The 411 Magazine The 411 Magazine issue 4 July/Aug 2017 | Page 19

FEATURE ever been in... gigging there would be awesome!  In 2016, your self-titled ROB.GREEN EP debuted in the Top 40 of iTunes Album Chart in it's first week and #3 in iTunes RnB Chart, that's incredible. How did this feel and what did you do to celebrate? UNBELIEVEABLE and really humbling. I mean myself, Christella Litras and Jonnie Khan, recorded that EP in the attic of an old church, in a DIY studio. I hadn't released anything for a while and I really didn't think the support would be that incredible. It took until the launch gig, the evening of the release, for it to sink in really. The energy was incredible and seeing everyone's faces at the show filled my heart up big time. It was overwhelming - definitely a lifelong memory. Who are some of your musical inspirations? India Arie, Nat King Cole and Sam Cooke. India's music has helped me through a lot of key moments in life. Nat King Cole's vocal is just so perfect and the catchiness of Sam Cooke's music always makes you want to sing along. I really hope my music can connect the way these three artists do. How do you prepare for a show? Normally I will plan out the set at home, set up all of my looping equipment, amp and microphones and then flirt dangerously close to getting an ASBO by running the set start to finish for thirty minutes in my dining room. I try to put together a general structure for all of the shows, plan my interactions and introductions (I chat way too long if I don't), but you have to feel it in the moment too and be ready to make changes on the fly... but a plan helps! Is there any item/s you always take on the road with you, good luck charms perhaps? Yes. Before my grandma died (the one that made me sing on the table) she used to have a framed poster of a prayer on the wall in the room I stayed in, but as an adult I couldn't remember what it was called. At eighteen I was working at a sci-fi cult theme bar in Leeds (best job ever!) and I was talking to a regular there, Ben. We had a proper, unexpectedly deep chat and I mentioned to him about my music, my Grandma and staying in that house. The next day at work my boss handed over an envelope someone had left for me, inside was a wallet sized version of that prayer I'd mentioned and a note that said "sorry I couldn't get a poster sized one!" - it was an  19