Levi Robin first discovered a love for playing guitar and songwriting during his youth in California, and music has since propelled him on his unique journey. After releasing his self-titled debut EP in 2013, he went cross country opening up for artist Matisyahu’s acoustic tour, and has since expanded to performing internationally as well.
His music, a combination of poetic lyrics and soulful melodies, has been compared to acts like Ray Lamontagne, Jeff Buckley and Iron and Wine. Since 2016, Levi has been hard at work on new material with grammy nominated bassist, composer and producer Stu Brooks and grammy nominated producer and engineer Joel Hamilton. This year, he is ready to share with the rest of the world the fruits of his labor.
In this interview spotlight, I chat with Levi about No Other, challenges, technology and more.
Full Q&A along with links and music below.
Where are you from and what style of music do you create?
I was raised in Huntington Beach, California and the sounds of my music are influenced by the American folk, blues, jazz and rock n’ roll i grew up listening to, along with influences from meditative jewish melodies called “niggunim” although I wouldn’t say I’m faithful to one genre in particular
What led you down this path of music and what motivates you to keep going?
I started writing in early adolescence and through a purely subconscious flow i began to hear things in my music and lyrics that was more than who I thought I was. It was like stumbling upon a reservoir of insight, inspiration and emotional potency, even though I was just a minimally experienced adolescent.
I feel a sense of duty to share what I hear of the undercurrents flowing throughout life, beneath the radar, as I find it easy to simply not take notice of the pulsing aliveness in everything.
How is this new release different than previous ones? Were you trying to accomplish anything specific?
The EP I had put out previously was recorded rather quickly and with a minimalist approach, which captured something raw and beautiful. I needed to have something to share when Matisyahu took me on tour only a few weeks after meeting him. That was my first step into the “music world.”
This is a full length album by contrast, and is a collection of songs chosen from years of writing, as well as a collaboration with a producer, Stu Brooks, who helped me actualize my broader vision of creating a musical space that could be entered as much as listened to.
Name one or two challenges you face as an indie musician in this oversaturated, digital music age? How has technology helped you (since we know it does help)?
I think the usual challenges of being an Indie artist is getting your music to the people who are of kindred spirit. thus said, there probably hasn’t been a better time to be an indie artist in large part to the ever broadening landscape of online streaming and social media. Sure there’s over saturation, but there are more people within reach and interconnected than ever before.
What was the last song you listened to?
Well actually, my friend was just over and showed me a track by Ilan Bluestone called “Hold on” featuring Alex Clare. I can’t say that trance is my usual go to, but I was definitely digging it.
Which do you prefer? Vinyl? CDs? MP3s?
If Vinyl was as portable and accessible as the MP3 mediums, I am pretty sure I would just be listening to Vinyl…I like to listen to albums in their entirety, so vinyls just seem made for that type of listening experience…but I think each has its advantage and reason for being.
How about this one…. Do you prefer Spotify? Apple Music? Bandcamp? Or something else? Why?
I don’t stream music much at all. Because I still live in the stone age? In fact I probably listen to a lot less music than people would assume I do, and at the same time i hear a lot more music than people think I do, just not in the way that people think of music.
Where is the best place to connect with you online and discover more music?
You can connect and keep up with my music through my website levirobin.com and social media such as instagram, facebook, and youtube.
Anything else before we sign off?
Just a thanks to you and the readers for this conversation!
