Beautiful playing, and a very soulful, lived-in voice.  

"The Ghost of John Henry" is the second full-length album from Sci-Fi Romance. This is a concept album that embellishes the folk story of John Henry, who raced a steam drill and won, though the effort cost him his life. The Los Angeles-based band's sound has been called "steamfolk," mixing elements of alternative folk with tinges of punk and metal, weaving together guitars, earthy baritone vocals, drums, and cello. 

Vance Kotrla: Guitars, drums, artillery shells, and chains
Kurt Bloom: Drums, percussion
Jody Stark: Cello

Recorded, mixed, and mastered by Jaron Luksa at Jaronsound Studios (Burbank, CA)
Bass by Johnnie Kotrla

All songs written by Vance Kotrla
Published by Inciting Insurrection Music (ASCAP)

Buy on iTunes

The Ghost of John Henry

The Peculiar Pretzelmen - John The Revelator

So Long Been Good To Know Ya

The first single from the third album from LA-based alt-folk band Sci-Fi Romance

Get this song

If I Fell

Boxer + Clover

Vance Kotrla: Guitars, vocals, and chains
Kurt Bloom: Drums 
Jody Stark: Cello

Recorded, mixed, and mastered by Jaron Luksa at Jaronsound Studios (Burbank, CA) 
Bass by Johnnie Kotrla

Written by Vance Kotrla 
Published by Inciting Insurrection Music (ASCAP)


John Henry, Part 1

Vance Kotrla: Guitars, vocals

Recorded, mixed, and mastered by Jaron Luksa at Jaronsound Studios (Burbank, CA) 

Written by Vance Kotrla 
Published by Inciting Insurrection Music (ASCAP)


The Morning Breaks

Vance Kotrla: Guitars, vocals
Kurt Bloom: Drums 
Jody Stark: Cello

Recorded, mixed, and mastered by Jaron Luksa at Jaronsound Studios (Burbank, CA) 
Bass by Johnnie Kotrla

Written by Vance Kotrla 
Published by Inciting Insurrection Music (ASCAP)


Broken World

Steam Drill Blues

Vance Kotrla: Guitars, vocals
Kurt Bloom: Drums, percussion 
Jody Stark: Cello

Recorded, mixed, and mastered by Jaron Luksa at Jaronsound Studios (Burbank, CA) 
Bass by Johnnie Kotrla

Written by Vance Kotrla 
Published by Inciting Insurrection Music (ASCAP)


Tomorrow May Take You

Vance Kotrla: Guitars, vocals 
Kurt Bloom: Drums
Jody Stark: Cello

Recorded, mixed, and mastered by Jaron Luksa at Jaronsound Studios (Burbank, CA) 
Bass by Johnnie Kotrla

Written by Vance Kotrla 
Published by Inciting Insurrection Music (ASCAP)


We Used to Sing

The Raven by Edgar Allan Poe - Read by Christopher Walken

A pretty rad song from my first record — but I may be biased. Hope you dig.

Them Days

Sci-Fi Romance is an independent folk band from Los Angeles that blends unique arrangements and a dark, percussive take on acoustic music into a sound that has been labeled "steamfolk" for evoking a punk-infused, retro-future vibe.

The Morning Breaks

Sci-Fi Romance

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Scott Shawn DeRocks

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