Q&A: Redwater RoJo

RedWater Rojo is fairly new to the music scene. Formed in 2005, these guys have made their mark on Cleveland audiences with their eclectic sound. These guys are always a great show to see and keep audiences coming back for more.

You guys are fairly new on the music scene, forming in 2005. How did you make your mark?
Persistence. Two years ago we played roughly 80 shows. About 50 of them were in Cleveland; the other 20 or so were out of town around the Ohio area. We tried to be a human flier basically and just play and get out there as much as possible.

Your name is very unique. How did you come up with that?
I was out of music about five years ago, 2005. I just got out of a relationship where I thought I was going to get married—the whole nine yards and put music to the side. I used to go ... every year to Clarkston, Mississippi, big fan of Robert Johnson, and it was in front of his gravesite, kind of had an epiphany. There is a river that runs behind the graveyard, and that day, there was sunshine on the river and it was kind of red. That’s the name. RedWater RoJo (Robert Joseph).

Who are your musical influences?
Everything from the classic rock to the blues. Lynyrd Skynyrd, The Nuddy Waters, Robert Johnson, of course. Pearl Jam, more recently '90s rock.

Your follow-up record "The Wait" was recently released. Are there plans in the works for another record coming up?     Always. There is always too much music, not enough time. At the end of this year, we are hopefully going to put out another record. This last one was about six songs, seven if you count the radio edit. We are hopefully going to do a full-length record by the end of the year next year.

What was it like hearing yourself on the radio for the first time?
I can either be really cool about this or I can tell you the truth. We give all of our success to 92.3. Pat and Jim have been awesome. It was awesome, it was terrific. I was jumping up and down.

What songs will you be performing on the Concert Series?
"Who I Am," "What If,"—those two off of our first album. We are gonna do a song off of our last album, "See Me."

Why did you choose these?
Because they are three minutes or less. It’s a good collection of songs that represent us well.

Where was your first performance in Cleveland?
The Winchester in Lakewood in 2005.

Where is your favorite spot to perform in Cleveland?
The Beachland Ballroom really feels like home to us. We had our CD release party here back in January and played in the tavern.

Where is your favorite spot to hang out in Cleveland?
Well I live close to Coventry, so I drag the guys out there all the time. We love the Grog Shop. The people there are cool.