Formula Indie Sessions _ Interview with Rosecreek Riot
Intro
Emerging from the independent music circuit with a steadily growing fanbase, Rosecreek Riot has become one of the region’s most closely watched up-and-coming rock acts. Known for their tightly constructed songwriting and high-energy live shows, the band has developed a sound that blends modern alternative rock with the grit of their small-town origins. With a new project on the horizon and increasing attention from local radio and festival bookers, Rosecreek Riot is positioning itself for a significant breakout.
In this interview, we speak with the lead singer of Rosecreek Riot, Thomas Batjoens, about their formation, their evolving creative process and the challenges of navigating today’s music landscape as an independent band.
What is your earliest memory connected to music?
Music has always been a very important part of my life. I remember making compilation CD’s when i was a kid to have my own music when in the car. Drumming on everything that could make a nice sound. There are pictures of me, as a 5-year-old, playing guitar on a tennis racket and singing with a whisk in my hand.
How did your passion for creating music begin?
My uncle was a musician and i was always intrigued by the variety of instruments in his rehearsal room. As kids, my brother and I often messed around with the instruments and started creating our own, weird, compositions. Later, my brother went to the academy to learn to play saxophone, but I hated to study, I couldn’t keep my focus, so i never went to school for music. I rather took an instrument, thought about a melody and tried to play that. This is how i started playing guitar when i was 20! I still can’t read music, but i think this helps me to be more creative and play from the heart.
What’s the story behind your current music project?
Rosecreek Riot (or at least the idea) was formed at Rock Zottegem. I walked into Brecht, I’ve known him for a long time as a guitar player from another band. We shared stages with our previous bands and there was always a good connection. We both were dreaming of playing the main stage of Rock Zottegem one day but we weren’t in a band at that time, so we started Rosecreek Riot to achieve this goal.
I took us until November 2024 to form the current band. Every step along the way, parting with and welcoming members, was a journey we had to take to become the band we are now. Rosecreek Riot is a family of musicians (active and former) a producer, loyal fans, volunteers (aka the rabbits) and a worldclass roadie.
How would you describe your sound to someone who has never heard your music before?
Rock with grunge influences and a pinch of punk. Recently someone dicrebed it like this:
Their songs rarely sit still, they push forward with momentum, as if they’re always halfway into their next chorus or next emotional punch. It’s rock built for motion.
There’s a clear flavor of punk-leaning urgency, but not the kind that sacrifices melody. Instead, they blend punk’s edge with the structure and songwriting sensibility of alternative rock. Think the emotional directness of post-grunge, the drive of early-2000s alt-rock, and the no-nonsense energy of classic punk.
What is one thing you’ve learned that completely changed the way you make music?
Be yourself, do what you love, don’t try to please the crowd but stay true to yourself and work together as a band. But the most important part: HAVE FUN!
What tools, instruments, or software are essential in your creative process?
We have a range of tools, it always starts with our phones. We record jams with our phones. In the second phase we record in our rehearsel space with a laptop and our mixing table. This is how we create our demo’s to send to our producer. In the last phase we book a studio and record these songs for real.
Which indie artist or song are you loving right now?
Radio Barba – Let Love Rule
It’s a totally other genre of music (gipsy/balkan – punk) but for the last few weeks I’ve put it on repeat.
How have your personal experiences influenced your music and artistic vision?
Personal experience always influence our music, we write about the things we love or hate. There is a part of us in every song but we try to bring all songs i a way that anyone can feel connected to the lyrics or vibe.
What emotions or messages do you hope listeners take from your work?
BETTER DAYS, the title of the latest EP says it all. We try to bring a motivational soundtrack for life, a slap in the face with the kindness of a warm hug. If we keep the faith, if we stand together, we are headed for better days!
What’s the most important lesson music has taught you so far?
The work/learning is never over but never give up and enjoy every moment. That’s how it is, if your learn to play an intrument, if you try to write a song, if you just go to a concert and even in life.
What is a dream venue or festival you would love to perform at?
Rock Zottegem off course! As the band band was born there.
As a Belgian band, Werchter and Pukkelpop are also high on or list of dream festivals.
A show at AB in Brussels is also a dream. But every festival or venue we can play, we’ll give it our all! We dream big!
If you could collaborate with any artist, past or present, who would it be and why?
Everyone expects me to say Dave Grohl, but at this moment i think i would like to work with Simon Neil, from Biffy Clyro. I really like the way he writes songs, with power but still room for emotions and melody.
Where can our listeners follow and support your music? (Website,Spotify, IG, links)
We try to be everywhere. All links can be found via our linktree : https://linktr.ee/rosecreekriot
Looking toward the future, what’s your dream for the next chapter of your musical journey?
Touring with the band en recording a full album.
What do you hope listeners will discover about you along the way?
Something new about themselves, inspired by our music
