Georgia-based solo artist Robbie Rapids offers up an engaging sound that toes the line between rock, folk rock and psychedelic rock and he describes as “honest storytelling.”
Robbie grew up in Grand Rapids, Michigan – hence the name – and has been through cover bands and tribute acts before returning to writing original music as what he summarises as a “Generation X rocker.” And on the sound he’s crafted, Robbie told us: “It’s all about the song, what the song tells me to do. It could be adult-oriented rock, folk rock, psychedelic rock, etc… but it will tell a story. Most of which are personal and true. If you don’t know what the song is about, then I’ve failed as a songwriter. So I seek to deliver clear stories.”
The latest offering of this is very much on the rockier end of Robbie’s sound, the new single Bad Habit, which was released last week. It opens up with a funky little guitar lick imitating the tune of the chorus that quickly kicks in. A wah-infused guitar separates vocals through the verse, which builds up to a slightly different version of the chorus, which returns to be followed by a cool guitar solo.
On the track, Robbie told us: “I wanted an energetic sound with fierce electric guitars. I brought it to my friend David Levene who’s a killer guitarist. He played the lead guitar and mixed in the style of 80s glam rock like Quiet Riot, Bon Jovi and Judas Priest. People who like that kind of music love the song and it has some modern elements to it also.”
The Robbie Rapids sound is influenced by a wide range of music styles and musicians. As Robbie explains: “My first CDs like Poison, Alice In Chains, Warrant, Nirvana, and Metallica got me hooked on guitar playing and writing songs. Then in cover bands, I learned hundreds of pop rock songs and classics, and appreciated them all. I guess it depends upon instrumentation and available musicians. I can’t do it all by myself and I have a couple of songwriters I work with, which I love. So yeah, those influences come out in one way or another.”
And on what inspires him to write music, Robbie adds: “Lots of songs about failed relationships, Bad Habit falls under my saga that includes Dream Away, Jasmine Girl, Never Fall and In Our House. Rock Ain’t Dead is about my love and perception of the music industry, and Who Shot Them Down is a true story murder mystery.”
Robbie’s goal is to finish his second album in 2025. He’s working with some great musicians with whom he has plenty of new songs in the pipeline. And he added: “It’s an addiction and love of writing music. I thought I’d just get the songs out of my head that were not recorded yet and I’d be able to rest. Nope! I keep writing new ones out of nowhere and friends are bringing me songs to collaborate on.”
You can follow Robbie Rapids on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter, and check out his music on Spotify, Apple Music and YouTube.
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