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Robin Auld - Leading South African Musician
Robin Auld lives in the scenic seaside village of Kommetjie, outside
of Cape Town.
Check out his website on www.robinauld.co.za |
Zambian-born guitarist Robin Auld has achieved notable musical successes
around the world. He has been described as one of "South Africa's
most enduring rock/pop artists" and his early career produced
14 top 20 songs and eight top ten singles. The 1992 album "Love
Kills" won a "best album of the year award" and in
1995 he won the TNT Magazine's Battle of the Bands competition.
He has been playing guitar for over 25 years and from picking up his
first guitar to becoming a prolific musician has been a bumpy ride…in
this interview he candidly talks about the many pitfalls for young
musicians and about what it is like to be a guitarist/musician…
When and why did you start playing guitar?
I started playing when I was 17. I had music at school because I love
music. Piano seemed like a lot of work and right from the beginning,
guitar playing didn't seem like work. I would play for hours, learning
from friends, crating my guitar to anyone who could play and picking
up what I could.
So you never had any formal tuition?
NoDoes one ever stop learning to play guitar?
No! When you stop learning, you should stop playing. One is always
learning from others, discovering new things, getting inspiration
that way. Initially you learn through techniques, but later you get
less concerned with technique and more with the way in which you're
expressing yourself.
What made you decide on making a life out of music?
I was too lazy to do anything else! From when I first started out,
I knew that this was what I wanted to do. I didn't think about it
like that, but I enjoyed playing and learning to play. It's just what
I always wanted to do - it's what I was put on the planet to do.
What was your first instrument and why?
An accoustic guitar. I enjoy both equally, but my bread and butter
comes from accoustic guitar.
How old were you and when did you join your first band?
The first proper band was the Lancaster Band, I played with them for
three or four years, starting off on keyboard in '78 (20years old)
and ended up playing electric guitar.
How many bands have you played in?
After that I played in one more band, the Steve Walsh's Roots Rhythm
Band, but after that it was basically my own bands: Z-Astaire and
the Robin Auld band.
When and why did you go solo?
I wasn't really a solo project. Basically I started my own band, the
Robin Auld Band and as principal songwriter and singer, I tended to
feature more. The other members are Peter Cohen (drums) and Nelson
Barbosa (bass).
What kind of music did you start out playing?
I started out playing Neil Young as my main accoustic influence and
Jimi Hendrix as my main electric influence.
How have you seen your music grow and change over the years?
Now it is less pop orientated. Unfortunately, in the 80s, it was all
about a certain sound, especially in South Africa. I survived the
80s but didn't enjoy them particularly much in terms of music production
values. Over the years, I've been getting more and more control of
my music. When I was starting out, I didn't know how the music industry
worked, I got ripped off…now I'm pretty much in control.
My interests are still very much the same, though with the the songwriting
I am probably paying more attention to the lyrics, spending more time
on the songs. Nowadays, I go for a sound that is less manufactured
and I enjoy the Dave Matthews approach. My music is based on performance
rather than programming or sequencing.
Do you write your own music/lyrics?
Yes….always.
Do you use the Internent to sell CDs?
Oh yes! Sometimes people come across my site by accident or they're
recommended by friends. Many musicians get suckered into thinking
they need production companies to make a living, but in reality they
must take control. For example, even if I sell only one tenth of the
amount of CDs over the web, I still make 50 times the amount of money.
From your experience, where is it easiest to make a living as a
musician?
Although the music industry in South Africa is not geared towards
local musicians, I like living in South Africa. Here I am largely
a niche product, but a strong one and as I have control over myself
and my music, it is viable for me.
What advice do you have for youngsters starting out?
Starting out as a musician is difficult. My advice is to do as much
as possible by yourself - keep as many rights as possible and sign
as little as possible. Don't sign away rights to sell in the rest
of the world. Few musicians know that you don't need to have a record
deal nowadays, with the technology available now, you can record a
master CD for minimal output and produce and promote your music without
the record companies.
What are the biggest challenges facing a musician/guitarist?
To make a living - trying to make sure the creative side is matched
by the business side. Musicians should look at their professions like
plumbers do. There is a lot of exploitation in the music business.
How many albums have you recorded?
13.
Which one is your favourite and why?
I don't really have a favourite one, my next one is a favourite…it's
not out yet….but the new one is always the baby…
Who do you listen to now i.e. what bands do you like?
When I'm at home, I listen to stuff like Tom Waits and Louis Mahlanga…
How would you describe your music?
Acoustic pop.
What is the biggest perk of being a musician?
Getting laid! No, I'm serious….that's the main reason why people
start playing guitar!
Biggest disadvantage?
Your financial status - not how much money you have, but the view
banking takes of your profession… it's impossible trying to apply
for a car loan, medical aid etc.
What would you say are your biggest musical achievements?
It's very difficult to say, I don't have one particular thing…Any
good night is a highlight for me. If I connect with people, if my
music does something, then that is a highlight of the night.
You are also known as a big surfer. How does surfing feature in
your music?
They interfere…but it's a happy interference! Music comes first
though…Many people ask me if I get inspired if I'm out at sea,
but I don't get inspiration from surfing…if I should need inspiration,
I could just go to Johannesburg for two weeks and that dislocation
jarrs creativity…
What other mediums have you explored ie. literature/poetry
Last year I published my first novel, Tight Lines and it is doing
quite well….there is a steady trickle and it is getting a good
response.
Last question…..are you happy?
Yes, I'm happy…I get angry sometimes but that's how I know I'm
alive!
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