Rooftop Screamers collaborates with Royston Langdon

For more than two decades, Mike Collins has existed at the rhythmic centre of the Pacific Northwest music scene, a drummer and percussionist whose career has been decorated by both talent and presence. Based in Portland and a graduate of the Musicians Institute of Technology, his journey has seen him perform alongside an astonishing range of artists, from Little Richard and Joan Jett to Sheryl Crow and Sarah McLachlan.

It’s a track record that confirms a musician capable of moving between worlds while maintaining a distinct voice of his own. But with Rooftop Screamers, he steps out from behind the kit and into something more expansive, reshaping his identity from sideman to band leader. Rooftop Screamers started as a desire to move beyond percussion and has since bloomed into a creative project based in songwriting, production and collaboration. Built initially as a local experiment, the project quickly became something more ambitious, connecting Portland’s music community with collaborators from further afield, blurring the lines between proximity and distance in the process.

Drawing from the enduring legacy of artists like The Beatles, Queen, David Bowie and Cheap Trick, Mike channels a deep appreciation for melodic writing. Today, he crafts a sound that balances power pop appeal with an alternative edge, where guitar-driven arrangements meet a modern sense of scale. Since releasing the project’s debut album Next Level in 2021, Rooftop Screamers has continued to develop its identity through a series of releases that have struck a chord with countless fans around the world.

Now, with the arrival of “Our Story,” the first single of 2026, Rooftop Screamers collaborates with vocalist and multi-instrumentalist Royston Langdon to deliver another stunning power pop anthem tinged with indie rock vibes. “Our Story” is about the search for something missing, both within ourselves and in others, carrying a sense of longing paired with resolution, where the idea of finding one’s missing piece sits alongside the quieter notion of finding peace itself.

The interplay between Mike and Royston’s presence creates a dynamic that feels equally intimate and lofty, offering a timeless outing peppered with delightful melodies and intricate guitar-driven instrumentation. Set up by the soft strums of airy guitar, a dreamy soundscape is met by alluring vocals carrying delicate melodies and picture painting lyricism as shimmering cymbals add to the transportive atmosphere.

Building with the patter of drums and stacks of jangly guitar tones, the vocal leads ring out with memorable melodic lines as the track flows through slick lead guitar flourishes and epic choruses. It’s another spectacular single from Rooftop Screamers which sees the project once again deliver a stellar collaborative outing. With “Our Story,” Rooftop Screamers continues to make a significant impression while presenting a reminder that even after decades in the industry, there are still new stories to tell, new roles to step into and new ways to connect.

Listen to Our Story (feat. Royston Langdon) below

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