Music Q&A with The Robot's Guide To Living
Photo courtesy of The Robot's Guide To Living
Utah’s rockers, The Robot's Guide To Living, released their latest single “Goodbye, Goodnight” last month! If you’re a fan of Alkaline Trio, you may hear a bits and pieces of the band in the song. In this Q&A, the guys in The Robot’s Guide To Living talked about their latest single, what musician they would interview if they could, who they’d like to see in concert that they haven’t seen yet, and more!
A couple of months ago, you guys released “Cure Me”. This is the first single with the new lineup. How did the pandemic change the writing/recording process for the band, if it did at all?
Keith: For me personally, the writing process was very similar to how it was in the past. Generally, I will come up with the main structure for a song and everyone else will add their own ideas into it, fleshing it out into something that represents all of us.
Chad: The pandemic changed a lot of people's perception of the everyday “normal”, and I feel that made us see inspiration in places we may not have noticed before. The recording of the new album is so much fun because we are willing to try different compositions and instrumentation.
Your newest song, “Goodbye, Goodnight” is awesome, lyrically and musically. Definitely hear some Alkaline Trio in there. It sounds like a song that a lot of people would be able to relate to. What does this song mean to you?
Keith: When I wrote the music for that one I was binging on Alkaline Trio, so it definitely came through. When Brian wrote the lyrics and vocal melody, we decided that if we're going to pay tribute to Alkaline Trio we might as well go all in. The song is very personal for us in that it was written about the loss of two of our friends.
Brian: This song is a way to help me cope with the loss of 2 of my dearest friends. I lost one to suicide and the other to an accidental drug overdose. They were and still are big parts of my life. It was a hard song for me to write. I like to think this is my love letter to both of them. It's a way to help me say goodbye to them. Alkaline trio definitely inspired this song for me. The dark Imagery in Matt Skiba's lyrics helped me to express what I am feeling and where my head is at trying to process this loss. I am forever indebted to the Trio.
Chad: Glad you like it! To me, this song is about the experience of loss, and the need to keep going despite how much it hurts or how unfair we think the situation is. Everyone is going to go through sorrow and grief at some point and, to me, this song is remembering those we loved, moving on to honor their memory.
When was the first time you fell in love with music?
Keith: As far back as I can remember, I've always had a love for music. I remember seeing the Phantom of the Opera live when I was around 7 and when I went home I immediately tried to learn the main theme on a cheap toy keyboard. The first time I ever had chills listening to music was the first time I heard "For Me This is Heaven" By Jimmy Eat World.
Brian: The first time listening to Lagwagon and their album, Duh. It totally changed my perspective on music. At the time, I was only listening to rap music. Joey's lyrics and the amazing musical accompaniment blew my mind. It opened up the door for me to find so many other bands and artists.
Chad: My mother has the most beautiful voice, and I can remember loving the sound of her singing since I was born.
Atticus: Guitar Hero really got me into music. I've played it since I was 3, and the first time I actually was able to listen to the songs outside of the game got me to really love listening to many different kinds of songs.
What has been your favorite city to play in?
Keith: My favorite place we played was in Spanish Fork, UT. Somehow we were put on as the headliners and by the last song of our set the majority of the crowd was up on stage with us. I gave someone my pick to have them strum the guitar for part of the song. It was a good time.
Brian: Most of our shows have been in Utah. Sadly, we haven't gotten out of the state much. We plan on changing that very soon. But playing in St. George is always fun.
If you had a chance to interview any of your musical heroes, who would it be and why?
Keith: Jim Adkins from Jimmy Eat World. His writing style and guitar playing have been very influential on me. I'd love to pick his brain about how he comes up with some of it.
Brian: That's a tough one for me. There are so many musical artists that have helped shape me. We have Joey Cape, Matt Skiba, Jim Adkins, Greg Graffin, Adam Lazzara and so many more. I would love to pick their brains about music and life in general.
Chad: Edward Van Halen. The guy is the GOAT! He not only changed the way people play the guitar, but the way the instrument is built and recorded. So sorry he passed last year.
Atticus: Mike Portnoy from Dream Theater, I'd love to know how he came up with some of the beats and fills in the songs he wrote.
What is one artist or band that you haven’t seen in concert, that you hope to see someday?
Keith: The first band that comes to mind is My Chemical Romance. I've been a fan of theirs since their first album was released when I was in high school but I never got around to going to one of their shows.
Brian: I would love to see Beach Bunny in concert. I recently just discovered their music and I am thoroughly enjoying it. I love digging into an artist's discography. There is so much to unpack. It is such an awesome time doing so.
Chad: I’ve been dying to see John 5, or Nita Strauss. They’re probably some of the best in the game right now. Just mesmerizing players.
Atticus: Definitely System of a Down. I feel like going to one of their concerts would be a blast with some of their songs.
What’s your favorite thing about making music?
Keith: Playing live. After spending however long writing and recording, then rewriting and re-recording, it's so rewarding to get into the practice space and jam out the new song and have everything come together, then to get to play it live in front of people. It's always such a rush.
Brian: I love the idea that maybe something we've written can help someone relax or help them have a great time. The thought of making someone smile or helping someone when they're feeling down is such a powerful thing.
Chad: Music lives in everything. Whether it’s a grand piano, a guitar or your mom's pots and pans. You can literally take an inanimate object and make it sing.
Atticus: I have to agree with my dad on this one, I really do love playing the songs we make live. It's so fun to have an audience really get into the music.
How do you stay positive? What helps you?
Keith: I focus on my family and friends. And Star Wars.
Brian: Surrounding myself with my amazing friends and family, and of course music! I am so fortunate to have such an amazing support system in my life that when things get rough, I have people who are there to help me navigate through life.
Chad: My small group of amazing friends and family keep me sane and grounded in reality. I’ve been truly blessed. That and obscene amounts of caffeine and nicotine.
Atticus: Friends and video games. And music, of course.
Any last words or final message for the readers?
Keith: We hope you enjoy the music we create, and thanks for reading!
Brian: Thanks for taking the time to read this and for giving our music a listen. If you are enjoying it, thank you so much. If it's not your cup of tea, that is okay too. Luckily there is plenty of amazing music out there to listen to.
Chad: Do what you love to do and share the experience. Excitement and joy spreads faster than anything and I hope people can share that experience in our music.