Published: March 2, 2009 12:28 AM EST
By: Isaac Davis Jr., MBA (Juniorscave.com)
New Music Spotlight March 2009 Edition
Bob Putt
Bob Putt Photo by Suzulu
His name is Robert Putt Jr. and he is going to knock your socks off with his kick ass style of music. In this recent interview with our Webzine, Robert gives us the 411 about his music and what he is bringing to the industry. Enjoy the spotlight!
Isaac: Hi, Welcome to your interview with Juniors Cave. Now that 2008 has officially ended, what are your reflections of the year 2008 for you as an artist?
Robert: As an artist in 2008, I had managed to find some time to write and record, but not as much time as I would have liked. I have been super busy working in 2 different cover acts, doing a solo acoustic act and studying music theory and classical guitar. Once I achieve some of my musical goals, I will start writing more and apply my new skills to any new material.
Isaac: What has drawn you to wanting to make music?
Robert: 70's hard rock! Got my start listening to bands like Aerosmith, Alice Cooper, and Zeppelin. As a child, I remember watching TV and seeing Kiss on the Paul Lynn Halloween special jamming Detroit Rock City that was quite inspiring to my young mind. I took up drums first but by the age of 12 I started strumming guitar and taught myself to play Stairway to Heaven, music turned into a passion from then on.
Isaac: Elaborate a little about whom were your biggest influences in the music industry and why?
Robert: As a guitar player one of my biggest influence's was Alex Lifeson of Rush. He had a style that I was able to identify with, I was able to learn quite a few Rush tunes in my teenage years and it just felt natural playing that type of music. Another band I admired was Yes. The music was complex and beyond my skill level, but it helped shape my style.
Isaac: Let's talk about what you feel you will bring to the music industry?
Robert: If anything, I have been told I have an original sound by quite a few, but my best is yet to come. I am working really hard on honing my craft; I think I'll make a bigger impact on the original music scene in years to come.
Isaac: If you had an opportunity to work with one artist or group, who would it be and why?
Robert: I think I would like jamming with Alice Cooper, his new album rocks.
Isaac: How would you describe your music to others?
Robert: My music is a mix of groove/rock/metal with melodic vocal approach. The guitar work would be my strongest asset, I would say if you enjoy vocal harmonies, with some fast lead guitar with a classic rock / 90's feel you might appreciate my tunes. I don't try to have a modern rock sound; I rather play what comes natural to me.
Isaac: What type of feedback have you received from your previous releases?
Robert: I am getting some Internet radio and some FM radio airtime, So there is a few DJs out there who like it, and I do get letters from fans who say they love my music, so it's been pretty positive, and it's more then I expected because it is a self recorded demo on my computer using a drum machine. I had one review from a local magazine that was critical on my "restrained" vocal style, but hey, I am not a screamer or a power vocalist, not everyone can be Axle Rose! But I did take it into consideration and I will open up more on the vox on the next demo. I am a guitar player first, but I am working hard on bringing my vocal skills to match up with guitar skills. I am told by a lot of people they really love the tone of my voice, so I am not going to get discouraged from any negative comments from critics, but on the lighter side, the author of the review says when I have a real drummer on my tracks he will be listening, so I think he had some appreciation for my work.
I also had a record contract offer from Tate Music Group with a letter praising my music, but they wanted $2000 to be on their label, so I don't think I can take their review very seriously (lol).
Isaac: What can fans expect from your latest CD, you are working on currently? What is the inspiration behind the CD?
Robert: Well right now I am just recording little riffs and chord progression on which to build songs upon. I have to get my creative juices flowing again as far as the lyrics. I don't have a passion for writing lyrics, but I do have my moments when they seem to come out of nowhere and I'll quickly write them down and turn them into songs with previously recorded ideas, or sometimes, it seems they posses a musical idea of their own and they steer my mind on how they should sound.
I have been studying some jazz chords, classical finger picking, and some sweep picking. I would like to mix that into my new material. I am also going to experiment using the music theory I have been studying to write new tunes. It's sort of a mechanical approach, but mixed with my ability to write music by ear I think it will be an improvement on my compositions.
Robert: Well, a new demo will be in the works, and hopefully a real drummer on the tracks (lol). But, I might be doing some acoustic recordings with hand drums before I get into any new rock albums.
You can also expect to see more of me working hard with the cover bands I am in, and maybe some live performances doing all original material if I can find the right combination of musicians.
Isaac: Time for some shout outs to your family, friends, and fans?
Robert: A shout out to my by band mates in AnacanA, Hippie Gun Club and Manic World! A shout out and thank you to my Mother who has been very supportive on my musical ventures, she has become a fixture at my shows. A BIG THANK YOU to all the venues that have hosted my acts, the radio stations who played my tunes and thank you too all the fans who supported us. And thanks to Ray at the Villa Nova West for providing me an opportunity and place to start my acoustic act. It was my first weekly gig as a solo artist, and great learning experience.
Isaac: Final words?
Robert: I'd like to thank Juniors Cave for giving my material a listen and a chance to do my first webzine interview. It's nice to be noticed out of the sea of talented musicians out there, and you're doing a great service for the indie artist.
