Chris LaRocca is the latest talent to emerge from the flourishing Toronto scene. A singer, songwriter, producer and multi-instrumentalist, LaRocca was first exposed to music through his dad’s love of jazz music, and was brought up on the sounds of the likes of Miles Davis and John Coltrane. Experimenting in his teen years, he played in bands as far reaching generally as post hardcore, electro-indie and math rock, amassing experience and acclaim on the live circuit and refining his own artistic identity. Since then, he has worked on finding his seat at the table of the Toronto music scene, and was soon discovered by multi-Platinum, Grammy-nominated producer WondaGurl, who boasts an incredible collaborative discography having worked with Rihanna, Drake and SZA amongst other world beaters.
With the backing of the high profile product, LaRocca aims to stamp down his acclaim with the release of his new EP, perhaps! Across the four tracks, Chris illustrates his measured yet explorative craft, drifting through diverse soundscapes to find a limitless and colourful sound. Atop the individualistic but familiar production, LaRocca is encapsulating vocally, delivering consuming narratives that are augmented by the cinematic sonic palettes.
Speaking on the making of the EP, Chris tells Wonderland: “With perhaps! I really tried to tell a story of the sacrifice and struggle of being an artist. When I started making this project in 2021 I was super down and out – mentally, physically, and financially. I was still working a job at a retirement home and felt like I had little to no resources to create the type of project that I really wanted to make. I left that job sometime later that year and just took a bet on myself which came with a lot of risk at the time. I was travelling back and forth from Toronto to LA which caused lots of stress on my personal relationships and physical health. I was definitely starting to tap out financially as well. However, a couple years later when I pushed through and finished this EP as well as 9 other songs, I realised how worth it it was to take that risk and see it through.”
On the impact he wants perhaps! to have, he adds, “I hope people can identify with how real the subject matter of this music is. I never want there to be a wall between myself and the listener. I never want to talk about anything too superficial or come across too cool or above the average person. I want them to know there is a real human behind this music who’s struggled and gone through loss and suffering the same way everyone else has. I’ve always felt like an underdog in the musical community, and I just want to advocate for people who may feel the same – if you work hard and never give up, while being the best person you can be in the process, good things will come.”
Intricate and undeniable, perhaps! is a solid launchpad for a fruitful artistic career.
Listen to perhaps! below…