Rolan Bolan: a boldfaced heritage + a bolder musical approach = a talent not to miss

Interview, Dec, 2002 by Matt Diehl

Growing up the scion of rock stars could make for a childhood sprinkled with glitter dust. However, Rolan Bolan--son of T. Rex glam-rock icon Marc Bolan and Gloria Jones, the Motown songstress who wrote "Tainted Love"--found the situation to be as normal as milk 'n' cookies. "I just thought it was the same for every other kid," says Bolan, 27.

"You know, 'My mom's in the studio and my dad's a rock star.'" What's surprising is that Bolan has definitely inherited his parent's talent genes--and maybe added a few more. He started out in L.A.'s hip-hop underground, but he soon began appreciating the rich, trippy sounds of his parents' hippie heritage. Forging classic funk and R&B with expansive rock, Bolan landed on what he calls "futuristic California rock and soul." Expect him to take off soon: Alongside artists like Cody Chesnutt and Slydell, he's one of the shining lights of L.A.'s soul-rebel scene (Time Out London called him a "hungrier Lenny Kravitz"). Plus, he's worked with superproducers the Dust Brothers (Beck, Beastie Boys) and even been photographed for Tommy Hilfiger. Bolan, though, isn't as interested in fame as he is in keeping his music unique and powerful. "The music has a tinge of struggle and grit, but it's a little more on the laid-back groove side," he explains. "It's like a pina colada mixed with gasoline."