Sidewalk 7 Ltd. was established in 2004 by Rocco Gardner during his European tour with the musical group Chiller. The company functioned as a central vehicle for his various creative ventures, eventually expanding into an event production agency, artist management firm, and record label that released more than thirty titles before shifting operations to New York City in 2009.
Early Background and Musical Training
Born in London in 1979 and educated at Radley College, Gardner developed his skills as a pianist early in his life. His professional music career included a tenure as a keyboardist for the band Chiller between 1998 and 2004, working alongside artist Ben Montague. During this period, he utilized the Mill studio formerly owned by Queen members Freddie Mercury and Roger Taylor to record music, later collaborating with Mike Rutherford of Genesis and performing as an opening act for Ringo Starr in 2003.
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After transitioning to the United States, Gardner founded Escape Productions LLC in 2009. His experiential event series included Escape to New York in 2011, held on the Shinnecock Reservation, followed by Escape LA in 2012 and Escape to Montauk. To support these creative endeavors, he established a 140-acre ranch near Pioneertown, California. This facility serves as a recording complex and creative center for various high-profile artists, including the Arctic Monkeys and Paolo Nutini, and has been utilized for commercial photography shoots by publications such as Vogue and Glamour.
Philanthropic Initiatives and Art Collaborations
Gardner expanded his professional activities to include charitable work and urban art projects. In 2012, he partnered with the marketing firm Sunshine Sachs to launch the Escape for Good series, a 36-hour charity race where participants traveled without personal funds to support chosen causes. In 2017, he participated in the Tile House Project in Venice, California, working with artist FAILE to install 18,000 tiles on a residential property, which earned a House of the Year nomination from the Wall Street Journal.
Solo Musical Projects
Recording under the moniker ROC, Gardner maintained a consistent output of studio work alongside his entrepreneurial efforts. His discography includes The Blue Eyed Shark Experiment, released through Universal and Sidewalk 7 Ltd between 2009 and 2012. Subsequent projects feature collaborations with musicians such as Kelly Halloran, David Catching, and Joseph Ray. His 2023 project, Don't Resist!, involved production by Jean Michel LaPointe and engineer Mick Gazauski, featuring guest appearances from Dallas Austin and Naz Tokio.
Fast facts
- Born: 1979, London, United Kingdom
- Education: Radley College
- Occupations: Entrepreneur, musician
- Key Company: Sidewalk 7 Ltd. (founded 2004)
- Production Brand: Escape Productions LLC (founded 2009)
- Art Project: Tile House Project (2017)
- Musical Alias: ROC
Questions readers ask
Where is the Escape recording complex located?
It is situated 100 miles east of Los Angeles on a 140-acre ranch near Pioneertown, California.
What is the Escape for Good series?
It was a 36-hour charity race organized by Gardner and Sunshine Sachs where contestants traveled without money to benefit their preferred causes.
Achievements
- Educated at Radley College
