robertfarmer

and you thought you knew.. Robert Farmer"I have always been a musician. Growing up, when other kids were working at McDonalds' or the local convenience store for spending money, I was earning money playing school dances and private parties... Then I graduated to bars, clubs and coffee house venues, then on to colleges, and then concerts. The usual progression I guess. I was ALWAYS playing, practicing & rehearsing!"___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________Quite recently, we reviewed a CD we'd had in our 'For Review' CD rack for quite a while. I know.. I know it's unforgivable but it's actually really frustrating on our side and it's even worse when you get to the CD and it turns out to be absolutely brilliant! That's what happened when we finally reviewed Robert Farmer's recent album 'In A Dream' - '...an absolute must for any sensible person's CD collection, for any responsible person's iPod, and for any aspiring musician and composer who'd like some hints at what's possible at the upper end of the excellence spectrum!'The thing is with Mr Farmer, is that he just can't quite grasp the fact that he's done more than enough to earn lots of global respect, appreciation, and admiration for his work, and so he continues to delight, enlighten, and entertain with a sense of relentless perfectionism that's evident in just about every note, bar, and musical phrase he just happens to jot down to form a complete track. He then has the unmitigated audacity to release these masterpieces upon an unsuspecting world! The thing is.. it would be a slightly sadder, duller, and more overcast world without artists like Robert Farmer in it!With all that said.. can you see the position knowing all of this puts us in? Of course you do and that's why we just had to... HAD TO.. invite Mr Robert Farmer across the border to answer the inevitable questions...The Interview - November 05 2006Welcome to IOM Robert... can we begin with you telling us a bit about your background?I have always been a musician. Growing up, when other kids were working at McDonalds' or the local convenience store for spending money, I was earning money playing school dances and private parties... Then I graduated to bars, clubs and coffee house venues, then colleges, and then concerts. The usual progression I guess. I was ALWAYS playing, practicing & rehearsing!What would you say have been your main musical influences?Peter Gabriel has the power to reach me at a deeper level than most other musicians, and I probably have listened to him more than any other musician on the planet. My list is quite long as I own literally thousands of recordings. I have been a music connoisseur for what seems like forever. The short list is Genesis, James Taylor, Pink Floyd, Mark Knopfler, Miles Davis, Chick Corea, Sara McLachlan, Santana, Sting, Steely Dan, Led Zepplin, Bruce Springsteen and many others!What could you tell us about ..high points.. in your musical career?Many rewards come almost daily in the form of the fantastic fans comments, and each standing ovation. At those moments, this is the greatest job on the planet!Walking into a public place or driving in my car and hearing my music on the radio constantly. It was a fantastic feeling. This was prior to the internet and satellite radio. It seemed like a big deal back then. There were almost no independent recording artists, at least not that I am aware of. You needed a record deal or studio backing to get recorded and we had the studio backing of Veritable Recording Studio in Pennsylvania. Those guys were great in every aspect. Because of them we almost broke into the mainstream of music!We were getting rotational airplay in several markets (cities) in the U.S. and were getting stats like, based on the number of calls coming into each radio station inquiring about our song, we would sell 'X' amount of albums. I don't recall the actual number but it was many thousands!Opening for James Cotton at Widner College was a great experience, as well as, working with Patti Smith at Penns Landing, Phila and Robert Hunter of Grateful Dead fame at The Main Point. All were great concerts. Frequently our concerts were broadcast live on various radio stations and usually hosted by popular Disc Jockeys. How about low points and how you managed to get over them?In between bands was a difficult time because, not only was I not doing the thing that I loved the most (playing), money was also a bit scarce. Sometimes had to play in less desirable situations to earn money. I was a pretty serious guy and was not happy unless I felt I was working on a worthwhile music project with a goal in mind.If you could turn the clocks back, is there anything you would have done differently?Yes. I would move to Los Angeles instead of staying the course and staying around my hometown. That was a huge set back in my career. It cost me years of fumbling.Who did you work with on your most recent projects?I made a conscious decision to go completely solo on this CD. I was interested in making all the decisions myself. When you work with a group of guys it's a bit like a marriage, everyone must compromise at times. There never was a time that I completely agreed with everyones taste and style, when it comes to arranging or dynamics or set list, etc. Guess I wanted complete control. I felt confident enough in my music instincts and really trust my ears. Although, I have reached a point where someone else's creative juice could help jump start a project or two.If you could pick a favourite track from your recent work what would it be?Personally, I like Distant Lights a lot. For me it covers the gamut musically and emotionally. It is very beautiful and sweet at times yet it has some power chords and a very interesting instrumental line towards the middle. That being said I used some orchestration in a couple of other tunes that I really love. 'Angel On The Rooftop' and 'Because Of You'. Far and away, the most popular track is the title track 'In A Dream' which was recently used as a part of a soundtrack in a movie called 'Revelation' which should be out in February or March of '07.What musical instruments/equipment do you normally use?First of all I use only Apple Computers for a recording base station using Digital Performer & Mark Of The Unicorn software & hardware. Korg Triton Extreme Workstation Keyboard/ Korg Karma Synth & Workstation Keyboard / Roland V-Drums, Rode & Shure microphones for vocals and recording natural instruments. I have dozens of exotic percussion instruments and Zildjian cymbals.Do you have a favourite instrument either as a player or appreciator?Five years ago I would have said the grand piano.. today, because of it's sound quality and versatility, I spend more time on the Korg Workstation. This is a phenomenal instrument.. this thing can sound remarkably like a grand piano or a thousand other things. It also helps stimulate creativity.Can you remember your first stage and/or studio experience?First studio experience was just outside Boston. It was a beautiful country setting and as I recall it had lots of windows for viewing nature. It seemed to sit in a very heavily wooded area. Wish I could find that place again. We were invited to come and lay down a few tracks live, no overdubs or retakes other than a quick vocal harmony. What five albums would you want to find if you were stranded on a desert island with enough food, water, a copy of IOM, a fantastic audio system, and any one musical instrument of your choice?Can I take my iPOD? Just kidding. Just five albums seems so limited but I know what you are getting at with a question like this. The Blue Nile-'High' by Paul Buchanan....the soundtrack for 'The Constant Gardener' by Alberto Iglesias because of it's beauty and classic staying power, Peter Gabriel's 'So', & 'Us', and finally a James Taylor classic.....I'll have to pick his greatest hits because it's probably a double album and I'm trying to get some mileage out of these picks.Do you have a favourite album cover of all time?Robert Plant and the Strange Sensation-'Might Rearranger'. I have an appreciation for that type of artwork.and what, may we ask, are the five albums you listened to most recently?Tom Waits-'The Heart Of Saturday', Kate Bush-'Aerial', The Eels-'Blinking Lights And Other Revelations', Imogen Heap-'Speak For Yourself', and Phil Roy-'Issues & Options'.What five movies did you watch most recently?'Man Of The Year' with Robin Williams, 'The Constant Gardener', 'An Unfinished Life' and 'King Kong', the ultimate macho man.Which artist would you most like to meet or borrow a bag of sugar from as a next door neighbour?Sheryl Crow... She's a great songwriter & singer. I like her sugar too!If you could have been responsible for writing the best song or piece of music ever written, what would it be?Today, it would be 'Family Life' by Paul Buchanan for lyrics and melody & Chick Corea's 'My Spanish Heart' for composition & performance. Outstanding!If you could have three wishes, what would they be?1). No more wars & terrorism.2). I am completely seduced by the European culture and history, so to that end I would like to spend some serious time there, living, recording & meeting other musicians.3). I would love to produce other musicians/ bands and basically live in a recording studio. Occasionally coming out for some fresh air and a walk.On to the more intimate side of Mr Farmer.. what did you dream about last night AND you can't say 'I do not remember'...I'm not at liberty to say.........I sometimes have pretty good dreams!And, if we were to ..shadow.. you on a typical day, what might we see you doing?I tend to agonize over the 'next' project and the creative process. If I am not productive in some way, I feel as though I am wasting time. Also, a lot of time is spent learning what all these electronic toys are capable of. It seems almost endless.. like the internet!What did you do, the day before yesterday?Met with 2 independent movie producers from Philadelphia. Signed an agreement for the use of two of my songs 'IN A DREAM' and 'ANGEL ON THE ROOFTOP' as a part of their soundtrack. Ok, Ok.. it was a couple of day's ago but its something you guys should know about!If you had to move to another country for a year to record an album, but you only had a few suitcases and an hour to pack.. what would you take?Laptop Computer / Korg Keyboard / iPOD / Wife / contact list / a few favorite shirts / some photo's.What bugs you most?Arrogance, traffic jams, and negative political ads.What makes your day really shine?Getting reviewed/interviewed by IOM. Besides that, seeing my wife smile or seeing a random act of kindness!I hate to end it all like this Robert, but.. finally, what are your plans for 2007?I am currently working on a CD called 'Beneath The Surface'. I have three songs written and recorded already but have a ways to go. Started out as a concept album but I am changing my mind about that. If I continue on this route it will be very difficult to sell I believe, as it is very political and socially oriented. I probably need to lighten up and have more fun with it but politics and wars are really pissing me off! You had to ask that question?It's been a pleasure!Robert Farmer .. thanks for dropping by... the delightful Sandra will see you to the car!___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________Robert Farmer was interviewed by Colin Lynch - November 05 2006© 2006 R Cat Communications - All Rights Reserved