Exclusive Track Premiere: ’13,’ Allan Rayman

PHOTO COURTESY OF 512 PRODUCTIONS.

Facts are nebulous when it comes to Allan Rayman. Little is known about the musician: He seldom speaks about his music and his social media is sparse. For his forthcoming LP, Roadhouse 01 (out February 24 via Communion), the singer-songwriter further shrouded his enigmatic presence in a rebellious alter ego, Mr. Roadhouse. He wrote the record after retreating in solitude to a house in the woods, and we’re pleased to premiere one of the resulting tracks, “13,” below—in which his distinct gravelly voice speaks for itself.

In a letter Rayman penned to Interview discussing the solemn and soulful song, he writes, “Look, I’m really getting to know myself here. I know well and good that I’m no good at communicating. Shit, I think that’s why I’m out here in the first place.” The voices Rayman left behind when he withdrew from the world may have faded away—unable to penetrate the place he called home—but on “13” it seems there’s a love lingering on Mr. Roadhouse’s mind. “Maybe if things had been different I would still be back in the hands of love,” Rayman continues. “But I hate love don’t I… I know what I want and I don’t mind being alone.”

The letter closes on an even more cryptic note: “She must really be scared huh, feeling powerless now. Maybe that will make her brave… Well, brave enough that she might try to come out here. She better not. … She’s smart though. She’ll stay away.” While we don’t know who “she” is or what the demons he’s fighting are, we do know that Rayman—or Mr. Roadhouse—remains inscrutable.

ROADHOUSE 01 (COMMUNION) WILL BE RELEASED FEBRUARY 24, 2017. MORE ON ALLAN RAYMAN AND HIS SPRING TOUR DATES, CLICK HERE.