Debut E.P. "Sleepless Nights" Now Available
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Watch the lyric video for the debut single "Dead End"
I love what Roland is creating, which is why I got involved. He's an artist on a journey to create impactful music, not just one in search of the next hit. Roland's priority is the art and a genuine connection with his audience, which are the qualities that will ultimately give his music the platform it deserves.
Roland’s debut E.P., Sleepless Nights, is not only made up of passionate and emotive songs but also a high-quality aesthetic that ties them all together. After recording the tracks with the help of engineer, Dan Mehrmann, they were mixed by Joe Zook (One Republic, U2, Tricky) and mastered by Eric Boulanger (Green Day, Colbie Caillat, N.E.R.D.). With the help of their world-class abilities, Roland’s vision was brought to life. Additional collaborators and musicians include Thom Donovan (Brandi Carlile, Wyclef Jean), Richard Fortus (Guns N’ Roses, Love Spit Love), and Julius Dacasin (a.k.a Itz Julius). The final product is the five tracks Roland believes best encapsulate his struggles with mental and physical health through a vulnerable, authentic voice. The ultimate purpose of this project is to act as a haven for others to find solace in an otherwise chaotic world.
Roland LaBonté is a 20-year-old cellist, singer, songwriter, and producer based in St. Louis, Missouri, U.S.A. He discovered the cello at the age of 9, beginning with classical music. He played in various elite orchestras, most prominently as co-principal of the St. Louis Youth Symphony. After a handful of years, he grew eager to vary his musical palette and use his cello for other genres, including chamber, rock, pop, and jazz. To do so, he attended programs at Berklee, Belmont, Indiana University, Interlochen, and the University of Illinois, where he studied under Daniel McDonough, cellist of the Jupiter String Quartet. At the age of 16, Roland started exploring songwriting and music production. He decided to create a project of his own that blends the emotional impact of classical music with ambient textures and a more approachable song structure—the result: the Sleepless Nights E.P.