Soulfully inspired, multi-instrumentalist singer-songwriter, Rob Edwards combines jazz, blues and R&B with the powerful art of storytelling to create a unique and authentic sound. The release of the raw and authentic “Dreaming” dives into the painful and all too common story of the Stolen Generation in Australia, and the effects it has passed on from generation to generation.
We caught up with him to chat about the song and his writing journey.
How does it feel having your latest single “Dreaming” out?
Yeah, after months of work, getting past that wall of putting a song out, after working on it for so long and it passing through so many hands.
It’s a deep, meaningful and layered song. How long did it take and what were the influences behind it?
It built over time. I spent time in Melbourne last year, and those Melbourne winters are brutal. Adelaide is not as dark and grey all the time. It gets you a little introspective and reflective. I was sitting with a cup of coffee in the morning and journaling. I set out to write a rhythmically driven song, inspired by Jordan Rakei, starting with the vocals and the drum groove. I bought it to my band, and we were jamming at rehearsal when this whole instrumental B-section came in. I think this complemented the heavy thoughts and the big questions. You take a step back and it’s a big space to sit in. The trumpet and the keys; it became its own journey.
I’ve noticed with your music that layering is prominent. You even seem to incorporate uniquely Australian sounds.
I have a little recording studio on a hill in the bush, and even sitting now I’m listening to the wind blow through the trees. I love percussion sounds as well, especially live.
It feels to me as though you’ve intersected natural and human energies in your story telling. How hard is to expose your soul within that story telling?
It kind of mirrors my personality outside of music. It’s a journey that I’ve been on – who do I want to be on stage? It’s a conversation that I love to have, mental health is a wonderful topic. I spent the first seven years of my career life working for the ambulance service on the road. I ended up getting PTSD through that and made a promise back then to never not talk about it. If I’m hiding it, then I’m hiding it from myself. I discovered the impact of making a heavy topic a casual conversation. If everyone feels safer then it’s no longer this scary topic.
To me, it seems that your story is a part of a bigger world story. Sharing stories makes people feel that they belong.
All our stories together, it’s like a woven tapestry. If people don’t share their stories, then there’s a hole in the pattern. A lot of my songs come from the history of talking about my families and the stolen generation, and talking publicly about my great-grandmother being taken is one of the most nerve-wracking things I can think about, but I understand the greater importance of that. Ultimately, it’s education, acceptance and then healing.
Some of the other songs that you’ve released include “Lonely Lover” and “Searching.” Do you find it easier to write sad songs than happy songs?
I thought about this recently. I process happiness in a different way. It’s a widespread commonality between artists on how to process heavy emotions versus happy emotions. I like to live my happy moments. I put my phone down and be there present in that. Sadness and pain comes through beautifully in art.
You’re a multi-instrumentalist musician. Are you self-taught?
I had guitar lessons since I was eight years old. My parents were very supportive. Every Monday after school they drove me to lessons and bribed me with potato cakes. When I was about ten years old, Dad took me to see Tommy Emmanuel and it just blew my mind with what was possible. Everything else has come after that – keys I was self-taught. Everything except drums. Playing drums is one thing that I can’t quite manage, but luckily, I have great friends who are very talented.
What’s your song writing process as far as locking yourself away in the studio?
I’ve been travelling around in a van for the last seven years, doing van life in Byron, touring up and down the coast, setting up the PA system on a beach, jamming. Then coming back and traveling even with just a single acoustic guitar and writing songs with that. Coming back to the studio, it’s ten minutes from the beach, about an hour south of Adelaide, so it’s like a retreat. I tend to just spend time with the dogs at home and wait for that creative flow. Nothing is off limits and I have folders of odd genres and songs that will never be anything. That’s all just part of the process.
I write little folksy songs, but lately I’m writing orchestral compositions. Occasionally I’ll pop out a little pop banger that makes you laugh. With collaboration, sometimes when you meld two minds together you come up with something that’s great, but other times it’s just a good time.
Who are your inspirations and influences?
I think John Mayer really plays a guitar in a way that’s not just strumming some chords. I found that Jordan Rakei and Haitus Kaiyote have shaped my last five or six years. This journey has transitioned me to do the big full band sounds. I love the London jazz scene. I like the idea of the music telling its own story behind the lyrics.
Touring with bands can be inspirational. I toured with Melbourne singer WILSN earlier this year, she didn’t sing a wrong note and the songs were just so well written in a soul blues way. I was inspired by her and the power of voice and melodies in vocal arrangements.
What’s next on your list?
We have a massive list of shows here in South Australia. I’ve done a lot of traveling and touring this year. I spent about six months on the road. We did some headline shows and festivals up in Queensland. We played with King Stingray which was an absolute vibe. That is the energy that I want to have on stage. We played with them at a community festival in Ceduna in July. Handpicked Festival is coming up at Langhorne Creek in a month. It has Ball Park Music, Budjerah, Lime Cordiale and even Mel C from the Spice Girls. Then there’s a string of festivals around the state. Love to tour Europe too.
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