Midwest Exotica. Not words you normally see paired together.
But to Roland Remington, they go together like a monkey in a fez. I was so excited to find someone playing classic Exotica in my home state of Michigan, I had to catch up with this mysterious man with the mallets to find out how he ended up playing music from the 1950s on vintage instruments.
Can you give me your definition of “Exotica” music? How did you become interested in it?
If I’m playing for a non-tiki crowd, the way I explain it is, “Exotica is popular music from the 50’s and 60’s put to a latin beat, with animal sounds thrown in for effect.” I think I came into exotica music the same way most people our age did… I raided my dad’s record collection! He had a couple Martin Denny records and just seeing the cover art brought back childhood memories and nostalgia.
Tell me about your musical background. I have a feeling this passion for exotic instruments all started somewhere in a school band class.
You got that right! I played percussion in school band from the 7th grade through college. I even have a Bachelor’s Degree in Music from Wayne State University.
Tell me about a few of the exotic instruments you play.
My basement looks like a drum shop! All my mallet instruments are vintage 1920’s - 30’s. I’ve got a Deagan marimba, vibraharp and bells, and a Leedy xylophone. At the time, it was cheaper to buy used mallet instruments on eBay. So I spent a couple years collecting and restoring all these vintage instruments. In my opinion, old instruments sound better. They have this energy from all the years of being played and making people happy.
Old instruments sound better. They have this energy from all the years of being played and making people happy.
How long have you been playing professionally? Tell me about making that jump from just being interested in Exotica to actually performing it.
I’ve been playing professionally since my junior year in high school. I was playing drums at weddings while my friends were working fast food jobs. Not a bad gig for a teenager! My wife, Dorrie, actually got me into performing Exotica. After I raided my dad’s collection, I went crazy buying exotica records at garage sales and second hand shops. I’d listen to them on cassette in the car all the time. She finally said, “You should do something like this.”
Funny story about my stage name; Dorrie asked my mom if I got my middle name (Roland) from an uncle. She said, “Yes. His uncle, Roland Remington.” Dorrie laughed and said, “That would make a great stage name!” So I had a stage name just waiting for an act.
As someone from the Midwest I actually have a really hard time finding musicians who are into Exotica style music. How does your home state play a role in the music you play and it’s acceptance?
At first, there were a lot of blank stares and silence.
There’s no one playing exotica within a 12 hour driving radius of me! I honestly wasn’t sure how people would take this guy in a fez, playing songs they’ve never heard on instruments no one plays. At first, there were a lot of blank stares and silence. They just didn’t know what to make of it. But they’d come up afterward and say how much they enjoyed it. Kids are really taken by the whole thing. They get mesmerized… it’s really cool.
I never see you without your Fez. Tell me about that signature style choice!
Found it at a vintage clothing store and it fit. I’m not even sure why I bought it. It was just cool. Early on, I did one show without it. First thing they said was, “Where’s your fez?” That’s when I knew the fez was mandatory!
You had some medical issues that prevented you from playing much recently. I’m hoping those are behind you and we’ll be seeing some live performances soon?
I have what’s called diplacusis dysharmonica, or “double hearing”. My left ear hears a different pitch than my right, from nerve damage caused by covid. If you suffer sudden hearing loss, get to a specialist immediately. They have only 1-2 days to treat it before it becomes permanent. It’s gotten much better and is only a minor distraction now.
My comeback show is Friday, May 19th at Tiki Underground. That’s the night before the Tiki Flea. I’m playing two shows so come enjoy a cocktail and some exotic tunes with us!
Are you releasing any new music this year?
Sorry, no new music this year. Oddly, I’ve been recording a lot of drum tracks in my home studio for a metal band. Not really my thing but it’s been fun and challenging.
If you could have dinner with 3 musicians, alive or dead…who would they be and what would you talk about?
Gosh, that’s an excellent question! There are so many. Stewart Copeland from The Police. He’s just a great guy. Extremely knowledgeable and enthusiastic. John Bonham from Led Zeppelin. His personality really came through in his drumming. It would be great to find out what made him tick. I studied with Joe Morello from the Dave Brubeck Quartet… so many great stories. I’d just sit back and listen to their stories.
What’s the future of Exotica? Is it a dying art or does the internet help a niche like this grow and expand?
What's better than kicking back with a rum drink in a tropical getaway while listening to Exotica?
Exotica and tiki are alive and well! The internet certainly helps. The scene was around before I discovered it, but it's really grown in popularity. New tiki bars are popping up everywhere! What people need now is good, old fashioned escapism. And what's better than kicking back with a rum drink in a tropical getaway while listening to Exotica? I’m in!
Visit Roland Remington on Instagram or Facebook or give him a listen on Soundcloud. Tell him Westcoast Lifestyle Goods sent ya!
