“I’m on a mission from God,” ROXY ROCA vocalist Taye Cannon deadpanned before breaking into laughter. “Well, maybe not exactly, but it kinda felt that way at first, and it still does sometimes.”

Ok, so the Blues Brothers reference is a little cringe-worthy, but it’s an apt description for the path Cannon traveled assembling Austin-based ROXY ROCA, although the Blues Brothers story starts off in jail, and Taye’s starts in, well, Alabama. Close enough.

“I grew up in the Deep South immersed in my dad’s music — Jackie Wilson, Marvin Gaye, Otis Redding, James Brown. Basically, if it had a groove, my dad had it,” he says. “When Motown 25 hit the TV it was all over — I knew this was what I wanted to do. I remember staying up all night with my cousins, emulating James Brown and Michael Jackson in our grandfather’s carport.”

The band continues to hone their chops and develop their sound with a steady diet of touring around the southeastern United States including many festival appearances (SXSW, Alabama BayFest, Old Settlers Music Festival, Rhymes and Vines, Art Outside).

They recently wrapped up production on their new record, “Ain’t Nothin’ Fancy,” recorded at EAR Studio in Austin with producer Lars Goransson at the helm and are looking forward to its release on February 24, 2015 on Stag Records. The band also recently announced signing with Hoplite Music booking agency for exclusive North American representation.

So, what’s on the horizon for ROXY ROCA? Cannon doesn’t even blink. “Straight to the top. I wouldn’t be doing this if I didn’t really believe I could. I told you man, I’m on a mission from God.”