Robert Philipp is a guitar player and genre connoisseur with a thrilling, but also heartbreaking story. He is in the midst of recording a singer-songwriter album in the room where his ill mother, who passed away last year, used to live. Armed with a disdain for the music industry and heaps of talent, Robert only has a single goal — to keep making music, exercising its healing and creative powers for the world to see. Get to know this fantastic, devoted musician from his Drooble interview!

Hello! Tell the world about yourself. How did you grow up to become the musician you are today?

I studied music a lot both in Italy and in Canada. I was a young kid that had a love for classical music and The Beatles. I was never a purist in one genre. I was all over the map! From Classical, Flamenco, Jazz, Blues, and Rock. I couldn’t get enough of it. It helped a great deal that my parents were VERY supportive of me being a musician. They were both artistic and lovers of the art. My brother was also a well known painter. So, no one was encouraged to become a doctor or a lawyer. I was very fortunate to have all of their support. I hope they’re resting in peace.

Introduce your current musical projects and tell us what makes each one special for you!

I wrote a lot of songs while my mother was very ill. When she passed away in April 2017, I felt completely alone. I took care of her for years. She was my best friend but above all of that, she was my mother. While I was cleaning her room after she passed, I remembered going into her room with my guitar after my brother and father had passed. I used to sing songs for her when she couldn’t sleep. That stayed with me. Something hit me! I grabbed some old tape recorders, my acoustic guitars, a microphone, a pre-amp and a compressor. I decided on recording my new album, OUT OF THE RED in her room. Four acoustic guitar parts and vocals. I’m not quite finished with it yet, and I don’t expect commercial radio to embrace it when it’s released. It’s a project that my heart told me to do. Just like the rest of the projects that I’ve been involved with. There are many. Each one has a personal history of life on this planet. Okay, maybe getting overly heavy. They’re songs.

You have been playing music for a long while! How do you find the drive and inspiration to keep going all this time?

Believing that life still matters.

What draws you to playing the guitar?

It’s melodic, harmonious, percussive (if you know how to strum it), and a individualistic instrument (they all have a their own voices), and it hugs me back when I hold it. What else could you ask for?

How is your local music scene in your perspective? Do you feel like you belong there?

It smells bad! Clubs featuring new artists are shutting down, tribute bands draw crowds in bigger clubs for people that only want to live in the past. I don’t think that most people want art. They would rather just be entertained for an hour or two by things that are familiar to them. If those people think that they just experienced Led Zeppelin, The Beatles, The Stones etc… Then something is very wrong. I’ll always find a way to reach an audience of my own. No HEAVY marketing involved. Reaching out, while they’re reaching out to you, is gold.

What is your all-time favorite record and how did it change you as an artist?

If I mention only one record, it would be a lie.

Why is income for musicians like you problematic where you are?

People rip people off. I think applies to many professions.

What are your favorite software and hardware tools for music production?

I like tape. I have all of the latest computer rigs. I don’t really like them. I’m here to capture music. Not to make anyone believe that I’m good.

Out of all the live shows you played, which one was the most memorable?

I’ve opened and performed for many famous people. It doesn’t matter now. It’s not like we’re friends and they’re going to remember me because I shared a stage with them. It was new to me. Not to them. Most memorable….Playing and singing for my loved ones while they were passing away in front of me.

What is your biggest musical goal?

To keep making music.

How has being on Drooble helped you as a musician?

I like the sense of community. I think you’re on the right track and so am I. Thank you!