Rose Haven Motor Hotel is an indie twang project from Jackson, Mississippi. After years of co-fronting a couple of bands, RHMH’s Ben Atkinson decided to focus on releasing some solo work. RHMH is an effort to distill the various influences that have built Ben’s musical background into something new.
RHMH just recently released their debut EP, Things Don’t Stay, and the early favorite, “Switchblade,” is a proper introduction to the alt-country band. The term alt-country can lead you down many paths; for this band, it’s a mash of toe-tapping indie rock delivered on twangy guitar prowess and breezy tones. “Switchblade” is a stunning example of RHMH’s fascinating approach to tropes from the genre as they manipulate convention to land on familiar yet refreshing sonics. The lead single from the EP showcases the band’s ability to deliver complex songwriting that feels relatable without sacrificing the intricacies of their approach. “Switchblade” previews everything that makes RHMH stand out from their peers as their vivid imagery cuts through the busy indie rock arrangement with urgency and purpose.
“This song is about frustrations you can feel when people close to you are going headstrong in the wrong direction,” explains the band. “Musically, I feel it’s the closest I’ve come so far to nailing down all the sounds I love into something different and new.”
