TALKING WITH JOE ROBINSON

Born in Australia and now residing in Nashville, Joe has done his fair share of travel and performing over the years. Starting out at the age of 9, he mastered the acoustic and electric guitar and caught the attention of Australian legends Tommy and Phil Emmanuel, who have since mentored him.

Joe was included in Australian Guitar Magazines Top 50 Best Guitarists and has also recorded and released his own original music which he produced, mixed and played all the instruments for.

Robinson has spent the last few years touring and has played festivals and clubs in North America, China, Japan, Europe and Australia. In addition to touring on his own, Robinson recently hit the road with Guitar Army, which features fellow guitarist/singers/songwriters Robben Ford and Lee Roy Parnell.

I saw Joe play at Leadbelly on King Street in Newtown last year. To see him play on acoustic guitar just for a hour or so was such a small insight into the years and years of dedication to his craft. Charismatic and playful, he told stories on stage about the songs he wrote and delivered them with a humble softness. The end of the show finished when Joe invited up two other guest guitarists to duel with him. I can't remember their names however (apologies) but it was bloody good!

I was also inspired by Joe a couple of years ago when I recall seeing a post on his social media about how he had been waking up at 4am every morning, brewing coffee and playing guitar for as long as he could. If that ain't a way to start your day, I don't know what is!

Joe was really enthusiastic when I asked him to answer some questions on touring as part of his lifestyle. I think his answers are super insightful, helpful, most of all practical and are an indication of his experience so far.

What are your touring travel essentials that you can’t live without or that keep you sane on the road?

"If I'm in a hotel room with just my instrument I'm perfectly happy. I try to travel as light as possible, but I always travel with a great book and my phone, to FaceTime loved ones."

Have you ever struggled or suffered from a mental illness while on tour or off tour? Did it impact your ability to work/perform? How do you care for your mental illness now? Is there any light you could share that might help people who are struggling?

"For me coming off the road can be challenging mentally. Going from the highs of being on stage to your home routine can really take some adjusting to. I’ve experienced anxiety in the past, but it was fundamentally a result of me not fulfilling my potential. It forced me to pick up my game, so I'm grateful for it. I think many creative people have high expectations of themselves, which can be a curse, but also a blessing because it is necessary to be great. I’ve developed a passion for psychology, philosophy and the evolutionary process in which we’ve come to live in this modern world.

For people who are struggling I’d recommend first seeking help from a professional. Then I think it is crucial to audit the people you are surrounding yourself with. Data suggests we become the average of the people we surround ourselves with. Choose wisely, and be very careful who you take advice from. Reading biographies about the greatest people in history has given me confidence, and insights into the principles that are consistent with living well. It also enriches my art, which helps me feel better about myself. I would recommend avoiding alcohol, drugs, television and to develop a sustainable fitness routine, daily reading habits and some kind of spiritual/mindfulness practice."

How do you maintain your well-being on the road now, and what keeps you grounded?

"I like to lift weights, run, swim, jump rope, do push-ups, pull-ups, practice yoga, meditation and take cold showers. I function much better if I optimize my diet. I don't eat sugar, I consume probiotic foods including a bone broth supplement which is great for traveling and I don't drink alcohol. Everyone’s biochemistry is different so I think you have to figure out what works for you.

Staying grounded for me is remembering where I come from. I come from Temagog, which is a tough place. One of my favorite sayings is ‘life's too short for pissing and moaning’. When it gets challenging on the road, I try to relish it because it will mean I grow to be stronger and more capable. I like grounding my thinking in science. Studying reality is liberating. Whenever I find myself surrounded by toxic, bitter, resentful, self-victimizing, mis-informed people, I will watch videos of Charlie Munger, Elon Musk, Ray Dalio or read about Benjamin Franklin, Francis Bacon or Alexander The Great. It allows me to view the world with more of an internal locus control and re-calibrate my thinking."

When you are on the road, are you creative? Any advice for dealing with creative blocks or being productive?

"I'm always practicing and writing on the road. Over the course of a year i usually write 80-100 songs and play around 150 shows, so I’m constantly working on material. I use Evernote and have folders for songs, sorted by year. All the great creative people I’ve read about or talked to seem to work at it every day. So i try to do that. I think creative blocks come from not thinking clearly. Meditation helps me focus and be more present. I live by my calendar, and have a different color coded system for touring, recording sessions, writing collaborations etc. I love planning out my year, and I love being self employed."

What are three qualities you think every touring musician/roadie should possess?

"Punctuality. A pleasant demeanor. A strong work ethic."

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Make sure you check Joe out on his website and follow him on Instagram to catch all the latest updates!

https://www.joerobinson.com/