Artist Profile: Rob Drabkin

By: Dr. Matt Warnock

There was a time when singer-songwriters would flock to Greenwich Village, or head on out to the sunny shores of California to cut their teeth and ply their trade. But in recent years this trend seems to have changed, with many artists preferring to make their base of operations in the fly-over States, instead of just looking at them as they move from coast to coast. One of these new breeding grounds for talented singer-songwriters is Colorado, as the State has become known for fostering an environment where artists of all backgrounds and tastes can grow and excel.

Rob Drabkin is just such an artist. His fresh take on songwriting, not to mention his guitar chops, have landed him some big gigs in recent years, including playing at Red Rock and The Mile High Festival, as well as being named Colorado Singer-Songwriter of the year in both 2008 and 2009 by Westwood magazine. While the life of a troubadour wasn’t always the plan for Drabkin, he went to college to study Biochemistry, he quickly realized that his heart wasn’t into it and that his real dream was to tour and record his own music, a dream that he has been able to realize much to the joy of his ever-growing fan base.

In our latest Artist Profile series we’d like to introduce you to a very talented singer-songwriter who, though already accomplished, seems to be just hitting his stride in the industry. Ladies and Gentlemen, meet Rob Drabkin.

Rob Drabkin

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Matt Warnock: Who were some of your early influences?

Rob Drabkin: I think the first time music really struck me hard was when Metallica’s song “One” came on the background of MTV report on the Rodney King riots. I was about 8 or 9 years old at the time. I fell in love with the hook of the song, [Sings] “oh please god wake me.” I went and bought the CD and couldn’t stop listening to it.

My parents were a bit worried as their music was a tad on the dark side, but it inspired me to get an electric guitar and learn as many Metallica songs as I could from a local rock teacher. My world took a big change when I chose to enter the jazz ensemble in middle school as the rhythm guitarist. I hated the music at first as it was such a change, and I wasn’t a fan of saxophones or horns at all.

I was just a rebellious teenager, but eventually it came together with the ensemble and the teacher even gave me a solo in the recital. That started a huge love and appreciation for jazz and I kept my love for rock going as well.

Matt: You were recently able to play a concert at Red Rocks, how did that come about and what was that like?

Rob: That is one crazy place. I’ve had three chances to play at Red Rocks. The first time I was asked to perform a Bob Marley song, “Three Little Birds” during the “World’s Largest Guitar Lesson.” I expected to play first and have a very small beginning guitar crowd. The song was so simple I thought I could wing it by reading the chords and lyrics on stage. Instead, they chose to put me on “headlining” and I had to play the song in front of 10,000 people. [Laughs]

I was frantically practicing Bob Marley back stage. Oi. It gave me a good lesson on the importance of muscle memory in situations like that. Somehow I pulled it off. But I had panic attacks the whole night.

The highlight was when I got a phone call from Erik Dyce, the owner of the ampitheatre, a year later and he asked me to perform a 30 minute set of my own music. The first two songs were again terrifying, then I eased into it and it will remain one of the more memorable performances of my career. Truly an honor.

Rob Drabkin Photo Credit: Todd Roeth

Matt: You’re based out of Denver, rather than L.A., NY or Nashville. What brought you to Colorado and why did you choose to make your home base there?

Rob: Well, I was born and raised here. I graduated college from Trinity University in San Antonio with a degree in biochemistry and molecular biology. I chose to pursue music just before graduation and get out of science. I knew I had practicing and work to do. Honestly I never sang a single note until I was 23 years old.

Mom and dad lived in Colorado, so I went home and spent days and nights alone in the basement practicing away trying to write a song. Once I had the courage to play out with a few originals songs, I discovered and incredibly vibrant and growing music scene.

The gigs never stopped there are so many places to play here. The musicians I’ve chosen to play with here are incredible and there is also a certain pride that comes with representing Colorado. It’s an amazing place.

Matt: You recently recorded a version of “Melissa,” what is it about this song and the Allman Brothers music that inspired you to make this recording?

Rob: I had never heard “Melissa” till a few years ago. Somehow “Jessica” was the only Allman Brother’s song I had ever played. My buddy Keith Crosson asked me to play lead on his version. Wow. Sometime there’s a progression that no matter what you play on top of it, it just somehow works. A beginning player or an advanced player can play over it and it always come across beautifully. Just a simple, but magical progression.

The variations, when it jumps to C and D, give it a bit of a musical curve ball to keep you on your toes. When I toured with Davy Knowles, who I believe is one of the best guitarists on the planet, I picked up my guitar and started playing the chords. About into the 3rd chord, Davy heard it across the room with a perked ear and we decided to cover it during my set. It was incredible experience to jam with him and invite him on stage. He brings so much soul of that era into the song and every time it turned into a great jam.

When Davy was in town touring with The Rhythm Devils, he had a few hours off to hang and record and there was no question about what we would record. It’s really a tune that bridges our styles so well.

Matt: What kind of guitars do you use and do you prefer off the shelf or custom made guitars?

Rob: [Clearing Throat] Martin Guitar, please make me a custom, so I can answer this question a bit more properly. [Laughs] I’ve only gone off the shelf for my guitars. I played a beat up Larivee D-03 for my whole life until it was stolen out of my car after my 3rd week playing out in Denver. A true tragedy I had to endure. So, it was time for a Martin.

I knew I always wanted one, but never had a budget. I just played them all until I found the right D-28 that felt right. I was able to create a new groove on the spot and do things I couldn’t do before. Three minutes later I bought it. I played it exclusively here in Colorado for almost a year and a half. Eventually I saved up enough and it was time to branch out, so I stepped it up with a Martin HD-35. It’s a power house of a guitar. Love it as my main gigging guitar.

Cursed though, a second theft tragedy occurred and 5 guitars were stolen out of my apartment while I went to get a cup of coffee down the block. The worst thing to ever happen to me. Somehow through the music network in Denver, I got 4 of them back from a pawn shop. I lost a Les Paul double cutaway, but was so grateful to have my gigging acoustics back.

I took the insurance money to the store responsible for helping me get my guitars back and I bought a Huss and Dalton DS off the shelf. This is one of the most perfected and special guitars I’ve ever picked up. It’s both balanced and powerful. It’s unbelievable and one of a kind.

Matt: Where do you go from here?

Rob: New markets and new music. About 4 or 5 months ago, it kind of hit me that I had really made a name for myself in Denver and throughout Colorado. It was a cool feeling, but I didn’t want to stay “trapped” here playing the same rooms. I need to branch out, keep on trying new tunes and new demos while keeping Colorado growing at my roots. And keep exploring.

I’m getting to the point of starting to record again and I loved the interaction that I’ve built with so many fans here. I decided to leak out demos, new songs, live recordings, rough mixes even on my email list, Twitter and Facebook. It’s cool to have that interaction and I love keeping people engaged, excited and interested in what is next.