Robert Gomez Interview: SXSW 2010

Robert Gomez is an in-demand sideman, and a talented composer. His latest solo offering, 'Pine Sticks and Phosphorus,' highlights his musical prowess and ability to weave melody and harmony into ethereal orchestrated pop jams that neatly transport the listener to an otherworldly plane. Three weeks into a European tour backing up singer Sarah Jaffe in support of Texas based band Midlake, Spinner caught up with Gomez, as he was taking advantage of the free laundry facilities at the Bristol University's Student Union Building, to chat about his imminent SXSW appearance, old-school hip hop, and his love for whiskey and vermouth.

Describe your sound in your own words.

I'm going for this sixties sound, but not a psychedelic thing. A lot of the music I listen to is from 20 years ago and that informs the direction of the music. I won't say it is throwback, but it definitely takes from there.

What are your musical influences?

These days I'm listening to a lot of Serge Gainsbourg, but I love the new Charlotte Gainsbourg album -- I like to keep it all in the family. I really got into Deerhoof for a while, and of course, I've been listening to Midlake, because it's what I hear every day.

What is your biggest vice?

I have so many of them. I like to have a Manhattan here and there. Both the city and the drink get me pretty f---ed up.

What's in your SXSW Survival Kit?

One SXSW I completely lost my voice. The night before, I was screaming at the top of my lungs to some friends at a bar without even realizing it. The next afternoon, I had to play, but I had no voice. This year I'll pack Vitamin C, some Throat Coat tea from a health food store, my phone, the number of a local cab company, and a crisp twenty dollar bill. I travel pretty light.

Who was your first celebrity crush?

Alyssa Milano

What's your musical guilty pleasure?

I like old-school ridiculous hip-hop like the Fat Boys, because the subject matter is so not hardcore it's really funny to me

Beatles or Stones?

If I had to choose, it would be the Beatles. I just think they wrote better songs.

What's the craziest thing you've seen or experienced while on tour?

Probably waking up, or coming to, soaking wet wearing only my socks and underwear outside of the bus standing in someone else's vomit. That's all I'm going to say.

Where Manhattans to blame?

I will confirm that whiskey was involved.