Monarch Artist Feature: Gregg Rochman

By Kelsey Knott • Photos By Matt Johnson 

A New York native who now calls Louisville home, Gregg Rochman continues to be wowed by our city’s appetite for great music, cultural experiences, and banding together for a cause.

With parents who loved community theater and siblings who listened to excellent music, Rochman’s start in music was organic. “I always sang to what was on and had a very high voice as a young person. My youngest brother, who’s seven years older than me, encouraged me to sing.” Rochman enjoyed late sixties and seventies tunes and became a Deadhead early on, but the theater ignited his love for performing. “Our community was putting on the musical, Oliver, and my brother said ‘You should audition!’ I got cast as Oliver when I was eleven, and it was so cool when 1,200 people stood up screaming, hollering, and clapping at the end.” He studied formally to perform, act, sing, and dance from then on. 

Through his studies, he learned about the Actors Theater in Louisvilleand was interested in working there. “That’s how I knew about Louisville originally. Now I’m on the board of Actors. It’s a full circle moment. The new executive leadership is incredible, and it’s joyous to be involved.”

Rochman’s inspiration is straightforward: “Live music is my favoritething, ever since I was eleven. I still see multiple shows a week.”Furthermore, as a father to sons Jeremy and Miles who’ve started their own project, Anemic Royalty, inspiration stays flowing in all facets of his world. “My kids are incredible people and incredible musicians. Seeing their journey is unbelievable. It’s the eleventh or twelfth year of their project and it’s truly been the joy of my life watching them grow as people who care about the community and see their writing and performing capabilities grow. They’re poised, and ready to play for anybody in any venue.” 

His own band, TVLO, is an ensemble with an eclectic sound featuring Dan Dilamarter, David Rue, Ian Thomas, and himself. “Dan and I have been playing music together once a week for about fifteen years. We originally started because Bloom Elementary, where our kids went to school, didn’t have a playground, so an idea emerged to put a parent band together for a show to raise money. The Highlands has lots of parent musicians–nine bands were formed. We did a festival at Headliners, raised all the money, and the playground was built.” Rochman and Dilamarter originally played in a five-piece known as Golden Ticket before stripping down to TVLO’s electric three-piece, and finally featuring the current four as they approached a more acoustic sound. With Dilamater’s intentional lyrics, Rochman’s harmonies, and the combination of Dave Rue on drums and Ian Thomas on dobro, TVLO delivers a unique, memorable sound.

Day-to-day, Rochman manages Louisville’s recording studio, La La Land. “Kevin Ratterman, who Teddy Abrams described as a total magician, put this place together. Kevin has a special place in Louisville’s music community. He decided to move to LA, so my partner and I wanted to figure out how to keep it around for the community because it’s an incredible asset. It’s a challenge keeping an analog recording studio and building this size alive, but having it available for the community at a reasonable price point is important to us.” Still, Louisville’s cultural density keeps Rochman energized. “The music scene is incredible. ‘Happy Birthday’ was written here, right? The first commissioned orchestral work was done by the Louisville Orchestra. 

We have Teddy Abrams, who could be anywhere in the world, and he’s chosen Louisville. Slint and Squirrel Bait in the late eighties put us on the map. More recently, No Comply was nationally recognized for its impressive DIY punk rock festival in our skate park. Festivals happen all the time, like Sweater Fest, put on by the guys in Anemic Royalty. There’s something in the water here.” 

For the second year in a row, Rochman organized Eclect-A-Fest, which benefits Kentucky Refugee Ministries, which provides hope and advocacy for refugees and immigrants seeking safety. “I want to make the Sunday after Thanksgiving known as ‘Eclect-A-Fest Sunday’ here in Louisville”. Sponsors, holiday bazaar vendors, and varied genres of Louisville bands brought to life this event at Whirling Tiger on the Sunday after Thanksgiving. “In this town, if you have the desire to make art or do something with a cultural or entertainment component, people show up.” Between TVLO, Anemic Royalty, La La Land, and the countless other ways he influences and advises music projects and festivals throughout our city, Rochman’s vocation in Louisville’s entertainment business is harmonious and for the love of the game.

To Gregg Rochman, music is simply about enjoyment. “The most important thing that all of us should be seeking is fun, as long as it’s not in the way of anybody else’s fun. Music is the source of so much of my inspiration, energy, enjoyment, and motivation, whether listening to it, watching it, or seeing talented kids blow away established adult musicians with their skills.”

Find TVLO’s latest music on bandcamp, with new music coming out in early 2026, and make plans to support Kentucky Refugee Ministries next holiday season at Eclect-A-Fest!

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