Supreme Music Asks Rob Goodwin: And What about Music?

Getting a glimpse into an artist’s journey is an absolute privilege. It inspires us and pushes us into different directions, collaborations and ultimately growth. Once Supreme Music heard that dusky, poignant, and captivating voice of THE SLOW SHOW’s lead singer, it was hooked.

Q> Please tell us your name and what you do professionally.

Rob> I’m Rob Goodwin. I’m a singer-songwriter/ touring musician. Made in Manchester and currently living in Düsseldorf.

Most of my time is spent singing and touring with my band The Slow Show and I’m currently working on a solo album which I’m excited about.

Q> Can you tell us about your first truly memorable musical experience and how it impacted you. Why do you remember it so clearly?

Rob> I remember my dad playing ‘Come Together’ from The Beatles Abbey Road album on his record player when I was young. Paul McCartney‘s bass line and John Lennon‘s vocal oozed attitude and feeling.

I‘d been surrounded by music growing up but this record hit me at the perfect time and made a big impression. It was unlike anything I’d heard before. Original and exciting although it was already over 20 years old. It still sounds like something from the future to me when I hear it today!

Q> Give us an insight into the most memorable project you executed and did music play a role in it?

Rob> In 2015 The Slow Show were invited to play at the Haldern Pop music festival in Germany. The show involved collaborating with the Cantus Domus choir and Stargaze orchestra.

Orchestrating and arranging such a big production and having so many wonderful musicians interpreting our music live was an unforgettable experience. The show was broadcast live on WDR and was a real coming of age moment for the band. 

Q> Is there someone who had an impact, good or bad, on your musical life?

Rob> I‘ve always been fascinated by music, especially the guitar. Sadly my early music education was at school and was conservative and uninspired. Lucky it didn’t stop me. I continued and was later inspired and influenced by some incredible artists.

As a young professional I played concerts with an incredible double bass player and educator called Jon Thorne. He was wild and unique and incredibly generous with his encouragement. I learned lots about passion, performance and the importance of being an artist, being present and in the moment from playing with Jon. I’m incredibly grateful for those early live opportunities and the example he set.

Q> What's the most unexpected place or situation where you've found inspiration for a music or sound approach?

Rob> One of my favourite contemporary authors is Karl Ove Knausgård. He has been described as ‘The Alchemist of the Ordinary’ and writes painfully honestly about his life and memories.

I often worried about making private thoughts public through my song writing. Knausgårds work has been a constant inspiration in this regard.

Q> Can you tell us about your favourite recording or mix session?

Rob> Recording music in big recording studios can feel clinical and the process is often slow. ‘Subtle Love’ is a Slow Show album that was recorded during a week long residential session in Belfast, Northern Ireland.

The location of cave hill, north Belfast where Joel our guitarist and his brother Dan (the album’s producer) grew up, felt a homecoming in many ways and provided an emotive and comfortable space to record. There was a youthfulness in the recording process. Making a record at Dans home studio, there was a sense of brotherhood amongst us all which was a timely post pandemic tonic. 

Q> Making music in 2055 will be like?

Rob> 'Come Together' The Beatles.

Q>And who will be the stars of tomorrow and how will they be discovered?

Rob> I think important music combines originality with timelessness. Good music usually has one or the other but profound music/artists (The stars of tomorrow) combine both qualities.

Whoever they are, I doubt very much that they’ll be scouted by record label A&R departments!

Please check out The Slow Show on Spotify and stay up to date here.

Photo credit: Mark Cox.