ROB- INTERVIEW WITH MICHAEL FRIEDMAN OF SKOPEMAG.COM A2W (ARTIST TO WATCH)
ROBwww.sonicbids.com/ROB4
Skope: How does it feel to be chosen as an A2W artist on Skopemag.com? ROB: It is a great feeling to be selected as a Skopemag.com' Artist To Watch.' Skpokemag.com is an online publication that allows the public to learn more about me ROB Rise On Belief, my music, and my band.
Skope: What have you been working on and promoting recently?ROB: I have been working on promoting my album 'ROB Rise On Belief,' my music video "The Chosen One," and my official website www.robriseonbelief.com, merchandise, and most of all performing. I am also promoting my performance at Fonatanas on January 21, 2010, at 9 pm in New York City, and The Apollo Theatre on March 17, 2010, at 8 pm, a part of the Emergenza Festival for an emerging artist. Other bands will be performing that night as well. I am also promoting several other shows and tours that are now in the works for 2010 and beyond.
Skope: What about your music do you feel sets it apart?
ROB: I think my music sets me apart because it comes deep from the soul. It is rock music that incorporates all styles of music. You can understand everything about my music, from the vocals to the guitars, drums, and bass. It is music that doesn't go over your head. Every member of my band brings a different personality to my music. Bands personalities are significant when working with musicians who have worked with many great artists. They help bring out the true essence that sets me apart. Ten years from now, you can play my music, and it will relate to whatever is going on at that time.
Skope: How did you start creating music and your band's long-term plans?
ROB: I started making music at a young age. I come from a musical family, and I've learned to sing and write songs from listening to my family members. I also write poetry. Poetry helped me to develop my songwriting and musical skills. I also studied vocals at the Brooklyn Conservatory of Music and The Nubian Conservatory. These skills helped me to strengthen my voice and work with other musicians. I also started working with my musical partner Mark "Abishai" Brooks my manager Jeff Crews, and together we developed my sound of today. My long-term plans for me and my band are to sell millions of records, write and produce for other artists, tour, manage other artists, open a record label, create timeless music, and get as many Grammy Awards as possible.
Skope: When you create music, what do you use as inspiration for lyrics & instrumentals?
ROB: When I develop songs, my inspirations come from past, and present experiences, love, nature, the state of the world, other peoples stories, the heavens, a car, the sound of a train, the sound of a plane, in other words, everything inspires me to write lyrics and instrumentals. And music is everywhere.
Skope: What is the most exciting aspect of being a musician in the digital age? ROB: The most exciting part of being a musician in the digital age is that you can reach millions of people without being signed to a record label and control your music's rights. You can also make a great living in the digital age of music. You can also use Pro-Tools to help you write and record or do pre-production before entering a major studio. Pro-Tools make it easier to get your ideas across to your band. There is nothing like being in control of your music, and the digital age allows you to be in total control of your career.
Skope: What can we look forward to that our readers should know?
ROB: Everyone can look forward to a new album now in the works. More touring, television appearances, merchandise, writing for other artists and acting, and making ROB Rise On Belief a household name. Remember ROB stands for Rising On Belief, and that's what you can look forward to seeing me do in the future—rising to the top.
