SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE RUSSIA SEASON 5 // Katya Luzan / 25 / Contemporary & Pony Milan / 19 / Vogue / «You Take Half» by Rob Bravery / Argentine Tango / Choreography by Egor Petrov & Anna Argun
Rob Bravery’s music is full of drama but it’s also music of the heart. With his new EP, Rob has found the voice he’s been looking for. Created using analogue kit in his own bedroom studio, with additional input from FKA Twigs producer Liam Howe, the new material is the culmination of everything Rob has been working towards - honing in on who he is as an individual and oozing imposing contemporary flavour… We talk to Rob Bravery about his latest release, visual representation and exercise…
TSH: How would you sum up the level of focus as the ‘You Take Half’ EP was coming together?
Rob: I was more focused than I was with the debut record. Also, there seemed to be more time than initially appeared. The debut album came out of nowhere! I'm proud of it, but it's skittish a bit – there are lots of different things all in one place, it almost doesn't know what it is. This EP has a sense of more cohesion; I sat down and wrote in a specific style for it, as well as using specific equipment, which I was obsessed with.
TSH: Were you drawn towards certain subject matter?
Rob: It's weird and difficult to know where it’s coming from, there’s a lot of negativity on there. This is probably from living a particular period in my life; from about a year ago living in a flat in London when things got quite trying. I guess the subjects that are covered entail me expressing what I was feeling during that period.
TSH: Is ‘While Jesus Wept’ part of a new territory for you?
Rob: Yeah, I’ve never done a study into that style of lyricism before or even used biblical references before. I guess when you just sit there and you mess around with words and music chords, its funny what comes out. I see this one as quite sombre and immersive.
TSH: What resonated with you most about the title track?
Rob: That one took a while to write, however, it was the verse melodies that really did something for me. The song modulates from different keys and I kept developing different ideas – the song became a vibe rather than a composition. Also, this song is showing I’m keen to indulge in sonic values rather than excessive clever writing. It would actually be nice to combine the two, so you’ve got these nice tones and textures to mix.
TSH: What was the experience like in bringing together the video for ‘Taciturn’?
Rob: It went really well! You know, I’m actually not good with videos and they’re not really my forte, but I realised a few years ago that you need visual representation for it to be heard. Some artists have the whole package in terms of a vision with what they want to do, meaning you really have to be a jack of all trades these days. I’m not that person, that’s why it’s been great for me to work with Jackson. Me and Jackson have worked on a few projects and developed a good friendship. So, yeah, the video was such a great experience and I feel like we’ve really had enough input into the video process in terms of a script and plot too. I’m really proud of this video because it came out just how I wanted.
TSH: You’re also an admirer of the lesser known and gifted Stolen Violin…
Rob: Oh yeah, he’s a rare gem. No one really knows about him and I decided to cover his song because it’s so mesmerising. His album sounds like it’s been tracked to an old Tascam old tape machine and I love it. He deserves a lot more exposure, that’s for sure.
TSH: Does being immersed in music liberate you from stress and anxiety hurdles?
Rob: I think that’s becoming the case. Strangely, I’ve had an odd relationship with music. At times it causes me more stress than its relieved. I used to go through a cycle of working really hard at writing and its therapeutic in some way and then there were days when I’d do it for a couple of days straight and feel so odd and pent up and I didn’t feel like I could function in any real world scenario. Then it got to a stage where I’d escape by using drugs and booze and really go off the rails, because you just don’t feel right until you’ve escaped from the world you’ve put yourself in. More recently, I feel that I’ve met somebody who used to do that to and he stated to me that he’s started to do the opposite – using music as a really happy place to go to and relax into it. So, now, I use this method as my escapism.
TSH: Is the live format more refined to how you want now?
Rob: Yeah, definitely. I have a fellow member taking care of a lot with me, I like to do it as a duo - to play everything with keyboards and vocals and have a drummer accompanying me. I want the vibe to be one that shows the crowd that all live elements are covered, there’s no trickery or laptops involved, ha!
TSH: How do you keep the mindset fresh during your downtime?
Rob: As I’m getting older, I’m just trying to look after myself more, so I get more exercise in. I remember seeing a speech by Tim Minchin where he talked about how artists tend to assume that it’s all about dwelling, smoking and not looking after oneself, like you have an excuse to do that! So I think it’s important to stay on top of your health, which is something very important to me as I get older.
TSH: What do you feel defines you musical outlook as you venture ahead?
Rob: What’s important to me know is that I want to be able to really share things a bit more closer to real time and avoid the time delays. I want to share things a bit more freely as I go forward. I hope to develop without restrictions. It’s really simple with regards to my future work; I just want to be more and more honest and true to myself.
The new EP contains 4 new songs, which the Bristolian singer/songwriter wrote and produced with Liam Howe (FKA Twigs, Lana Del Rey). Howe was also a member of legendary trip hop band Sneaker Pimps.
‘You Take Half’ takes elements of the electronic sounds synonymous with acts like Sneaker Pimps and their contemporaries including…
