 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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