remember looking around and feeling completely consumed by how green it was. It was stunning.
Those lyrics lay dormant for a while until I moved back to Vancouver in Canada where I felt overwhelmed by the pure natural beauty of the mountains, forest, and ocean. At a time when the world stood still and we were forced to turn inside both literally and metaphorically, the rest of the song then came together.
How does this release compare with your other projects you had in the past?
Many of my songs tie into themes of nature. The first single I put out from this record is titled “Sunlight.” I suppose a lot of my work wants to find ways to connect with the world around us and speak from the heart.
What about this single makes you most proud?
I love how my producer James Turner created the production for this track. It starts soft and then slowly builds turning into a bit of a bop by the end. The vocoder, harmonies and guitar lines really add to the lightness and shimmering polish on the song. I’m proud of how direct and honest the lyrics are for this one.
Was there a specific goal you were trying to accomplish with this release?
Not really, I just wanted to share something close to my heart that I think a lot of other people also feel. I also wanted to announce the release of my debut album titled “brighter than the night” dropping April 11th across all platforms.
What inspires you to create music? What motivates you to keep going?
I think it’s just a part of me. It’s been there since I was a kid. Being an artist is less of a job or role and more just an innate part of your nature. I don’t do this because it pays the bills (trust me it doesn’t :P,) but I do it for the love of music. That’s it.
If you could collaborate with anyone – dead or alive, famous or unknown – who would it be and why? If it’s an indie/DIY artist, please include a link so readers can check them out.
Alive – Maggie Rogers or Bon Iver. Dead – Jeff Buckley or Fleetwood Mac.
What was the last song you listened to? Favorite all-time bands/artists?
Last song I listened to was “Lost in Paris” by Tom Misch.
Where is the best place to find you and stay connected?
My mailing list! Sign up here. OR Instagram here.
I really appreciate your time. Is there anything you’d like to share before we sign off?
Thank you for the interview. x
