Rhythms and Roots from the Foothills of the Rocky Mountains
There so much music rooted in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains that it is hard not to take a week long trip to Boulder and not be completely surrounded by the musical inspirations and sounds the mountains bring to a small town. From all the options between venues like Red Rocks, The Fox, and The Boulder Theater, to a local radio station that plays Jerry Douglas featuring Mumford & Sons & Paul Simon, a stroll down Pearl Street that makes you stop to listen to the beats of a local drummer or to go eat breakfast at a family restaurant and be served by two brothers whose band opened up for The Who. I think I was musically reawaken. Even the yellow Aspens were singing or maybe I was singing to them.
While I was there I stumbled upon a ton of new artists that have suddenly taken over my ipod and one of these being singer/songwriter Rob Drabkin.
I didn't know who Rob Drabkin was until I decided to attend the TEDx Boulder and a few days before the conference decided to do my research and look up the speakers and people whom I thought I would like to meet. Checked out Rob's new album Live at Bluebird Theater and immediately felt a sense of home and familiarity with his music. Maybe it's the influences of artists I grew up with- like the natural easiness of a Bill Wither's song mixed with the horn playing of John Coltrane, the guitar playing of Andy Mckee and the African percussion's of a Paul Simon album. His double record actually covers most of Paul Simon's Graceland album along with some of his own originals.
Rob covering Paul Simon's Homeless Live at Bluebird Theater 1.19.12
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=1Ft6A6gfQ5M
Rob has already had some pretty amazing experiences in his career like being asked to play for former President Bill Clinton, winning an opportunity to play the Mile High Music Festival with artists like The Fray, Widespread Panic, Tool and Ben Harper and opening up for two shows at the famous Red Rocks venue where he of course got to join many other artists in signing the famous hidden tunnel. For those who don't know about the tunnel it runs from the sound booth underneath all the seats and right to the stage and is tradition that all artists who play the venue must leave their name.
From the Red Rocks' hidden tunnel- Rob opened up for the Styx 2010 show which makes me laugh
After we met I had the lucky experience of him showing me around his hometown. We had a presidential breakfast at The Buff in Boulder, record shopping in Denver, and listening session from Rob's computer. Which consisted of songs from The Wood Brothers, Michael Kiwanuka, Peter Gabriel, Gregory Alan Isakov, Taj Mahal and Simon & Garfunkel.
And in between he let me sneak in a few questions for an interview.
What was your first experience with music?
Singing with records in the bath tub. I could sing really high notes and could actually match all the high pitches. But my sister made fun of me and then I got self conscious and didn't sing anymore.
How old were you really realized you wanted to do this full time?
I was 22 and had this life changing trip to New York. My dad played Jazz for over 30 years until he changed course and got into medicine When we were in New York, we re-connected with his old Jazz friends and it was so inspiring to see these guys who were well over 60 years old, still playing and grooving. It made me start thinking about my own career path.
After Rob graduated from college, he started spending eight hours a day working on his singing and songwriting skills and made a promise to pursue his music career full time.
Rob playing with his dad Harry Drabkin
Your dad plays with you on some of your songs on the new album- how did you get him playing music again after 30 years? Do you guys share similarities in your taste in music? We both love jazz! But he'll play circles around me any day of the week. He studied and played music day in day out for 30 years straight, attended and taught at Berklee School of Music in Boston. He left music and went to medicine and never played for a long time. I had 2-3 songs that would work well with a horn arrangement so I kind of forced it on him. I gave him one month to get his chops up to par and invited him on stage at the Walnut Room in Denver about 5 years ago. He killed it!
How is a Rob Drabkin song written? I'm a music guy first then a disaster lyric guy after :). Inspiration can come from all sorts of angles and of course life experiences. One step before that. It's always a passion for music or art that makes me want to start and begin a song. A basic feeling that I have something to say or give or contribute. That seems to be a driving force around a lot of it and opens myself up to a lot of other sources.
"Don't Worry About Me" is one of my favorite songs from the album- is there a story behind it?
Don't Worry About Me was written partially in my college bathroom (the guitar riff) and partially in a cabin deep in the mountains in the winter time. Originally it was this upbeat rock version just using the riff but it just wouldn't gel. So i slowed it way way down and that's the version that it is today.
So we share a mutual music friend- Suzanne Cheavens the music director at KOTO (one of my favorite public radio stations) in Telluride, CO. How did Suzanne get ahold of your music? I did a Triple A radio campaign and she was one of the first to add my music into KOTO rotation. She rocks and introduced me to the Telluride Blues and Brews Festival and the newly founded 'Ride Festival.'
Is there anyone you want to collaborate with next? Maybe Paul Simon at Red Rocks for another live Graceland album. Sure, lets make that happen! I would just steal Paul Simon's lyrics though because they are so good. I would have a lot of fun with John Mayer. We are different enough that we wouldn't clash but would be able to feed off of each others ideas. I want to collaborate with Van Morrison.
Rob also has a few more ambitions to fill...
And then I want to have tea with Natalie Portman
I want to have Breakfast with Cat Stevens
I want to Take a shot with Bob Dylan
And then I want to take A jog with Dave Matthews
I want to have Dinner with Ani Defranco
I would like to go to a yoga class with Peter Gabriel and Sting. The same yoga class and I get to sit inbetween them.
And then I would want to go dancing with Regina Spektor
To date Rob has played on the same bill with artists like G-Love & the Special Sauce, Michael Franti, John Butler Trio, Trevor Hall, Lucinda Williams, and Big Head Todd. And got the opportunity to collaborate Back Door Slam's Davy Knowles, FloBots and Gregory James Hauser.
Check out what he is up to next at www.RobDrabkin.com and while you are there download his latest album Live at Bluebird Theater 1.19.12. I did and am addicted!
Other music friends to check out from the Denver/Boulder area... (some whom you may already be familiar with, but there will be no Leftover Salmon or Mountain Yonder String Band below. Not because they are not good- but let's step out of the Colorado stereotype)
Gypsy tinged mult-instrumental quartet
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B7WmLrqZtAU
A Buff Brothers Original- Rose Hill Drive
Although no longer together- this is a video that shouldn't be forgotten
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=66oqIUnvP_E
Lyrical Genius- If you are an Amos Lee, Belinda Carlisle or Leonard Cohen fan please listen to him!
www.gregoryalanisakov.com
bad ass banjo player- very Berklee
Expands the frontiers of live hip hop- super fun!
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