Exclusive Music Review and Interview with Daniel Robbins
About Daniel
“I am an artist/producer from Denver Colorado. I started singing two years ago and from there I ventured into full scale music production. I was raised on R&B, Hip-Hop, and Rock. I have played guitar for over a decade which is where I found my affinity for music.”
‘City Blues’
Denver is the capital of Colorado. It is located about a mile above sea level. Weed is legal there, while riding your bike on the sidewalk is not…
Listen, there are plenty of things about the scene that we’re not crazy about, but the good far outweighs the bad. If you think it sucks, you’re either new there or you’re just not paying attention! Let me explain why the music scene rocks. The only thing bigger than music in Denver is the Broncos. And you know how we feel about them, right?
Tons of bands have gotten love here before anybody else in the country even knew who they were. Ask Phish and the Dave Mathews Band. Fans aren’t afraid to give new music a chance, even if they’ve never heard of you. So let’s talk about Daniel Robbens and his hit single “City Blues”
Can I just say that is a sick melody!? He sings about great weed and an escape from the city with lyrics like:
“That “Colorado Strong” got me miles high”
and
“I need just need to vacate to a fun beach”
Overall, this is an excellent choice for a single and I found myself humming it after only a couple of listens. Whilst continued success in Denver is more than likely, I think Daniel’s music has a universal appeal and timeless quality that could mean his success could become global, provided he gains the right exposure.
This is an extremely impressive track from an amazing up-and coming artist. Please check out “City Blues” being played on Kiss 104.7 FM through our Exposed Vocals FM Broadcast Sponsorship program and we’ve also got an exclusive interview with Daniel Robbins. Check it out below!
By HBdidit – Exposed Vocals Music Reviewer and Breaking News Contributor.
A NYC fashion designer, music reviewer and lover of life!
Radio Play on Kiss 104.7 FM – Listen to the broadcast
Exclusive Interview:
Exposed Vocals: How did you hear about Exposed Vocals? What made you decide to sign up?
Daniel Robbins: Twitter and it looked like you offered a legitimate product.
Exposed Vocals: So tell us your story. Where did you grow up? What made you decide to become an artist?
Daniel Robbins: I was born and raised in Dallas Texas. I was brought up in a non denominational church that put emphasis on learning music, everyone I was around always played an instrument or sang, this somewhat put pressure on me to do something. I picked up guitar in the 6th grade and from there my love for playing and writing music came forth. In middle school my band played a cover of The All American Rejects – Swing Swing at the talent show, people literally lost their shit, thats when I knew that I had a calling.
Exposed Vocals: How did you come up with that name? What was your inspiration behind it?
Daniel Robbins: My name is Daniel Robbins, and my music is an extension of me.
Exposed Vocals: What do you think about online music sharing? Do you ever give your music away for free? Why?
Daniel Robbins: I love how the internet has brought new ways of bringing sounds to people. Technically all my music is free right now, I need to establish why you would want to buy it first and then maybe one day you will.
Exposed Vocals: Since everyone was a start-up once, can you give any smaller or local bands or artists looking to get gigs and airplay some tips?
Daniel Robbins: Time + ambition + talent. 10,000 hours and then your work will speak for itself. Persevere and believe in yourself.
Exposed Vocals: Do you ever make mistakes during performances? How do you handle that?
Daniel Robbins: As an artist there are always things you wished you did better for a track or show, just keep the ball moving and eventually it will go where you want it too. Usually I plan out all the things that could possibly go wrong during a show and have a plan B. Luck favors the prepared.
Exposed Vocals: Do you tour? Anything interesting happen on tour that you think our readers would enjoy hearing about?
Daniel Robbins: I have no plans to tour this year but if people enjoy my music enough who knows what could happen next year.
Exposed Vocals: Where do you usually gather songwriting inspiration? What is your usual songwriting process?
Daniel Robbins: I get inspired by favorite artists but mainly just from the idea that we should all only be doing things that come easier to us than the rest of the world when building a legacy to leave behind. My idea is that if you figure out your talent, whatever it is, and put 10k hours towards it, you will not only have success but you will be doing something you love. That is enough to inspire me for the rest of my life. As far as the process goes, I literally hear the song in my head and then the rest comes to me when I go to produce it.
Exposed Vocals: Do you have a band website? What online platforms do you use to share your music?
Daniel Robbins: soundcloud.com/drobb
Exposed Vocals: What are some really embarrassing songs that we might find on your mp3 player?
Daniel Robbins: I think the most embarrassing things in my library are all the death metal and hardcore bands I phased through in junior high. Bands like Slipknot, Norma Jean, and Slayer.
Exposed Vocals: If you were given half a million dollars and a year off, what would you do? How would you spend it?
Daniel Robbins: First off these days $500K is not that much after taxes. If given the opportunity I would invest a good portion into things that generate ROI. As far as the time off goes that is very romantic but life is short and you only live once therefore I would be working/ generating more opportunity for myself… alright maybe a two week vacay to a foreign beach with the crew.
Exposed Vocals: Any planned studio upgrades? What are you working with now?
Daniel Robbins: I produce and play live on Ableton. I use yamaha HS5’s, and a scarlet sound card. My recording mic is a Sterling ST55. As far as production gear goes I use an APC40, MPK, & MPD. The only things im interested in upgrading now are plug-ins, and a higher quality sound card.
Exposed Vocals: How do you find ways to promote your music? What works best for you?
Daniel Robbins: Playing shows and social media.
Exposed Vocals: If you could perform anywhere and with any artists (Dead or Alive) where and who would it be with? Why?
Daniel Robbins: I enjoy all the OVO artists and would love to play a show with any of them. My style has elements of hip-hop and relativity to house so it works well with artist that have a bass heavy sound that incorporates RnB.
Exposed Vocals: So, what’s next? Any new upcoming projects that you want to talk about?
Daniel Robbins: Playing as many shows as I can get in Denver is the plan for the rest of 2015.
Exposed Vocals: If you weren’t making music, what would you be doing?
Daniel Robbins: I went to school for business and have a passion for advertising which is the industry I currently am in. Would not have it any other way even if I didn’t make music.
Exposed Vocals: Do you remember buying your first album? Who was it? What was going through your head?
Daniel Robbins: Ill never forget the first three albums I picked up together: Backstreet boys( 1996 Album) , NSYNC(1998) , and Lauryn Hill( The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill) . I have always admired JT and Lauryn as vocalist and knew they had a bright future. As far as Backstreet Boys goes im not sure what was going through my head.
Exposed Vocals: How do you juggle the rest of your responsibilities while trying to stay ahead in your music life?
Daniel Robbins: Its just one of those things that is a necessity to me, If I dont make music I find the rest of my life is out of balance so I have to do it, its therapeutic. I find myself in the studio at night and in the office during the day.
Exposed Vocals: What should fans look forward to in 2015?
Daniel Robbins: Shows, singles, and a music video. Stay updated on my soundcloud: soundcloud.com/drobb
