Robin Fresco Stays True To Self & Is Dropping New Album “Still Inside”

Intro:

Robin Fresco is an artist from Eastern PA who is making authentic music with real human qualities. His anticipated second album “Still Inside” is releasing soon on October 16th & is sure to deliver quality listening experiences. If you like artists such as Mac Miller, Derek Pope, and Mac Demarco, then you should definitely check out more of Robin’s work ahead of the new release. He’s always working on his craft & evolving his sound over time with great success. Before reading our full conversation & learning more about Robin below, you should follow him today @robinfresco online.

Meet: Robin Fresco

Me: What originally got you into making music when you first started?

Robin: When I was a kid, my brother would show me music he was into (a lot of metal and underground hip-hop), but one artist in particular stood out: Eyedea. He was an underground rapper from Minnesota and unfortunately, by the time I heard of him, he had died of an overdose.

His music was more poetic and up to interpretation, which at the time, I was writing poetry. Eyedea's art showed me that rap/hip-hop wasn't just 808s and hi-hats, but could be simplistic, experimental, and vulnerable (I clearly didn't know much about the origins of hip-hop at that time). The inspiration from Eyedea, coupled with my desire to bond with my brother, pushed me not just to write poetry, but to start rapping over instrumentals.

Wonderful story! From there, how did you develop your unique stage name?

"Robin Fresco" originates from a college nickname (the Robin half). And at the time, I picked Fresco because it was my favorite type of painting, specifically referring to the Sistine Chapel's painting by Michelangelo. Or it's just my real name. Choose your own adventure on that one.

How would you describe your style of music for new listeners reading now?

I'd say right now I am going through a transitional phase in terms of my sound, but if I had to sum it up, I'd say it's a mixture of jazzy hip-hop, mixing in pop and lo-fi elements. My sound has definitely evolved over time - When I started, I was rapping over beats that were much more aggressive and I tried to be a "fast rapper." Safe to say, I'm happy it changed.

Who are some of your favorite people to work with in the studio so far during your career?

My favorite producer to work with is Jay Fritshaffer at Pagoda City Records. He's pushed me to try out things I would've never thought to sonically, which I credit for my recent change in approach. Through his lessons on music and engineering, I stopped trying to sound like other artists and really began to develop my own lane.

My favorite artists to work with are of course my fellow Three Card Monte members, TheEarthsCrux and Quasii. Not only did we form the trio as friends, which always makes it an enjoyable hang, but they also pushed me to take more time in my writing and try to match the level of skill they bring to the table. Although we have three different styles, we each have unique elements that feed into each other's skills in a cohesive way.

If you remember, what was the first song you've ever made? I’m sure you’ve developed a lot in skill since then.

The first song I ever wrote, regrettably, was a remix of the Goofy Goober song. I was maybe 8 or 9 years old, pining over a girl I met on vacation. Unquestionably, looking back, it was the corniest thing I've done, besides my first recording.

The first recorded song I made, regrettably, was a remix to Taylor Swift's "Trouble." My friend, Max, came over to my house and recorded it on his phone while I played the instrumental off a TV. Hands-down the cringiest thing I've ever made, but in my defense, I was really into rapping over popular songs at the time, even if I didn't particularly like the original.

That’s awesome though haha! Outside of music, what are some other hobbies or talents you have that many don’t know?

I absolutely love go-karting. I got really into F1 and UFC in the past two years, but I can't fight and don't have a racecar, so I guess go-karting it is for now.

In a perfect world, what does the most ideal studio setting look like for you?

A perfect studio session is one with limited structure. I am all for planning out a schedule and I tend to be super neurotic in that aspect, but ideally, I imagine being in a house in a remote place, with loved ones and studio equipment, working from sun-up to sun-down on creating whatever comes to mind. I draw a lot of inspiration from film/TV so I would also love to pass downtime with any sort of thing that falls into that medium.

For you personally, what’s been the biggest challenge so far during your journey?

The most difficult part has been accepting my lack of fans and not letting it deter me from continuing. I used to think the hardest thing was finding my sound, but I stopped worrying about that once I realized I already had it in me - it was just about bringing it out. It's easy to get discouraged when you put so much effort into a project just to get three or four plays.

From a business perspective, it's difficult to do any market research when your testing pool is only four subjects, but over time I stopped caring about the numbers and put my energy into making a product I can be proud of. I still struggle with the reception (or lack thereof), but ultimately, I tend to not let the ego get in the way and remind myself of why I began making music in the first place: Expression.

Is there any advice you would give to someone else considering getting into music?

My biggest piece of advice would be to listen to what speaks to you. It's great to find an artist that will inspire you, but there's a fine line between imitation and inspiration. A lot of my time was spent trying to imitate artists I liked rather than nurturing my own sound. Sometimes it is a good jumping-off point but be sure that you're giving yourself the same time to strengthen your own weaknesses and find what works for you.

Also don't pay too much attention to the numbers. It will probably suck at first, it always does, but it can be even more discouraging when you focus too much on the reception instead of the process. Find your sound, the fans will come. The current generation emphasizes a lot on the "all it takes is one hit" moment, but if that were true, we'd all be buying Baja Men CDs. Be patient and take your time. It's a marathon.

Love that example you gave in regards to longevity! With that being said, what’s next for you this year?

I have my second studio album "Still Inside" coming out on October 16th. This one is very different than the first album, which I personally see as a plus.

I am also going to be working with Jay on a full-length project that will be a different genre entirely. It may surprise you, but it will definitely test my own abilities and allow me to grow as an artist.

Of course, an imminent Three Card Monte is coming down the way, but right now we've all been focused on solo works, although TheEarthsCrux and I have a concept album we've had written for two years. I'm especially excited for that because it's experimental and has a whole storyline to it.

Nice! Finally, do you have any final words or other things you’d like to share with our audience?

Keep subscribing to my Bandcamp! I'm looking to send people that way rather than the traditional streaming route because I will be putting a lot of bonus subscriber-only perks on there. Plus, it allows me to continue making music I (and hopefully you) love.