ROBIN BECK
Questions asked by Jon Wilde, added to Rock Realms 11th January 2010.
Robin Beck came to the world's attention back in the late 1980s with her Coca-Cola-licious no.1 single 'First Time'. These days she's married to James Christian of House Of Lords, and still singing, writing and recording; creating some of the best songs of her life.
We caught up with Robin to find out about her new record "The Great Escape”.
Hi Robin, thanks for taking a moment to answer these questions. Hope you are well?
Robin: Thanks Jon, You're welcome!
How was 2010 for you?
Robin: 2010 has been a very exciting year. Lots of music projects and it looks like some great things are coming for 2011. I spent most of 2010 writing and working on my new CD, "The Great Escape". I've also started a management company and have an amazing group that is about to get signed to a major called Kan'ed… so keep you ears up for them.
Do you have big expectations for 2011?
Robin: Yes I do! I think great things are coming… a tour is in the making… fingers crossed! My band will be signed! House Of Lords will be putting out a new CD which I am singing on, and I am managing Fiona ref: (Every Little Thing You Do, You're Sexin Me" the duet with Kip Winger." She's having her CD produced by my better half, James Christian, at our studio here in West Palm Beach Florida. It's gonna be a very eventful year.
Is it good to be Robin Beck right now?
Robin: Who else would I be lol… yeah it's good to be me. I'm very happy, in love, have a great kid and feeling motivated.
For a quick bit of history... How did you get into music, more specifically singing in the first place?
Robin: It was in my blood. My dad was always singing around the house, he had an amazing voice. It was easy for me to jump on that band wagon…It started at a jam session in Daytona Beach Florida where I was spotted and got my first leg up… later down the road I got into a top 40 band, traveled the U.S. and then started singing back grounds and records… then commercials and back to records where I have been for the last 22 years.
Who were your early inspirations?
Robin: Fleetwood Mac, Chaka Kahn, Carol King, Janis Joplin, Heart, Steve Tyler, Steve Perry, Don Henley and even Barbara (Monique Andrée Serf).
Was there a particular moment when you knew singing was going to be your life, have you always known it, or did you kind of drift into it and suddenly realise you were “a singer” one day?
Robin: I always knew it… since I was about 5. I was up on my kitchen table singing for the family… pretending night and day to be on stage acting, singing, dancing. Well, at least I got the singing part.
You’ve obviously been there and had success as far as chart topping across the world is concerned...but what’s your take on the musical climate these days?
Robin: For me, doing what I'm doing is reaching a certain market that I love being in… I still believe that Melodic Rock has a place in music today. Something reminiscent of the 80's comes out every now and then with a hit on radio here in the U.S. and it just confirms my belief that Rock n' Roll is here to stay. Not that it ever went away but it's sneaking it's way back in under a different category… that's how the music business can be. They'll just call it something else… but it's still Rock n' Roll to me.
Is it frustrating that you are still producing amazing music – perhaps your best ever - but not getting that level of sales recognition?
Robin: Thank you for the compliment Jon, that means a lot to me. I do know what you mean, but I do get recognition from the arena that counts to me which is the Melodic Rock community. I think now that I have my own label it's got to be expected that it's gonna be harder simply because I don't have the same man power as a big machine like before, but I have great friends in media like Bruce Mee, Dave Ling, Andrew McNeice and you who are giving me a forum to be noticed. From this I'm sure the sales will build with each project I put out.
I'm proud of what I've accomplished by opening my own label and don't plan to stop any time soon. Yes the sales will be less but the gratification and appreciation plus the experiences are priceless. I have a wonderful fan base and I cater to them happily no matter what… and as they say, size doesn't matter!
Onto your new album "The Great Escape”...when did you start work on it and how long did it take to complete?
Robin: It took about 5 months to write and 4 months to record it. That's why I called it my new baby.
How do you feel it compares in terms of sound and style to your last full studio album “Livin’ On A Dream”, and in turn to your older work?
Robin: This one is bigger and better and still more emotional. "Livin' On A Dream" is a wonderful album and was very exciting. I had a blast doing it. My work is continuously blooming. It's been a while since I could make all the decisions on which music I put out… so with every new project I am owning it more and more on an emotional and professional level…
The style has deepened more into Classic Rock which is my ultimate goal musically.
The album is mostly written and performed by you, your husband (James Christian from House Of Lords) and Tommy Denander. How did the creative process work? How was a song typically created?
Robin: In my case less is more. This is a fantastic team. Tommy is a prolific writer and can tailor make a song for me. I write melody and lyric and James also gets involved with that. Usually Tommy will send over a great idea for a track and I will spin the melody and lyrics. Having James and Tommy to create and produce the music keeps our ship tight.
What did these super-talented guys bring to the album that might otherwise have been missing?
Robin: Glad you asked me. They don't get nearly enough credit as they deserve it. They bring me all the tools I need to build the songs with. Without them, I would only have lyrics or melodies floating around in my head. James is an amazing producer and hands down the best vocal producer I've ever known… and I've worked with 100's. Tommy is a valuable player and without him I can't write the songs that you are now listening to. I'm sure that both Tommy and James would agree that together they do one hell of a job making the music greater with their individual contributions.
Was working on the album hard work, fun, or a combination of both?
Robin: It's always hard work, but It's Always fun!
What were your favourite moments?
Robin: My most favourite moments are when James says to me: "Honey YOU NAILED THAT VOCAL" LOL… But seriously… it's what I love to do… so the more I'm at the mic, the more favourite moments I have. Hearing them once they are mixed is the biggest high though.
Do you do anything special or unusual in the studio to get your sound, or do you like to keep it as natural and simple as possible?
Robin: I don't do anything different from what I've ever done before. I just sing it like I feel it.
I understand there were some piracy issues that stopped you offering an early digital release of the album. What is the actual story there and how has it all panned out as far as fan reaction etc. is concerned?
Robin: Well this is a touchy subject, but I believe in being honest so I will put it out there for your readers.
Although I don't think that my fans or any journalists did anything to hurt me or my record intentionally… somehow the fans or even webzines without meaning any harm thought that the music CD was up for grabs the second it came on the market and then wound up on YouTube disregarding the copyright rules of ownership. That can be a nightmare for everyone involved and really hurts the artists chances of having good sales.
When a CD goes up on iTunes or Amazon for sale, it's meant only for the person who bought it. Just because they have it doesn't mean they should put it up for free download through a club on a webzine or YouTube and profess to have permission from the owner to do so…
If anyone really wants to support the artist (me) don't do that! This is how we make a living and if they take that away from me then they also take away our ability to keep making the music that they love listening to.
To finally answer your question though…. the early digital release proved to be unsuccessful because of the leaking from webzines that picked it up and that certain fans wanting to share out of excitement drew too much attention to it and threatened the success of the CD all together. Like I said first though… I don't think anyone meant to disturb my CD sales by sharing it… but there can now never be an early release on digital from me again unless it's a deliberate give away. You live, you learn!
In the end, I know that my fans understand the reason why the CD was pulled down and forgive me because it was for them in the first place that I did an early release plan, it just back fired on me. I have had no problems since the company and I reached out to take it down from webzines, YouTube and so on to avoid illegal downloads and sharing and to give the CD a good chance at success.
Is the album coming out on known labels across the world, or are you handling the release yourself?
Robin: Territory by Territory I am handling it basically on my own… I do have distribution through Sony/Neo. My label is considered an Indie, "Her Majesty's Music Room".
Was that a forced or deliberate decision?
Robin: Deliberate! and Forced! I wanted to have my own label for a long time. Being able to put out the music that I choose is liberating. Wanting to give the fans "Trouble Or Nothing" again was the final push that I needed. I could not get anyone at any of the labels (from back in the day) who knew how to handle it, so after 5 years of trying to license it properly I was forced to re create it.
Do you get a chance to perform your music on the live stage very often? If so, what is a Robin Beck gig like?
Robin: I stopped to raise my daughter in 1997 except for T.V. performances which is not the same. I'm usually so busy in the studio and then with my daughter that it has become difficult in the last several years to put anything together, but now that she's old enough I think I will get back into the swim of it.
My performances are honest and usually loud! The band is always kick ass. I try to stay true to the music and have fun with the audience. I think the gigs are exciting and may cause you to rock out! On the more silly fun side, I might call someone up on stage with me to sing a song with me, so look out Jon if you are in the audience and I spot you:-) Lol.
You have put your voice to a few other projects over the years. Is there anything else penciled in for 2011 that will let us hear your dulcet tones?
Robin: There are a few things indeed… House of Lords and Fiona are a couple, I also did a very interesting project called "Marilyn" by Rob Bendelow's group Saracen. That's really a cool project. Respect!
Is there anyone you’d really love to work with one day?
Robin: Yes! Still John Waite and Steve Perry. OMG what a thrill that would be.
Any question you love being asked that I’ve missed? If so, what’s the answer?
Robin: "Anything you would like to say to the fans?"
I would just like to wish everyone a Happy New Year and all the best.
Are there any special events we should be looking out for from you in the new year.
Robin: Yes. We are trying to put together a tour with Me, James Christian, Fiona and of course Kane'd once we hit the UK. It will be a troop, meaning we will all share the same stage as each other. I am also featuring a music lottery on my website http://www.robinbeckrocks.com/. You can win a lot of great stuff just by picking up the new CD there.
Please come visit me at my website to read and listen to all the details and don't forget to leave me a message at my guestbook, I'm an old fashioned girl and I still like that. It may take me a minute to get back to you but I do write back. I'm also on Facebook… but then who isn't these days… would love to see you all there.
What are you up to once you’ve finished answering these questions?
Robin: Gonna go workout and get back into the studio as I'm working on the new House Of Lord project with James and Fiona.
Anything else you would like to mention?
Robin: Thank you for having me here and I appreciate you!
Thanks again to Robin for her time. Keep an eye out for our review of her latest album soon.
http://www.robinbeckrocks.com/
http://www.myspace.com/robinbeck
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100001206097398
