David J. Roch

David J. Roch

David J. Roch is a singer-songwriter from the United Kingdom, associated with acoustic, folk and folk rock music. He is based in Sheffield and records in a style that combines dark romantic writing with a wide vocal range.

Debut album

His debut album, Skin and Bones, is released through Dram Records and is produced by Jim Sclavunos, who is known for his work with Grinderman and Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds. The album brings together songs with lush orchestration, stark electronic ambience and driving crescendos.

Voice and influences

Roch’s singing ranges from a low baritone to a high falsetto and is described as central to his sound. His style is compared with Tim Buckley, Jeff Buckley and Nick Drake, while also drawing comparisons with Matt Berninger of The National and Antony Hegarty. Roch cites Ella Fitzgerald and Billie Holiday as personal inspirations, and names William Blake and Simon Armitage among the poets that influence his lyrics.