Today we’d like to introduce you to Roo Metasequoia
Hi Roo, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I started playing music at a young age; first starting on drums. My mums partner was a musician which allowed me access to music, instruments and a studio early on. I joined middle school band but was forced to play trumpet rather than the drums because our class had too many drummers. This change transitioned my interest to try other instruments as well. I dabbled on piano and various other horns; but found true love when I picked up the guitar at 15. I found a new dedication for my musical endeavors unlike anything I felt before. I felt drawn to the guitar, like it was what my hands were made to do.
I played in a few rock bands early on. Slowly developing and streamlining my own personal style of music. At 18 I started playing solo acoustic shows, learning how to also find my voice.
Feeling more and more comfortable with who I was becoming as a musician; I founded my current band Metasequoia (originally The Hash) in 2007.
We played shows every week over the course of a couple years, building a reputation and refining our sound. Band members came and went. The sounds changed but the music and messages remained the same. We spent time in studios recording music and continuing this dream of a musical career.
I started doing our own sound engineering for some of our gigs.
In 2014 I moved to Nashville to continue my musical journey. Here I played some iconic venues, met other amazing musicians and artists, had the opportunity to open for some big named acts as well. I worked weekends at a local venue doing sound engineering and hosting open mic nights. This continued until 2018 when I moved to Iceland. I lived there for about a year, and in this time set up a residency in the downtown capital area of Reykjavik.
After my time there I returned to Ithaca to rebuild the band anew. Over a short time we slid right back into the local music scene. We toured, recorded, joined a record label, played festivals, casinos, built residencies and immersed ourself in the musical community. 2020 hit and halted everything I’ve spent my entire life building. But our band didn’t allow this to kill our dreams. We self recorded an album during lockdown, and worked with our community to feature artists on it. We wanted to continue doing what we loved, and include those who were feeling the same struggles we did.
In 2021 we officially became an LLC. We upgraded gear and built a studio.
Metasequoia continues to push performing and self producing music. But now we have the capacity to do this for others too. We offer live sound, live recording and studio work.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Not at all! The nooks and crannies are what helped define us. We’ve hit plenty of financial struggles (as most musicians do), lost friends and family close to us, dealt with addictions, had falling outs, picked up everything we’ve had a relocated, 2020, and plenty of internal doubts
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I’m a musician and business owner. I founded and front the band Metasequoia, perform solo as Roo, play in other local acts and own Metasequoiamusic LLC
I’m known for Metasequoia in our community. We play rock reggae fusion; delivering positive messages through our music.
I’m most proud of the people I get to perform with, believing in me strongly enough to create something beautiful together. Working with close friends I consider family, giving opportunities back to the community of musicians and artists that helped propel us here.
We are set apart from the conglomerate through being organic. Our music is real, lived, felt experiences; sometimes bordering the dark side of being human. But we always come back to betterment through our messages.
What are your plans for the future?
We’ve been expanding our studio. Recently my wife and I bought a house and converted our garage into a full working studio. Funded by the LLC, we’re upgrading our equipment, environment and capabilities. We’re not trying to be a the most lavish studio, but rather one affordable and focused on our fellow community of musicians and artists.
Pricing:
- Booking for the bands performance varies on time, equipment needs and members playing. We have a full horn section that can be added or not for affordability. We 100% do free shows for community fundraising, festivals or charity events. For a venue we charge anywhere from 400/hr to 700/hr based on previously stated requirements
- Studio cost we want to be affordable too. Depending on your wants we do a sliding scale. We’re willing to work within a budget. Max $50/hr
- Live sound or equipment rental depends on needs. Full stage set up can be $300-$500 with sound engineering
- Just sound engineering is around $100-$150
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.metasequoiamusic.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/metasequoiamusic
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/metasequoiamusic
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@metasequoiamusic
- Soundcloud: @metasequoiamusic
- Other: https://www.instagram.com/roo_metasequoiamusic
