Roadhouse, the new album by blues-rocker Marc Amacher, pulls the listener into that kind of cathartic environment, where all bets are off and rules are made to be broken. It's an explosive collection of 13 songs by a musician whose deep connection to blues tradition doesn't prevent him from pushing the boundaries of the genre.

Amacher was born in the scenic village of Brienz, surrounded by the mountains and lakes of the Swiss Alps – not exactly the cradle of the blues. Like thousands of guitar players the world over, he discovered the blues through guitar heroes like Eric Clapton and Stevie Ray Vaughan, then began digging further and further into the music's rich past. Early on, he realized playing and singing the blues was a good way of dealing with life's difficulties. The music resonated deep within him.

"I don't know if you come to the blues or if the blues comes to you. The music was my anchor. It gave me strength and helped me get through life."

Amacher remained widely unknown outside his native region until 2016, when he decided to audition for the popular TV talent show The Voice of Germany. As it turns out, he made it all the way through to the finals. His successful run included duets with showbiz biggies including Robbie Williams and Alicia Keys, who praised him for his strong stage presence and soul-infused voice.