In this interview, we chat with Robert about influences, their newest project, and more.

Full Q&A, links, and streams below.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1rwlmJjygos

Let’s dive a little deeper into You, the artist and your music. What attracted you to this genre(s) or style(s)?

For me, the most affecting music has always been in this style. I love music from all genres but for me, the most hair raising and goose pimple inducing music was coming from rock ‘n’ roll. There was something about it that just cut deeper. And then you add the guitar solo…and it was just perfect. I also have an affection for the way of life and the sounds of the south. The good soul and gospel music, blues, southern rock, country…

How long have you been creating and sharing your music with the public?

I released my first album ‘Burn for the Living’ in 2014, but I was playing gigs for at least a few years before that. Playing open mikes, singer/songwriter venues, house parties, events.

Who or what influences your playing and/or writing? Also, what motivates you to keep going?

Brilliant sounds, songful phrasing, great singers, songwriters and instrumentalists inspire the hell out of me. Great artists in general really. Several of my songs are inspired by books or films. One is even inspired by a series of photographs. If I hear something I love, i’ll have to go pick up a guitar and recreate what I just heard. Sometimes I get it close to right but sometimes it’s elusive and that’s not always a bad thing because it will usually take me in my own direction. If it’s visual or came from reading text those images will play in my imagination as I’m songwriting.

Were you trying to accomplish anything specific on this new project? Creatively or otherwise?

I wanted to make a record that I would listen to on repeat. That would sit on my shelf along with my favorite albums and hold it’s own. I did that. Proud as hell.

What was the last song you listened to?

“Parachute” by Chris Stapleton. What a talent.

Which do you prefer? Vinyl? CDs? MP3s?

If money were no object I would prefer vinyl. I like the physical size of vinyl, how the album cover can be a stand alone piece of artwork, that you could even frame and hang on your wall. I also like the look of the disc and how it feels, and the rituals that go along with placing it on the holder and dropping the needle. I even prefer the sounds it produces. It feels like you’re listening in to the actual recording session more than the others. But vinyl is pricey, so CDs are my happy medium.

How about this one…. Do you prefer Spotify? Apple Music? Bandcamp? Or something else? Why? 

I’ve actually discovered a ton of artists I wasn’t familiar with before on Pandora and YouTube. I love those sites for music discovery. If I really love an artist though, I absolutely buy the hard copy. I’ll burn it into my iTunes, but when I’m in the mood to listen to it, I”ll go to my shelf and take the CD out of the jewel case and pop it into the CD slot on my laptop and put the headphones on.

Other than the digital era overwhelming us with access to an abundance of music, what are one or two of the biggest challenges you face when trying to attract listeners to your music? Have you seen the Billboard Top 100 lately?

It’s filled with mostly sophomoric, juvenile bullshit. That’s a challenge. Another major challenge is that bookers and venues aren’t about creating a scene anymore. There was a time when they would hire the best talent and build a reputation for themselves for booking great bands/acts. People who liked that kind of music would just show up and know they were going to get something good. The bookers and venues would promote like hell, because they actually took pride in what they were offering. Now it’s about the quick hit. They’ll book anybody who can bring in a few heads. But the consequence is the public will only go to those venues when they are familiar with a band. There isn’t a single venue in New York City, and I bet it’s the same elsewhere, that has a reputation anymore for consistently booking great talent.

Do you gig, tour or perform? Do you ever live stream? Where can music lovers see you live?

We gig, and we tour, so the best way is to follow us on our website or social media and come out to the shows. We also film our live shows, so we do present that to our fans as well. We haven’t live-streamed yet, but I’m open to it in the future

Where is the best place to connect with you online? Discover more of your music?

They are all good. Website, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter. you can message me on any of those sites, and I’ll respond quickly. And you’re never more than a click away to getting right to the music.

Any last thoughts? Shout outs? Words of wisdom?

I’m excited to see what music is going to come out of me next. If you always have that excitement about what you’re capable of, you won’t be living in the past, and your motor will keep revving.