Today we’d like to introduce you to Robert Stewart.
Hi Robert, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I’ve been playing music all my life, and I knew from a very young age it’s what I wanted to do. Whatever instrument I’d pick up, my immediate instinct was to come up with something of my own, so writing was there from the get go as well. Played in some really fun bands, played at church, played anywhere really.
This project, Loyal Yokefellow, was really a way for me to explore whatever kind of music I wanted and wherever a song would take me. I love learning, so each song was a challenge in some way where I soaked in kind of the essence of a certain genre or feel to where it would feel authentic, and then take it in a slightly different direction in terms of orchestration or composition. It also is made up of songs that are all directly related to my own experiences and what having gone through them has taught me in some way.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
In the course of working on this album, I’ve had several life shifts and experiences. One notable is that the studio I was working in at one point got demolished with all of my gear inside. A wrecking crew just came in and tore down the walls and had little regard for all my stuff. Thankfully, I was able to make it there in time to retrieve most of my stuff before it got trashed, but I also had my main recording equipment stolen and had to wait weeks before it was found at the construction crew’s warehouse.
Other than that, I wouldn’t classify it as struggle necessarily, but I’ve just gone through a lot of different iterations of these songs and different recording approaches over the years due to technical issues and things like that. Problems with like the piano being out of tune with all the other instruments, difficulty of performing and recording by yourself, But, through all of that, I’ve learned so much and really developed my craft, which feels great. I know how to solve problems quickly and am able to go pretty much right away to where I want to go.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I am a musician, songwriter, composer, audio engineer, and producer. So this project, along with the few others I worked on for other people, has been an ongoing process of honing in each of those skill sets. Like I said, I enjoy learning and challenging myself creatively so being able to develop those skills has been a great joy.
My approach music wise is always focused on interesting arrangements, including strings and countermelodies and vocal harmonies to make the music as dynamic as possible, there’s always something new or interesting you can pick out upon repeated listens.
What sets me apart is probably the incorporation of a wide range of styles. I always heard genres as more moods to explore versus rigid structures, so I like to borrow from any I’m currently feeling or obsessed with.
Can you talk to us about how you think about risk?
I think there’s a level of risk-taking any time you perform or release something creative. There’s that risk of judgment from other people. That doesn’t really bother me. I just hope there are people out there who can resonate with either the lyrics or the or enjoy the compositions or be inspired by the song.
I think there is a risk in me choosing to explore different styles. It’s not a huge risk, but I think as a listener, it opens you up to that simple question of well do I like this or not. Especially if it’s something you haven’t really listened to before. My hope is that it could expand your taste in some way and spark an appreciation for the diversity of music. Because it’s really not all that different.
When the stakes involved have to do with you expanding your knowledge or appreciation for something, the reward is worth that risk of feeling unfamiliar or uncomfortable. Sometimes that can feel much more daunting than it actually is, so maybe there is something more valuable there – in listening and appreciating new things, you find the ability to step beyond that fear of being unfamiliar in other areas of life.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/loyalyokefellow/
- Facebook: https://Facebook.com/loyalyokefellowmusic
- Youtube: https://YouTube.com/@loyalyokefellow
