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The Rob Crawford Interview

Rob Crawford is a talented singer song writer from the North of England, he writes and records all of his own work even down to the album cover artwork.

Rob is currently working on a new album. So after exchanging a few shouts on Twitter and a formal commitment to some rock and roll party invitations from the man, we decided to have a virtual chat over a beer and share the results with you dear reader, so read on...

(For the uninitiated the interview is conducted using Twitter protocols so a question preceded with @Rob_Crawford is directed "at" Rob Crawford).

@Rob_Crawford Rob, how would you describe your musical style?

@Guitar_Mental It's definitely pop/rock but probably more of a sound associated with some of the UK bands like Kaiser Chiefs, The Feeling, Franz Ferdinan, Kazabian etc. The Beatles are my ultimate influence but I have a particular soft spot for classic rock in particular Aerosmith. Their unashamed bawdiness makes me gaffaw in a slightly embarrassed British sort of way.

@Rob_Crawford What is your latest project and kind you provide us with link to a sample?

@Guitar_Mental I am working on my new album tentatively called 'Cross Fingers' and there are a few tracks bobbing around the net available to listen - myspace , my website , my blog and I post updates as I make them to twitter followers of course!

@Rob_Crawford What is the main theme/objective of this project?

@Guitar_Mental To get the album released basically. I tend to do everything to do with the project - writing, playing, recording, mastering, cd artwork, and releasing the record itself. So there's plenty to be getting on with. I've been thinking it is a good idea to document the creation of the album as I go through the inevitable highs and lows of getting it out of the door and out into the wide world.It may help get people involved and let them know how it's all going as I inevitably tell them that I'm 'working on me album'

@Rob_Crawford When do you plan to have it ready for release?

@Guitar_Mental This year - sometime in the summer hopefully - I will keep the blog posted with updates (I've just about finished a remix of The Proof) and the processes I got through whilst recording and releasing. I might need help from followers picking out track order on the album or helping pick the right image and layout for the album cover etc.

@Rob_Crawford When and how did you start playing the guitar, are you self taught?

@Guitar_Mental I started when I was 15, and was lucky enough to be able to jam with someone at that age and there was the constant motivation to play along. We played a lot of 12 bar blues with a bit of rock and got quite hooked on the Crossroads movie...

@Rob_Crawford If Rob Crawford was a beer what kind of beer would he be?

@Guitar_Mental Well my favourite beer of all time is Red Stripe - it is the nectar of the gods. Maybe I could be reincarnated as a can of Red Stripe or a case or maybe a warehouse? Anyway definitely red stripe!

@Rob_Crawford If you could jam with any musicians or singers past or present who would it be and why?

@Guitar_Mental I'd have to say the Beatles - just because they are ultimate band - I'd love to sit in like Billy Preston and add some stuff in. I'd also love to do one on one writing sessions with John, Paul and George too - just for the awe-inspiring nature of the moment - probably be too agog to contribute much though.

@Rob_Crawford What's you're favourite guitar or guitars?

@Guitar_Mental I should really say some fancy guitar names and model numbers but what really works for me is the first guitar I ever bought. It's a bit bashed now and the action is out a bit, but it just has a beautiful tone that has never been matched by all of the other guitars I have acquired over the years.

@Rob_Crawford Is there any other equipment you consider essentials, amps, gadgets, software etc?

@Guitar_Mental All of my recordings revolve around Cakewalk Sonar 5 - I've been using it in several guises since Cakewalk 3 and it is the central hub for all my recordings. I have my guitar pedal and guitars - Audiotechnika mike and pre-amp. And a never ending supply of Jim Dunlop plectrums - which constantly disappear!

@Rob_Crawford If you had one sentence describe what people can expect from you in the next year what would it be?

@Guitar_Mental I suppose the main thing is the album - got to finish it off and get it out of the door. I have 15 tracks written and recorded to a varying levels and I need to finish off recording the tracks, finalise the track list, master the album, and finish the creation of the CD. Once it's a finished product it will be the next phase of marketing and promotion and spreading the word.

Thanks for the interview Rob, and good luck with your forthcoming projects. If you would like to get in touch with Rob, he can be contacted via his myspace page.

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Tips for the Green Guitarist

Go for an FSC certified guitar, a number of companies are participating in the Music Wood Campaign so if possible go for one of their models..
Go second hand, a great way to save trees and resources. Also a lot of older guitars have been played in so have a really good sound. So don't always assume you have to go for a brand new axe, look for something with history and character.
Recycle, if you have an old guitar you no longer need, don't chuck it. Give it to a friend or relative and encourage them to play. if it's really in a state canabilise it for parts, you never know when you might need them. Be creative you could even make some Guitar String Jewelery
Spread the word, need ideas for a song? Why not read up on some environmental issues and use that as the subject for a song. You never know you might change a few peoples' minds.
Raise cash, put your talent to good use. Go busking or do a benefit and give the cash to a worthy environmental charity.
As suggested by guitarnoize try some biodegradeable guitar picks!
Share ideas, if you have some more ideas for the green guitarist, please get in touch and we'll add them to the list.

Other Resources for the Eco-Friendly Guitar Player:

The Greenpeace Music Wood Campaign. working to protect music wood and critical forest habitat.
The Forest Stewardship Council. an independent, non-governmental, not for profit organization established to promote the responsible management of the world’s forests.
The Guitar Mental Article on Green Guitars.

A great article from Guitarnoize Green Guitars are they plausible?

Please contact us if you have any more resources to share.

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Green Guitars - Eco-Friendly Wood Campaign

Many guitarists have tried to use their instruments to make the world a better place, singing about issues and political situations to bring them to the attention of listeners.

Well now there's a campaign aimed specifically at you the guitarist!.

You may not know it but many guitars are made from exotic and rare tree species.

In the majority of cases the wood is logged in an unsustainable manner, destroying environments and the future of the trees that make the very best guitars.

A particular example is Sikta Spruce used to make the soundboards of many guitars.

The old growth trees needed to obtain these woods only exists in the North American coastal temperate rain forest, which are considered the rarest forest type of Earth!

...but there is change afoot!

The Greenpeace Music Wood Campaign is partnering with the musical instrument industry to protect threatened forest habitats and safeguard the future of the trees critical to making musical instruments.

"instrument makers are uniquely positioned to lead the way in sustainability, and to help reshape forest management to protect some of the most threatened forests and valuable timber species in the world."

The aim is to make guitars as eco-friendly as possible and draw attention to sustainable forestry in general.

So far the following companies are listed as supporting the campaign: Gibson, Martin, Taylor, Fender, Guild, Yamaha,Walden, Luthiers Mercantile International, Pacific Rim Tonewoods, North American Wood Products, Allied Lutherie.

So it's time to do your bit, let people know about the campaign and the issues with the instruments they are buying and playing - maybe write a song about it!

If you're getting a new guitar, ask for an FSC certified model.

Is your favourite maker on the list? If not why not email them and ask why?

Make some noise about it - if the companies know there is a demand there they will provide the product, especially as the other option is to go for a second hand model.

Unfortunately the campaign doesn't seem to provide standard sized banners so I took the liberty of nicking their header and resizing it, hope they don't mind

I've included it below so you can add this banner to your website:

and you will need the link to the site.

Or to make it even easier just paste the following code into your website or blog:

Along with the instrument makers, we guitarists are also "uniquely positioned" to make a difference to the environment, so what are you waiting for?

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Sting and Boris in Charity Guitar Lineup

Some people love him, some people hate him, he's well known for his strange fluffy blond hair and outrageous gaffes, no I mean Boris not Sting.

Whether you think he's a bufoon or brilliant this initiative by London's Mayor is one that every Local Council should mimic.

The "No Strings Attached" scheme in London collects unused musical instruments and donates them to children who might other wise not get a chance to play.

The campaign has been marked by a series of famous folk donating their instruments, the latest one being Sting who has donated his bass guitar.

We think this idea is a great one not just because it give access to instruments for people who might not otherwise get a chance, but because it's a high profile campaign that promotes the playing of musical instruments in general.

As we have said before here at guitar-mental we believe everyone should play an instrument.

Music should not be a spectator sport dominated by a handful of mass marketed super groups

Making music should be an everday thing, like making a cup of tea.

We should develop a culture where live music should be heard in every pub, restaurant and living room, and whatever you think of the new Mayor of London this is definitely a step in the right direction.

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Guitar Hero from Virtual to Virtuoso?

Having never played guitar hero, obviously I'm fully qualified to comment on it with great authority!

There are a couple of reasons why I've resisted the urge to join the legions of placcy, virtual guitar playing rock gods.

Firstly I have enough trouble keeping my tendons in good working order being a programmer by day and a guitar mentalist by night.

Secondly having spent many hours of my youth in the world of space invaders, manic miners and galaxians I'm also aware of how computer games have the ability to eat time, which these days, is far too precious

Up until now I've reserved judgment on the game, thinking it could go the way of the South Park experience "Dad, real guitars are for old people", or whether it would actually encourage people to pick up and learn a real instrument.

Well I kind of hoped it would go in a positive direction, and according to this article it is actually encouraging people to play real guitars, so maybe it's a good thing after all.

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