Speaking With Bootlessbob
Chelsea Gordon
I took out some time to interview a fresh and up-and-coming artist who goes my the name of “Bootlessbob” on instagram. ‘Robert’ makes electronic-style music using his own initiative, in the hopes to grow his following and create a living for himself through only the means of producing music, his passion. With the right ambition, it is possible for anyone to pursue a dream, this was proven to me through conversing with Robert, learning about his work and enthusiasm towards what he does.
How did you become interested in making music, what started it all?
“My dad brought a drum kit home one day for me and my brother when I was younger. From then on I just picked up other instruments such as guitar and piano and got a few lessons in each.”
Why do you make music now? Do you view it as a job or hobby?
“I make music because I enjoy it (most of the time) and view it as a hobby but would love for it to be sustainable as a job. I hope I get big enough that I could tour playing my own music.”
Most of the time? What aspects do you not enjoy?
“I can get disheartened with it quite easily and feel like what I’m playing/recording sounds bad.”
Do you have any influences or inspirations that keep you going?
“There’s a band called ‘Sunbeam Sound Machine’ who I’ve been listening to a lot lately. ‘Girl In Red’ is also a big inspiration as I watched her go from quite a small SoundCloud following to millions of plays on Spotify.”
Is there a structure that you adhere to when making music? What’s your creative process?
“Uhhh no, unfortunately, I just kinda sit on the floor with a guitar and my laptop and hope for the best when it comes to creativity.”
When you are making music, do you have a specific style that you’re trying to achieve?
“Uhh sometimes, if I’m messing around with synths then I know I want to do some sort of slow electronic thing like ‘Evergreen’ but when I’m on guitar I usually write the more surf rock kinda stuff.”
What kind of music do you listen to? What’s your favourite kind and why?
“I’m into a lot of jazz like ‘Dave Brubeck’ and ‘Art Tatum’. But my favourite genre currently is alternative dance/electronic so people like ‘Baths’ and ‘Aphex Twin’ and more experimental stuff like ‘Oneohtrix Point Never’.”
Could you tell me more about you and your music? Who are you and what can people expect from your sound?
“I don’t really have any sort of message for people but I just make music in my room. It’s a bit costly to get music software and instruments etc. but you can just make it in your bedroom as a lot of artists are at the moment.”
Robert’s attitude towards music is perfectly summed up in how he creates it himself. With humble enthusiasm and his DIY approach to creating, emerges the blissful sound that is Bootlessbob. No amount of professional production or fancy software could better this outstanding artists, the core feel of his music sticking to the authenticity of a bedroom recording studio and utter passion. This is defiantly worth the listen!
