How would you describe the Compass Rose's sound?: It's really an eclectic sound. We have a full-fledged string section ... It touches on orchestral, it touches on hip-hop, there are two songs in our set that are country songs, so it's really diverse.
The Compass Rose hasn't been around long but will be opening for the Roots and the Black Keys. What were the keys to your quick success?: The music, I think, is really poignant and a lot of times people, the first time they see us ... and stop what they're doing and really give full attention, and to me, that's the ultimate compliment.
What would you be doing right now if you weren't playing music?: I wanted to be a professional basketball player before I turned into a guitar player but that would never happen because I'm really too short and slow.
Droho and the Compass Rose will open for the Roots and the Black Keys at this weekend's FREE SoCo Music Festival at the Alliant Energy Center. The band will also play a show 6 p.m. Tuesday at Café Montmartre and 8 p.m. Thursday at Lucky's Bar and Grille.
