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ML: You’ve been voted Colorado’s best singer-songwriter. That’s got to be a crowded field. What would you say sets you apart?

RD: The easy answer: I think I am the only Colorado songwriter with a ‘fro, though that doesn’t exactly matter in a recording studio. The Colorado singer-songwriters are an impressive bunch. There are quite a few of them I would prefer to never have to follow at a show.

My guitar style has become a strong suit for me. A lot of amazing songwriters know three chords and have capos. I grew up playing jazz guitar and put a lot of emphasis on my playing. It’s kind of like an additional hook for a song.

ML: You’ve got a pretty sweet logo inspired by your distinctive look. Did you originally intend to stand out physically as well as musically?

RB: Definitely not! I was a short-haired biochemist all throughout college. When I decided to pursue music, I did what any other rebel would do: let my hair grow. Mine just happened to grow upwards instead of downwards.

ML: Your website notes that Colin Hay is a fan of yours. How exciting is it to learn that your work has struck a chord with a musical legend?

RD: I was introduced to Colin Hay like every other twenty something was: the “Garden State” soundtrack. In the movie, they play this really beautiful, wistful song of his called “I Just Don’t Think I’ll Ever Get Over You” when Natalie Portman’s hamster dies. I loved it! I opened for Colin Hay two nights in Denver and he was really friendly to me. Each night he complimented my playing and at the end of the second show, he handed me $20 and says, “I want to buy one of your CDs.” Zach Braff hasn’t called me yet, though, so apparently my plot has not worked.

ML: You played at this year's Democratic National Convention. How did that invitation come about?

RB: Open mic night leads to private party leads to playing a Colorado senator’s private party leads to an invitation to play for Bill Clinton leads to “we should invite Rob to play the DNC!” It was a crazy chain of events but I am thrilled and honored. I am playing outside Invesco field for about 4 hours before Obama’s acceptance speech.

ML: How big a role have internet outlets like MySpace played in expanding your fan base?

RD: I am still a die-hard supporter of playing out every chance I get, as opposed to sitting at home each night sending out blind friend requests and getting my play counts up to huge levels. It’s when small independent bloggers or music sites take note of you, or even when a fan writes her friends an email telling people about your music. That’s when I am thankful for the internet!

ML: As a currently unsigned artist, do you have aspirations of landing a label deal in the near future?

RD: Record labels still exist?

Everyone starts with dreams of being signed to a major label. But I think most of us learn after a few years that failure is more likely when you're signed as [opposed to] when you're on your own. I've seen labels do wonders for bands like the Flobots and The Fray, and I've seen artists destroyed. That's not to say I'd turn down a record deal, but I've learned to be wary. I’ll have my business game face on.

ML: You’ve played venues from coffee houses to amphitheaters. Do you approach a festival like Monolith any differently than those gigs?

RD: This is the first major festival I’ve taken part in. Normally I send out emails and call my friends about a $10 cover. Tickets for Monolith are $110 bucks. I feel like the only thing I can do is hope the folks at the festival know my name from around town and will come check out my set over the hip-hop group Atmosphere. I’ll sing my heart out as usual.

ML: Your bio says you started playing guitar with dreams of being a metal star. Do those hard rock influences find their way into your current, mellower sound?

RD: I play that acoustic guitar pretty dang hard! If I did it on electric with a distortion pedal, you might say, “Is that Kirk Hammett playing?” OK, almost. The real reason I grew out my hair was to head bang. Some of my guitar students still ask to learn Metallica songs and I LOVE it. They are some exceptional musicians!

ML: Are there any other Monolith artists you’re especially excited about seeing live?

RD: Devotchka, Dave Beegle, The Photo Atlas, Hearts of Palm, Paper Bird, The Wheel, Joshua Novak… Catch my drift? Rock on Colorado!

- Ira Brooker

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