Introducing…. Jolly Rox
Jolly Rox has always been about passion, evolution, and the thrill of performance. What started as a group of friends with a love for music has grown into a band that refuses to be boxed in—melding glam, street metal, and an ever-changing mix of influences into something entirely their own. In this chat, they talk about their creative process, the energy behind their live shows, and the excitement of their upcoming album and European tour.
Click Roll Boom: Tell me about how you got started?
Jolly Rox: Well, thanks for having us first! Well, we started as all bands started—as a group of friends in love with music!
CRB: How would you describe your sound, and how has it evolved since you first started?
JR: Well, our sound changed a lot since the beginning… At first, there was a lot of typical glam and street metal vibes, but from there, it evolved into a completely different animal with a lot of contamination. Now, it's still glam metal somehow, but in fact, it's something that didn’t exist before Jolly Rox.
CRB: Who or what have been some of your biggest influences, musically and beyond?
JR: Well, there are so many and so different through the years… I guess it’s more up to the listeners to identify them in our songs rather than us telling them.
CRB: What does your songwriting process typically look like – is it a more individual or collaborative effort?
JR: In the beginning, it was mostly Joey Zalla as the mind behind the songs. Now, he still is, but it’s more of a band effort.
CRB: How do you approach experimenting with new sounds or ideas when creating music?
JR: There’s no rulebook. We both free-flow and brainstorm… Sometimes it’s a motif, sometimes a raw idea, or even something that we see that generates a creative output.
CRB: What’s been one of the most memorable moments in your journey so far?
JR: There are many, but I guess Rock Metal Fest in Pulsano is definitely one of them!
CRB: How do you prepare for live shows, and what do you aim to bring to your performances?
JR: We do rehearsals, but not just the songs—we prepare the show in its totality. We think about the interactions with the audience, how to create an immersive and different experience every single time… It’s not just playing; it’s performing, acting, dancing, and engaging with the audience… It’s a show!
CRB: How do you balance creative expression with staying connected to your audience?
JR: One is part of the other, so it comes naturally for us.
CRB: What do you hope listeners take away from your work?
JR: Whatever they need to take in at that specific moment… When someone listens to your song, it becomes their song in a way, so it will be their needs that are fulfilled… Sometimes it's an emotion, sometimes an idea.
CRB: What does the future hold for you – any plans or goals you’re excited about?
JR: We are about to release a full album in October and do a European tour. We are working hard on that and very excited as well!
