Nottingham-based singer songwriter ROB.GREEN has drawn upon the varied genres of music he grew up with – including soul, RnB, indie and rock, to inform his own distinctive sound and style. His latest EP - ROB.GREEN EP debuted in the Top 40 of iTunes Album Chart in its first week (and #3 in iTunes RnB Chart). Over the past two years Rob has performed extensively; over 100 fixtures this last year including Glastonbury, BBC Proms, UK Arena Tours supporting Eric Bibb, The Whitney Houston BASE hologram tour and multiple GRAMMY winners - Earth Wind & Fire.
Most recently Rob has been finalising his debut album and released his music video for his latest single LIFE GOES ON, which was made during lockdown conditions using footage submitted by from over 300 fans in quarantine.
What made you want to do the job you currently do?
I’ve loved performing for as long as I can remember. I’ve always been acting, performing and a little later on began writing poetry, which I turned into songs after teaching myself the guitar online.
Although I’ve always been passionate about performing I’ve kept quite an open mind and tried lots of different disciplines.
To date I have worked professionally as a singer, writer, composer, actor, session musician, director, filmmaker, video producer, arranger, presenter, events manager, promoter, musical director, scriptwriter, editor, and lecturer. I love to connect with people, bring people together, break boundaries and to challenge myself - exploring all of these disciplines has helped me do that and made me confident to try even more new things.
How did you get started?
I taught myself to play guitar and keys mainly using the internet. I’ve had some one-on-one coaching with musician friends, especially when I learned the loop pedal for my live shows (shout out to Motormouf!). I attended university and studied a BA in Art, Event, Performance - a degree that explored multiple arts and performance disciplines and was built from the idea that to be a successful professional artist in the modern day you have to be able to turn your hand to many skills.
In the beginning the modern singer/songwriter is often also their own
manager, label, music video writer, director, stylist, website designer,
socials manager, musical director.... The list goes on! My degree gave me
the confidence to see myself as an artist and believe that I can develop
any skill I wish if I apply confidence and curiosity to whatever I do.
What did your early years in the role involve?
I began writing and performing my work wherever I could. It sounds obvious, but you have to commit to writing and sharing your work in some
form in order to succeed. It’s not about lots of fans at this point, but experimenting with your sound; in order to learn what works for you, the audience and your brand.
Eventually I signed to my first label and management and began releasing professional music. I was also working as a waiter to support myself during my first few releases and tours - recording my third EP in Bradford whilst working full time shifts in Derby restaurant meant I would work a full day and a half, get the first train to Bradford for 7pm, finish in the studio at 3am and be back in the restaurant the following afternoon for 12pm - hectic! (But lots of fun!)
It wasn’t until I released that third EP, which got into the R&B Chart and Album charts that my management was able to secure enough gigs for me to quit my waitering job and go full time as a musician and writer.
The arts are a complex industry. Sometimes you’re busy, you have lots of work, other times you have a dry season (or a global pandemic hits) that’s when you’re really going to have to be adaptable and it’s also when you will probably grow the most as an artist!
What’s an average week look like for you now?
I’m doing a lot of composing work at the moment which means I spend most of my days in my writing studio, developing ideas, recording and working on projects and having zoom meetings (yay!).
I also like to keep my social media content going and have been posting some music on my instagram page. I am using this time to make new contacts in the industry and write and develop material ready for the transition back to live shows.
What’s the one thing you wish someone had told you as you embarked on your Creative Career?
Go for best, not perfection. Aiming for perfection is self-destructive and unproductive. Aiming for your best and developing your craft each time so you can be better is key. “Perfection” is really you trying to eliminate shame, guilt, blame and risk from your work. And when you focus on that, you won’t dare make anything that will actually move people and you will too focused on what is coming up, or what just happened to enjoy the work you’re doing in the moment. Be present, be open and be yourself.
