chrisrob

Chris Rob

Interview 25 February 2005

Hey Chris, thanks for doing this. How are you?

Life is great . I can't complain at all.

You’ve been musical pretty much all your life?

Since I was about four years old.

And it’s always been in your household. Tell me about your upbringing and the part music played in it. Your mother was a professional wasn’t she, and so was your dad.

My mother was and still is one of the greatest pianists ever! My father played more for a hobby, but they both were involved in getting me started playing.

You play pretty much anything it seems?

My father always had instruments in the house, so I would go pick each one up and start trying to do something with it. There were drums, guitars, keyboards, organs, horns. It was like band class or something at my spot.

And you were were born in Chicago, but you’re in New York now. Is that right?

Yeah.

When did you move?

I moved the summer of 2002. I had enough of being somewhat in the music industry. I felt like I was too talented to be sitting on the sidelines. I tried to kick off a record label in Chicago, but it didn't work out, so a friend of mine told me to come to New York because the energy was different there. I decided two weeks before I moved, and kept it secret from my parents until like three days before. They still don't believe I just left like that, but I was tired of the same old thing.

You’ve always geared yourself towards a profession in music including the business side?

Yeah, I focused strictly on music. I must have done over ten thousand gigs in Chicago coming up. I refused to work if it wasn't a music thing, that's all I felt like I really knew. I went to Chicago Musical College and started studying to be a music teacher, but half-way through, after I failed a course that I really didn't want to take again, I switched my major to music business instead. One of my better decisions.

You’re pretty well known around New York. You play a lot live? What's your show like?

Yes, I do headline my own shows, and jump up with friends every now and then. Coming to my concert.. man, that would be like coming to see Herbie Handcock and James Brown combined!! I've loved jazz music since I was twelve, so I share that part of me, but I love that funk too, you know? And I grew up playing in church and listening to hip-hop. I do it all! So it's mellow, and hype, but it's all in fun, and I get the audience involved, everybody's cool.

As you know I’ll be over in March but I think you’ll be on tour. In the past I’ve met Maya who I see you’ve worked with.

Maya's on another level bro. She was a major support when I moved to New York. Alot of artists don't ever make it because they are surrounded by negative people. How can you really believe in yourself if all you ever hear is "you can't do this" or "that's impossible". Maya, however, has enough positivity too fill a stadium!! She was very encouraging. And the love in her heart shines through her voice. I still jump up with her when I can. I probably always will.

You headlined Sol Village, that’s Eric Roberson isn’t it?

Yeah, Ero's the man. That's where alot of people in NYC first heard about me.

Do you know Teddy and Alison Crockett? Angela Johnson? (I know they live near and know Spinna) – I guess there may be others that I know who you know.

Of course Spinna's my guy. It's funny you asked because just a couple of days ago, I was at a listening party, and I heard the Crockett's were there too, but I didn't meet them. But we'll link up you know? That's the way life is.

What’s the New York Soul Community like?

There are some crazy artists doing their thing on the soul tip. Maya and Eric, Jeremy James, Chandlar, my girl Tarrey Torrae, the poet J. Ivy, Sharief in Burgandy, Kendra Ross, Abby Dobson, there's so many... I hate naming folks cause you can never name them all.

Tell me about some of the other work you have done with the likes of Stevie Wonder... Patti Austin….Roberta Flack…Aretha.. Jill Scott. What kind of stuff do you do

When I first got to New York, I hooked up with Benard Davis, a very respected drummer who's currently music director for Anita Baker. He put me on this gig in the band playing behind Stevie for the Artist Empowerent Caolition, headed by Londell Mcmillan the attorney. That was one of the most intense periods of my life. I was homeless at the time, but I still had to make these rehearsals and carry on like everything was cool. I think what made it all worthwhile was watching Stevie walk on the stage and feeling the love and admiration in the room, and being right there on the stage with this brother to soak it all in. Alot of that show was me and him playing alone playing because I was alot more familiar with his music. I've worked with Roberta and Patti as well, those were great experiences and great people. I actually opened up for Jill, that was cool too, she's a sweetheart.

Tell me about you the solo artist, the Bootleg. Is that you’re first. How’s it going down?

The Bootleg is still doing alot to get me out there. When I originally recored it, I was just putting some of my work on a cd to sell at one of my shows in New York one night. But so many people have heard that cd now, all over the world. I get e-mails all the time from people in the U.S., Japan. London etc. about how they are feeling it, and I'm like wow, this was never planned.

What tracks are getting attention.

Everybody seems to have their favorite, which is cool, howevever alot of people seem to like "Make Love Tonight". I think it's the message in the song, which is simply, why fight, let's keep it peace like it should be.

All your songs oh except for the Coltrane thing? Who are you’re influences today and back in the old school. I see you’re checking a bit of P funk!

George is still the man!! For real, he still knows how to kill a live show. Old school influences include James Brown, Stevie, Miles, definately Marvin Gaye, Patrice Rushen. Today I'm really feeling Outkast, Meshell, Kanye West, peole that know how to be different, but not go off the meter so that you still get it, you know? These are just a few of my favorites.

Dirty Movie is/is going to be a single?

Yeah, that's one of my favorite joints, and I filmed a nice video for it, so why not? It's a fun song, but it's something I think most people will get if they pay attention to the lyrics.

Is the bootleg thing a prelude to a proper CD release – you still working on it?

The Bootleg was desined to get the ball rolling, to get people buzzing about me, I'm thinking about putting out another one before the official album release.

Whats New Day Entertainment – is that you?

Yeah, I started New Day Entertainment after leaving another label I as helping to build behind. Their ways of doing business and crating music was no longer in sync with my ideals, so I quit and started my own thing. Another better decision.

What’s it like being independent? Are you looking for a deal or do you prefer the freedom.

Right now the freedom is a beautiful thing. I definately want to touch more people though, but there is no rush. The word is spreading fast, and if I get the right deal, I might roll, why not?

Are we starting to see a move back towards the soul side of things?

Definately.

Tell me about the crew you used on the album, do you have a regular bunch of people?

I actually played all the instruments and sang all the vocals on this project, except for the two live joints at the end.

Do you use the same people live?

Yes, my core band consists of Dave Sampson or guitar, Tak on bass, Kenny Stix on drums, myself on keys, and Tara Michel Jocelyn Winston,and Teddy Warner on vocals. I normally do add different horns and percussionists when I can.

Do you have a good fan base locally?

I've been blessed to keep a consistant crowd when I play in NYC and Chicago, but there's always room for more.

Do you know anything about the Uk, you getting any feedback from the UK or elsewhere

– Cd Baby was a big help in me reaching the UK. When I went there recently with John, I ran into people who had already heard of me and checked my music,and I was like "hell yeah!'. It's always good to know you're reaching people and your work is not in vain, you know?

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– The John Legend tour is keeping you busy. How’s that doing. I hear he is great live, particularly in a more intimate arena.

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– John is a bad cat. He's one of the greatest songwriters I've heard, and he sings like a lion roars straight up. To top it off, he plays keys with a simplistic but aggressive approach, like Elton John or something. It's a pleasure to support him.

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– Is that taking you worldwide?

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– Definately, I do believe before this year is out, between these Alicia Keys opening dates, and his headlining shows, we'll be hitting the entire US and UK, Japan, Austrailia, and everwhere else. And I'll be sreading the word about my own music as I go along.

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– What are your ambitions, whats the master plan, what’s next.

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– Right now, I'm pretty focused on assisting John in directing this tour, but in the meantime I'm always recording with my time off. And when the time is right, I'll be touring with my own project.

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– Anything you’d like to add?

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– Yeah, live life like there's no tomorrow, and make peace around you. I say that to all who are truly listening. And don't be the last to get your "Official Bootleg of Chris Rob, vol. 1" . New Day!!!!!

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– Thanks for your time.

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– You got it. Be peace.

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