My Music: Interview with Robin Ross
In this candid and wide‑ranging episode of My Music, host Graham Coath sits down with singer‑songwriter and producer Robin Ross to talk about his latest project with The Howers and their vintage‑sounding EP Back to the Forest.
Recorded in Ross’s own Baba Leaf Studio—an analogue-focused retreat in the Poconos—the conversation covers:
The story behind The Howers: how late‑night songwriting sessions in the woods with collaborator Tim Howell (and the occasional coyote) inspired both the band’s name and their harmonically rich, retro blues sound.
From gambling win to guitar obsession: Ross recounts the teenage bet that landed him his first guitar, leading to a lifelong passion for instruments with “mojo” and the souls of previous players.
Building studios and careers: from Bleecker Street gigs with Laughing Jack/Jack’s Maze and four‑track recordings to audio engineering school, multiple home studios and his current SSL‑equipped setup.
Life beyond music: Ross’s detour into novel‑writing and energy‑efficiency engineering, and how those experiences ultimately pulled him back into music in 2021.
Analog vs. AI: why he avoids over‑compression, embraces analog gear and believes that algorithms can’t replicate the human “vibe” in music.
Releasing imperfect art: the freedom of putting out B‑sides, accepting honest criticism and connecting with listeners from Russia to the Scilly Isles via digital platforms.
Ross also shares his hopes of bringing The Howers to stages in Norway and beyond, swapping stories with Coath about treasured guitars and the magic of songcrafting in nature. If you love behind‑the‑scenes studio talk, reflections on musical authenticity and the journey of a lifelong musician, this episode is for you.
