Interview

Babble & Beat - You've described your music as "imaginary film scores." Have you always been a movie buff? I mean, what specifically guided you to do this particular style?

Robin - I’ve been hearing cinematic music in my head since as far back as I can remember. Probably due to Ennio Morricone’s scores or the Star Wars trilogy (I was obsessed as a kid and had all these soundtracks on vinyl and cassette from the age of 3 or 4)... and later on in life, Blade Runner - which is the inspiration behind the song, 'D.A.D.O.E.S' (Do Androids Dream Of Electric Sheep).

Last time I went home to England my dad pulled out his original vinyl copy of Morricone’s 'For A Few Dollars More'. I didn’t know he’d hung on to it this long. We just sat there, each with a beer in hand, listening. That album has a profound affect on me every time I hear it. It sounds pretentious to say it, but life is one big film to me and I hear these ideas for melodies all the time - most often at inopportune moments when I’m doing something else, and I’ll have to somehow try and keep it in my head 'til I can get home and play it.

Babble & Beat - Have you ever contributed music to a film? If so, which one(s)?

Robin - I worked on a couple of shorts here in France a few years ago. It definitely gave me a taste and I will be working in that area soon, hopefully on a much bigger scale.

There are many directors I’d love to work with, especially Michael Mann ('Heat', 'Collateral', 'Miami Vice') and of course British director Sean Ellis (the excellent 'Cashback'), who I befriended on Myspace and has since done the album cover for 'Life Is Elsewhere'. You can add David Lynch to that list too!

Babble & Beat - The album cover is so intense, and beautiful. I just love it!

What is your favorite instrument to play?

Robin - I loved playing the piano on my own when I was small. Seeing such enthusiasm, my parents sent me for lessons when I was about 8 or 9, but looking at the sheet music and not at my fingers was never going to do it for me. I’d learn the song by ear and then pretend to play the sheet music. So, when they found out that was the end of that! When I got my first guitar it was a revelation because I could do much more things and use all these different sounds, and at 14 it’s much easier to pose with a guitar than with your grandmother’s piano.

Babble & Beat - Do you ever sing?

Robin - Only when I have to. The voice is an instrument like any other, if the song needs it the song gets it. The melody is the key to me, not the voice or the instrument.

Babble & Beat - You're debut album, 'Life is Elsewhere', is scheduled for a February release. What words come to mind to describe it?

Robin - Intense therapy.

Babble & Beat - You used a lot of vintage equipment during the recording of the album. Besides some spoken headaches and added intensity, what else did the vintage equipment bring to this effort?

Robin - We never set out to use vintage equipment, it just came about in that manner. To start with, the mixing desk was old as the hills, and quite unpredictable. In the two months or so it took to make this record, we started to think we were cursed, things kept breaking left, right and centre; amps, computers, samplers, you name it, it packed in at some point. It’s funny now but at the time it was quite stressful, though I’m sure that added to the intensity of the record.

Babble & Beat - In the last few years you have pursued a solo career. You were once a member of the bands, Beth & Moneypenny. Do you think you're at your best now?

Robin - Definitely.

Babble & Beat - On tour you've supported many well-loved acts. What was it like working alongside bands like Placebo and New Model Army?

Robin - They are both great groups, they’re like these big machines. It’s a big show, lights, sound, crew, everything. Back then we were just starting out... you’d show up in a couple of cars and your parking space is allocated next to this huge shiny tour bus with blacked-out windows. It’s quite overwhelming at first, but then you have to remember why you’re there. At the end of the day they’re just like you, but further up the ladder.

Babble & Beat - For the purposes of playing live, you have a tour band called, Never Meet Your Heroes. Why this name? Have you ever found yourself disappointed after meeting one?

Robin - That name came about after a discussion with my girlfriend; I was talking to a friend about how I’d declined a backstage pass to meet Morrissey in Paris. When they asked why I said, "Never meet your heroes" and my girlfriend jumps up and shouts "that’s it!" and it is.

I’ve since become good friends with one of his musicians, but that’s close enough for me. When you’ve spent your teens idolizing someone so much you don’t want to risk that, you don’t want them to be normal human beings. That said I’d love to write for him one day.

Babble & Beat - I totally get what you are saying but... it was Morrissey! Speaking of which, I just got a Morrissey Christmas ornament for my "only antique glass ornaments" tree yesterday. That's just one example of how much I like his work. Still, I understand as I had a very disappointing experience with one of my other faves, Clan of Xymox, when I was in my teens.

After the release of your debut early next year, do you plan on touring? Where?

Robin - Anywhere and everywhere that’ll have me.

Juicy Tidbits Section

This is where we ask personal questions for the fans. Yeah, they're often stupid questions. We like reading the answers though!

Babble & Beat - Please tell us about the last nightmare you had.

Robin - I often have strange dreams about talking animals, very weird stuff... talking whales, for example. Go figure! Otherwise, I have recurring themes like cocking the songs up on stage or something not working at a gig.

Babble & Beat - Do you collect anything? What & why?

Robin - Erm... Not really, the usual suspects - CDs, vinyls, etc. My mother still sends me something Star Wars every Christmas; she has done ever since I was a kid. I have these things spread all over the house; the plastic lightsaber is a winner.

Babble & Beat - Do you prefer traditional English food or French food?

Robin - English of course, a full English breakfast served with a nice French red, naturally.

Babble & Beat - What do you always splurge on?

Robin - I buy way too many black shirts.

In Closing

Robin, thank you so much! We look forward to the release of 'Life is Elsewhere'.

Links:
Robin Foster's MySpace - music clips!
Never Meet Your Heroes MySpace