Andy Robinson - ProfilesArchive

About Me

I play a combination of acoustic instruments, such as kalimba and mountain dulcimer, mixed with synths and more traditional "rock" instrumentation, to create music that sounds like...well, like life! That's the way I hear it, anyhow. I've been in numerous bands (an extensive bio is posted at www.andyrobinsonmusic.com), but for the past several years I've concentrated on recording my compositions, solo, or with the occasional guest player (I just had ex-Zappa sideman, Mike Keneally, add some guitar to a song I'm working on, for instance.)If I had to sum up my current approach (which has been called everything from "world fusion" to "folk rock on LSD"), I'd put it this way: who are we, really, to tell music how to sound? I think it's a lot more fun to listen to what music is saying, and then help it to say what it wants.Does that make sense to you? Yeah? Cool. No? Oh well...Either way, it's probably best just to listen!

My Interests

Music:

Member Since: 7/27/2006
Band Website: andyrobinsonmusic.com
Band Members: I'm a solo artist - I played most of the instruments on my CD, "Exotic America", with guest appearances by fingerstyle guitarist, Pat Kirtley, multi-instrumentalists Dennis Caplinger and Tripp Sprague, my talented bro', Doug Robinson, and several other friends...I've also been priviledged to play in various bands with a bunch of great folks, including the late, great Mike Condello, Michael Steele (Bangles), and the fantastic slide guitarist, Scott Colby.
Influences: The following people, places and things have inspired me: The Beatles, Kinks, Penguin Cafe Orchestra, Brian Eno, Terry Riley, David Schnaufer, Harry Partch, Mark Twain, David Sedaris, Steve Martin, Andy Warhol, Dagmar, The Earthlings, Doug Robinson, Jazzooo, Charles Ives, John Prine, Dave Edmunds, Weisstronauts, surf music, Torrey Pines State Beach, Painted Desert, Meteor Crater, Taylor Guitars, Hugh Tracey, my G4 Powerbook, Six Feet Under, Tai Chi, yoga, Kauaii, big waves and the sweet scent of night-blooming cactus blossoms...
Sounds Like: Here are some quotes from reviews of my recent CD, "Exotic America":John D'Agostino, Wood&Steel -"When I was a music critic for the LA Times, people would ask what criteria I use in determining whether music is "good". I listen for originality. When I listen to Andy Robinson's music, I'm visiting a musical space occupied only by Andy."George Varga, San Diego Union Tribune -"...a seamless blend of Western and Eastern folk stylings that are rich in warmth and charm..." Kathryn LaMar, The Folknik -"...an incredibly fun, upbeat, infectiously optimistic-feeling CD. Highly recommended for anyone willing to explore both music and their own imagination."Kronosonic.com - "...fans of pop will love the hooks and compelling melodies, and the more adventurous of us will appreciate the multiplicity of colors, timbres, and oddities in the mix. A solid A effort."Simeon Flick, San Diego Troubadour -"It's easy to forget that this is an instrumental album; the melodies and solos are engaging, performed on instruments that one would hardly think belonged together. Exotic America is a melting pot of cultural diversity stirred in the cauldron of joy."
Record Label: Brontosaurus Records
Type of Label: None

My Blog

Exotic America clips online

For those of you who'd like to hear more songs from my CD, "Exotic America," I thought I'd direct your attention to cdbaby.com/andyrobinson. There are 2-minute clips from every song on the CD th...
Posted by Andy Robinson on Wed, 22 Oct 2008 11:19:00 PST

Books Ive been reading, and an upcoming gig!

I'm reading a Louis L'Amour novel. I feel like my dad, or something - very, very old school. Ancient school! I recently read a couple of interesting books, though. One is Water for Elephants, by Sara...
Posted by Andy Robinson on Sat, 03 Nov 2007 09:38:00 PST

You can buy my songs here now! (Track listings)

Read the track listings, check out my sound clips on the SNOCAP player on my MySpace page, buy a tune or two! If you want to hear longer sound clips, visit cdbaby.com/andyrobinson. Dec...
Posted by Andy Robinson on Mon, 16 Apr 2007 08:01:00 PST

Something Wicked, part 2

OK, so I finished the book, and by the time I got to the end I was a little tired of Bradbury's over-poetic style. But, still, he spins a good old-fashioned yarn, and it would make a good Spielb...
Posted by Andy Robinson on Mon, 09 Apr 2007 09:12:00 PST

Something Wicked This Way Comes

I read this Ray Bradbury book when I was a kid, and I remember that I liked it, but up until I starting re-reading it again recently I couldn't remember many details about the story. Man, this b...
Posted by Andy Robinson on Sat, 10 Mar 2007 09:44:00 PST

Kalimba Kings debut

Last night was my new band's debut at a Border's open mic in El Cajon. It was very rewarding to hear the typical audience chatter die away as people settled in to listen to our quiet and me...
Posted by Andy Robinson on Sat, 24 Feb 2007 09:36:00 PST

Folkey Monkey gig

My gig at Joe Rathburn's Folkey Monkey was great - a chance for me to do some of my old singer/songwriter stuff and see some good friends. I also got to introduce my new musical partner, Jon Sprague.&...
Posted by Andy Robinson on Fri, 08 Dec 2006 10:00:00 PST

kalimba kreativity

My article on kalimbas and kalimba playing is published in this month's San Diego Troubadour, a free paper that covers local acoustic artists. Go to sandiegotroubador.com and click the "Front Po...
Posted by Andy Robinson on Fri, 03 Nov 2006 06:52:00 PST

I love living in San Diego

Today I drove east for about an hour, out to the high desert. I got out and rode my mountain bike for a couple of hours (this was at about 8 a.m.). The sky was unbelievable - polka dot clouds al...
Posted by Andy Robinson on Mon, 02 Oct 2006 07:16:00 PST

my interview posted at kalimbamagic.com!

Check it out - I did an interview for this cool website that is devoted to the kalimba! The guy who runs the site knows more about kalimbas than anyone I've ever met. It's a fascinating si...
Posted by Andy Robinson on Fri, 22 Sep 2006 08:26:00 PST