Published: July 6, 2010 5:36 PM EST
By: Isaac Davis Jr., MBA (Juniorscave.com)
New Music Spotlight July 2010 Edition
Robert Graham
Music Now Artist/Band Spotlight Weekly Series
Robert Graham
Multi-talented artist/singer/songwriter Robert Graham is the real deal. He sings with a level of passion and soul that makes his music stand out. Graham recently spent some talk speaking with us online about his hopes and desires for his music and where he thinks he is heading. Here is what formulated.
Isaac: Let’s get started with this interview. When and how did you first become interested in music? How long have you been playing music?
Robert: I grew up in a household that loved music. My mom was into classical music mainly and my dad was into jazz, classical and folk music. From the age of 9 I, was an avid radio listener so I was more into the stuff on the charts at the time. My first instrument was the French horn which I played in grade six, then I started taking classical piano lessons at age nine - every week until I was 19! I used to listen to my folks records until I discovered the radio! I have been playing music since the age of nine I guess.....
Isaac: Who would you say are your biggest musical influences and why?
Robert: My mother was a big inspiration - not so much because she was a musician herself but she really put in the time to help foster my musical education. There was a wonderful classical guitarist who lived in the forests out in BC called Clarke Steabner who was a hippy - lived in a wooden house with no electricity etc. When I was kid, he
used to come over for showers! He was the first musician I remember seeing play anything - he was an inspiration for sure.
In terms of my writing I have a lot of influences: Jackson Browne, ELO, the Beatles, Steely Dan, the Pretenders, and Joe Jackson. I like the fact that their music is sophisticated but also catchy. Lyrically, no one speaks of matters of the heart like Jackson Browne.
Isaac: What has been the greatest highpoint in your career so far?
Robert: Without a doubt releasing my first record "Storm in a Teacup" last year. I have spent my whole life playing other people's music (from Bach to ZZ Top!) so I am very proud to finally contribute something of my OWN to the world of music - it was a burning desire for many years....
Isaac: What has been the greatest disappointment in your career so far? What did you learn from that experience?
Robert: I guess the fact that I waited so long to release this record. I was always critical of my writing and also very busy playing other people's music to pay the bills. I only got it done because I made a conscious effort to not judge myself - see every song through and trust that if I write a song I like then there will be other people out there who will like it too. I guess that is confidence - I have learned to believe I can write good songs!
Isaac: What draws you to want to play the type of music that you do?
Robert: I like songs that are catchy but not in a simple or boring way. They are the type of cover songs I play and also the songs that I write. Every time I play I want to achieve what most musicians want to acheive: TRANSCENDENCE. To be moved to a different place by the music.
It's a feeling that doesn't happen often but that’s what I hope will happen every time I play. It happens a lot more when I am playing my OWN music.
Isaac: What do you feel it takes to play this type of music that you play?
Robert: My songs are not really that hard to play for anyone with a decent technique. I put a lot of attention on harmonies so the musicians I play with have to have good ears and the ability to sing complex harmonies in tune.
Isaac: What do you think you will create that will make your performances and who you are stand out in the music industry?
Robert: For me, it is always the song itself. I hear a lot of people with great voices and chops playing their stuff and I often wish I had a little more talent as player and singer. However, I think if the SONG is good, it goes a long way to making the performance more memorable. I have a lot of confidence in my songs and my performance. I also like
to talk to the audience, use humor, and include them in what I am doing. This makes the performance more personal.
Isaac: If you had the opportunity to do one cover, what cover would you do and why? How would you put your own spin on this cover?
Robert: I would like to cover my favorite song in the world: "Isn't She Lovely?" by Stevie Wonder. But I never would because I could never top what he does on that track. Smoking harmonica!
Isaac: What does it take to be a good songwriter?
Robert: Wow - that's a good question! I think obviously confidence in yourself is number one (as I mentioned earlier). Also, to have a good ear and technique so you can PLAY what you HEAR in your head. To be able to let others offer their opinions and to try
different suggestions for any given song. I find lyrics a challenge - I admire people who can sing about universal themes but in a new and interesting way. A good songwriter can do that.
Isaac: How difficult is it to juggle music, family and work obligation, and life in general? Explain.
Robert: That is one of the toughest things in my life - finding time to write, perform and promote my music. I have a wife and two small kids. I work in a Music Theatre Program as a vocal coach and accompanist and also gig as much as possible. The other aspect I find hard is changing from a musician who plays others music to a musician who plays their own music. I have fed my family largely from playing other people's music! So it is financially difficult to go back to playing for next to nothing as an original artist. It is a bit of double life!
Isaac: What is your definition of being an Indie artist/band?
Robert: I don't know. Doing everything myself I guess. The writing, the performing and the promotion of my music. Not giving up. That's extremely important.
Robert: I have goals for the next five years for sure. I would like to have recorded at least one more album. I would like to have some sort of regular radio airplay. I would like to do more gigs where I play my own tunes. I would like to have the time to write regularly. I would like for some of my songs to be used in TV and film. I would like to tour with my own music.
That's not too much to ask is it? In all seriousness - writing and performing my own music is a NEED, not a WANT for me. So if I can continue to do it over the next five years I will be happy. If people like the music, then all the better!
