Tag: robert schwartzman

Indie Musicians Who Lost a Parent at a Young Age (And Later Wrote About It)

April 1, 2016 /

Here are 4 indie musicians who lost a parent at a young age and later incorporated the experience into their music.

1. Soko

Soko’s dad died suddenly of an aneurysm when she was 5 years old.

“We Might Be Dead By Tomorrow” — “I can tell that you didn’t have to face your mother losing her lover / without saying goodbye / because she didn’t have time.”

“Ocean Of Tears” — “God has a plan to kill us all / And every day I wake up from a crazy dream where I’m looking for my Daddy and I know he’s here…And I’m too aware of mortality…I am haunted now.”

2. Carolyn Berk of Lovers

When Carolyn was 15 years old, her mom died of cancer.

“Take Good Care” — “You said the best thing I could do for you / Is to take good care of myself / And you became a ghost before you wanted / And my heart is the home you’ve haunted / And every time I hear the sirens sing / I feel footsteps inside of me / Like your heart beating, like my heart beating.”

“Seven Years” — “These scars of mine are more than skin deep / And there are ghosts in the air I breathe / And these ghosts will haunt your dreams / They’ll taunt you in your sleep / Saying, ‘Oh, we know about the love you lost and need’… My darling, you’re only fifteen, but in seven years you will see.”

“Tiger Square” — “My mother said to keep away from there / from Tiger Square / But she’s been gone now for so long, so long.”

3. Robert Schwartzman of Rooney

When Robert was 11 years old, his dad died of cancer.

“Go On” — “I remember when we held each other while the world changed / I was 11, you were 13, we never seemed to act our own age / How could we know in a heartbeat things would never be the same?”

“Holdin’ On” — “I was young, I’d seen it all / A cemetery in the middle of a super mall / I went to school, I never learned / How it feels, how everything you love can burn…I don’t know what I’ve lost / And I don’t know how to get it back”

4. Molly Rankin of Alvvays

When Molly was 12, her dad (John Morris Rankin of The Rankin Family) died in a winter car accident in Canada when his car skidded off the icy road and into the Gulf of St. Lawrence.

“Next Of Kin”: “No color to his skin / Inform the next of kin…I left my love in the river / The only one I see / I lost his hand in the current.”

Music In Film: Palo Alto

May 15, 2014 /

Have you seen the movie Palo Alto yet? Scored by Robert Schwartzman and Dev Hynes, Palo Alto features a digitally laden soundscape of tracks that borrow influences from trip hop, downtempo, house, lounge, and indie rock.

Palo Alto Music In Film

Words by After The Show’s Music In Film Editor Ara Hartoonian:

Gia Coppola’s debut feature perfectly pairs its coming-of-age insights with a score that is indicative of a generation growing up in tech-dependent fast times. In fact, the film features main characters consuming entertainment through video games, movies, and smartphones at key points throughout the story’s variegated telling. One of the film’s most touching moments is the delivery of a favorable text message from April, played by Emma Roberts, to Teddy, played by Jack Kilmer in his first feature film starring performance. Neither can quite put together the words to describe their affection for one another, but a simple tap of the ‘Send’ button becomes as revealing as a first kiss.

The film features a digitally laden soundscape; it at times reminds one of being inside an arcade. The music often ramps up as we stick close to the questionable decisions being made. Dev Hynes, aka Blood Orange, employs a near video game-like pulsing progression with each synth-laden track that rides alongside the unpredictable mindsets of the growing Generation Y onscreen crowd. The tracks borrow influences from trip hop, downtempo, house, lounge, and indie rock. The film’s quieter reflective moments feature ambient influences and remind one of Brian Eno or Moby’s early work.

This is not to say, however, that every event experienced alongside these late teens is passive. Rather, the music serves to inform the audience of the emotions running through these characters. These kids are participating in questionable acts, but it is because their innocence is clashing with inexperience. They exhibit facades while harboring fears, doubts, and superstitions. We’re simultaneously repulsed and rooting for them along with these plush electronic compositions.

Check out the Palo Alto soundtrack.

The Jim Ivins Band @ Webster

November 19, 2012 /

I got to the Studio @ Webster Hall early on Friday to catch The Jim Ivins Band open for Rooney’s Robert Schwartzman.

The band started strong with “Run” — very catchy chorus. Most of their songs sound like late 90s/early 2000s power pop.

The sound was good and full, but 5 people made the stage too crowded. I think they would’ve been tighter with 3 or 4 band members, ditching the extraneous Korg keyboard.

I’d be interested in hearing some of these songs stripped down/acoustic.

“Rollercoaster” was a highlight, and they ended their set with “Everything We Wanted.”

The Jim Ivins Band: Facebook + Twitter

Interview: Robert Schwartzman

May 19, 2010 /

After The Show is thrilled to present our first exclusive interview…with Rooney frontman Robert Schwartzman.

Robert Schwartzman After The Show Interview

After The Show: What’s your favorite lyric from the new album Eureka?

Robert Schwartzman: “It’s the same old story, the same old movie, but when you’re with me it’s a masterpiece.”  It’s from the song Only Friend.

How did the band choose “I Don’t Wanna Lose You” as the first song to share with the world?

It was the first song we recorded for the album and it’s the one we tried with a few different producers.  It has our sound and has something new…represents the album in a good way.

What is the hardest part about transitioning from a 5 piece to a 4 piece band?

Well, we tried the 4 piece setup for a few rehearsals, but it didn’t feel right.  I like playing guitar in Rooney and it’s been my thing for the last 8 years in the band.  We have a bass player with us…names Brandon Quinn…awesome guy and terrific musician.  It’s great to have a new energy in the mix.

Matt [Rooney’s former bassist] called Eureka the “best record we ever made” in his farewell note. Assuming you agree, what makes Eureka even better than your previous albums?

It has the strongest songs and it sounds the best.  It’s a good representation of who we are and what we’re made of.  The playing is really good from everyone and it just feels the closest to home.  We made it on our own, produced and engineered, which wasn’t the easiest thing for us, so it feels like a big accomplishment.

How have the songwriting duties been shared among the band on previous albums, and how were they shared while writing Eureka?

I’ve written everything for the band so far.  Eureka has two songs that I didn’t write…Into The Blue, by Louie Stephens and The Hunch by Ned Brower and Taylor Locke. We started Rooney with my songs and it’s just been our thing…shaped our sound. The other guys are working more on writing and wanting to contribute, so this was their first chance to put music on a Rooney album.

What is your song “Suckceed” about?

It’s about some of the characters at our old label.  Some of the things I witnessed or felt while working with them.  How people pass the blame and how people do whatever it takes to make it…keep your job.

What do you see as the role of collaboration in Rooney’s future? What about collaborating with other artists (Ben Lee, Jonas Brothers) in your own SoloBob music?

I like collaborating and I’m loving the more and more I do it.  Perhaps there will be some other artists featured on Solobob. As long as it makes sense for the music.

+Rooney’s new album Eureka comes out June 8, 2010. For tour dates, click here.

Rooney Tour Dates Announced

April 28, 2010 /

Rooney has announced their summer tour – 70 shows in two and a half months.

Rooney are touring with the Young Veins and Hanson! For a full list of dates, click here.

Also, look out for an exclusive After The Show interview with Rooney’s Robert Schwartzman coming up in the next few days.

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