Breaking up with Joe Dempsie (43 times!)

The week Rob Green EP went on pre-order, Dean Jackson playlisted the first single Blue on BBC Introducing and your EP pre-orders made it break into the iTunes Top 20 Bestselling Pre-orders Chart (Thank you!!). In response to the incredible support for this song I really wanted to make a video. But with no treatment written and almost no time; it was definitely going to be a challenge to make it a reality. 

A day later, sat in Broadway with Matt and Mark Daunt (the dynamic duo behind Lace Market Media), I pitched the treatment idea I had come up with the night before and from that point we ran with it. It was to be shot in my house, it was to be done in one continuous shot and it was easily going to be the most technically challenging video we have ever made together. Oh, and it all had to be done within the fortnight deadline. We were excited.

I first met Joe Dempsie when we were both at Nottingham Television Workshop, and although we have never acted together before (though he did have a 'proud' cameo in my first video; Cardinal) he has always been incredibly supportive of my music. I called him to run the treatment by him and true to form, and despite being crazy busy filming other stuff, he was in! Joe is an incredible actor and with Ben Welch, Lucy Manning and Greg Lonsdale jumping on board to action the behind the scenes work; I was confident, whatever the outcome, we were all in a for a wicked time.

It was all hands on deck from 8am last Saturday. Mark, Greg, Lucy and Ben learned how to practically gut my house within 40 seconds, whilst Joe, myself and Matt rehearsed and re-rehearsed the *VERY* acrobatic break-up/camera routine. It took 43 takes, six hours of shooting and a LOT of stamina! The fact that it has come off the way it has is a testament to the integrity and drive of everyone involved. I'm so honoured to have worked with them on this and I cannot wait for you to see it TOMORROW AT 5PM!! (Friday 15th) 

Big Love

Rob xx

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MY EP IS FINISHED!

 "The only thing holding you back is the thought that something is holding you back" (Ralph Marston)

Today I was handed the final master of an EP that I never thought would be made. 

For the last twenty-one weeks I have been pushing myself to the LIMIT! Musically directing Sheep Shoup's latest research and development week, running songwriting sessions around the country, performing and gigging, working a part time job and finding any time (and money) I could to get up to Bradford to work in a DIY studio built in the attic space of a converted church building to make this work (Shout out to the incredible Brathay Trust for that one!).

It is impossible to recount all of the highs, lows and trials of this process. Working with two artists who I dearly love, Christella Litras and Jonnie Khan; we assembled recording equipment, set up heaters (!!!) and began working on what I can honestly say is my most personal recording project to date. 

I have never been so overwhelmed as the moment I heard it mastered (by the wonderful Tom 'T's Myth' Smith). We all worked right up until the last second and in truth it has inspired me to create so much more. I cannot wait to tour this work and see how it is received, after developing it so privately.  

This process has taught me so much but mostly is qualifies the Ralph Marston quote that inspired this whole project.

To Jonnie and Stella. Who invested their talent, expertise and (most valuable) their time into this project; it cannot be overstated what you have done for me. You made a dream a reality. You are both miraculous. 

Thank you; to everyone who has supported me throughout this process, to all the people who have heard this work through it's development and all of the people who have been tweeting/Instagramming your support! I really don't know how I would have achieved this without all of you!

BIG, BIG, BIIIG LOVE

Rob x

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How to "come out of nowhere" on the Notts music scene

My first mini-gig of the year was at the launch of the 2016 Nottingham Young Creative Awards. This is a series of awards that are given to creative people from Nottingham between the ages of 13-24, for outstanding achievement within their creative field.

I won the YCA for Music in 2012 which had a truly big impact on me. At that time I was only just starting to gig on the Notts music scene and with the release of Parlour Tricks imminent, Outlaw advised me to enter for the award. Being unknown made me nervous about entering, but as the leaders in Nottingham creative enterprises were (and still are) on the panel; it was going to be a great way to get them to hear what I was doing.

I still feel the nerves when I think about the moment just before my name was called out. Along with prize money I won a recording session to make a live EP with Tom 'T'sMyth' Smith; then a Confetti student. We got on straight away and since I have worked with Tom every year on one project or another (he's currently mastering my new EP; out early this year!) Dean Jackson attended the awards and invited me to perform on his BBC Introducing show. After trying to connect with someone at DHP to play Splendour, head of DHP; George Akin, welcomed me for a meeting and within six months I had gone from being virtually unknown in my hometown, to performing at Splendour and being track of the week on BBC 1 Xtra.

My point is, the Notts YCA awards gave me a network. It helped me link with people who I otherwise would have struggled to contact. If you're a Notts creative, seriously; just enter (and even if YOU aren't; pass this on to someone you know who is!) - it can be a game changer! It's awesome to see these awards continue and to be invited back to launch their 7th year is a real honour!

Big love to Notts YCA's! What a wicked start to the year!

Rob x

If you are a young Notts creative; in music, art, film-making, fashion... Practically anything! Go here to apply!

The night religion didn't matter

Last night went OFF at Kensington Temple! The event aimed to fundraise for Naomi Childrens Fund, a charity that supports children and young people at risk both nationally and internationally.

This was the first time I had been to a non-denominational temple; a place where all faiths and religions are welcome. The ENERGY of the audience combined with the talent and diversity of the evening's acts set such an incredible vibe. The crowd was made up of members of the christian, islamic, buddhist, jewish and other faith systems; all together to support a mutual concern, the welfare of young people. 

It was incredibly heartwarming. The ENTIRE room joyfully sang with me through my set, gave the awesome Nina Ferro a standing ovation (rightfully so!) and danced their hearts out to Fabio D'andrea's spectacular rendition of Mary Mary's 'Shackles' with his Kensington Temple based Gospel choir.

At a time where attitude towards and between faith systems can often lean toward hostility, together we stood for being together. Even as someone who doesn't prescribe to a specific religion, I still felt so welcome; it was a thing of beauty. 

Shout out to everyone who came last night, who watched the Periscope stream and helped create such a special night.

BIG LOVE

Rob

If you are interested in finding out more about the work of Naomi Children's Fund, or wish to donate - click here