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Ilan Rubin Ensures There’s “Room for Two”

Ilan Rubin, drummer for Nine Inch Nails, is back with his second monthly solo single release in 2023, “Room for Two”. 

"Room for Two" - Ilan Rubin cover art

The youngest ever inductee into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame is a multi-instrumentalist, songwriter, and producer, who writes and plays every instrument on his records. He has also played drums for bands like Paramore and Simple Plan, and has been a member of Angels & Airwaves since 2011 (co-writing & co-producing all their records). In addition, he also fronts his own band called The New Regime. 

“Room for Two” is “an alt rock song about avoiding the dread of the outside world and preferring to stay in with your loved one.” Its production draws you in, as do Rubin’s vocals, including background and harmonies, and instrumental; his talent truly shines through the track, which reminds us somewhat of The Beatles. 

“His eclectic influences stem from many places, including melodic Sixties pop, British rock, synth-driven alternative, percussive jazz, and even orchestral music. He doesn’t care about genre; He cares about subtly pushing sonic boundaries while respecting classic songwriting.”

Because of his successful career for the past twelve years, Rubin has consistently been touring, but due to COVID, the unforeseen break has opened the door for him to have the time to dive deeper into his biggest passion, writing and production.

“A menacing beat and moody production” in “Room for Two” “slowly transform into something sweeter and more comforting. A distorted and disorienting intro is soon pushed aside by romantic harmonies and charming percussion, and the resulting juxtaposition makes for an almost psychedelic listening experience—a sentiment that, in a way, could be a metaphor for love itself.” 

Learn more about Rubin’s music at ilanrubinmusic.com

Find this and more exciting new music on our Alchemical Multigenre Mixdown playlist on Spotify

Alchemical Records contributor Emma Page

Emma Page

Emma Page, a recent Journalism graduate of The George Washington University, possesses a passion for music journalism and storytelling in all its forms. Originally from Baltimore, MD, when she is not writing, she can be found at a local concert or making music of her own.

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Foghat Sonic Mojo 2024 Tour. Fillmore Silver Spring, MD March 9
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Foghat’s Roger Earl Refuses to Slow His Ride

By this point in his life, Foghat founding drummer Roger Earl has visited quite a few doctors. But what may be surprising is that the percussionist, 77, is quick to point out that many of the medical professionals who have worked on him also enjoy rocking out.

“Nearly all the doctors and surgeons I know, they all play something: trumpet, sax, violin, guitar,” Earl said recently. “There’s not too many drummers that are surgeons, there’s probably a good reason for that!”

Earl half-jokingly invites his surgeon-rockers to join him and the other members of Foghat onstage at the Fillmore in Silver Spring March 9, where they will be headlining the Rock and Roll for Children Foundation benefit for the Children’s Inn at NIH. Earl, the only original member of Foghat still in the band, will be banging the skins behind guitarist Bryan Bassett and other members Scott Holt and Rodney O’Quinn. “Slow Ride,” the band’s 1975 megahit, is all but assured to be on the setlist, along with tunes from Foghat’s most recent record, “Sonic Mojo.”

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