The Promises: Music

The Promises  

The Promises are a Melbourne-based group. One half of the band, Toby Robinson, took the time to answer our ArtsHub Career Profile. Check out his answers below.

What did you want to be when you grew up?
Slash, the guitarist of Guns ‘n’ Roses, a barrister and a chef

What did you become?
The Guitarist of “the Promises’…and a learning support worker

How would you describe your music to a complete stranger?
Its Honest Australian country folk that has a soul element, Paul Kelly meets the cure and goes dancing with James Brown and Tony Joe - White

What's your background - are there studies that prepare you for this?
Each member of the group is very experienced and has either studied at Uni or had vest experience on the road, I feel very privileged to play with The Promises

Tell us about a song or artist that has been influential in your career (and probably no one’s really heard much about)
I’ve always been inspired by music written on emotion or inspired by nature. Ry Cooder and VH Bhatt’s Isa Lei, is truly is a beautiful piece of music it covers all these aspects. Its artists like these that help you to keep going, it reminds you that music isn’t a race or a business, but a creative expression from your experiences however painful or joyess they are.

What's the first thing career related you usually do each day?
I practice my guitar and banjo, and then network and book gigs on line every day before work (9am).

What's the one thing - piece of equipment, toy, security-blanket – that you can't work without?
It’s the other songwriters in the group Sam, Rob and Adam.

What gets you fired up?
Life, the sunrise, friends

Who in the industry most inspires you?
I’d have to say it’s people who have made music their life’s work, and don’t give up. Eric Clapton, Ravi Shankar, Ry Cooder, and all the guys that play in trad session around town in Irish bars on the weekends

What in the industry do you despair about?
Ray bans and Floral dresses!

What is the best thing about your job?
I get to help people, and in music I get to express myself

What’s the worst?
I’d say having the door slammed on your face by industry folk!

What song do you wish you had written?
The Pretender by Jackson Brown

What are the top three skills you need in this industry?
Patience
Determination
Passion

What advice would you give a young muso looking to break into the field?
Just be true to yourself and enjoy the process

When do you know you’ve made it?
Well I played a show in western NSW on a tour over the summer and the next day after the show an old couple came up to me and said “you know, my dear old dad used to play the banjo, we’d sit up and listen o him play night after night. When you started playing that banjo last night, we teared up didn’t we darl? Yes we did”
I think to me that was the most profound moment I’ve had, to me that’s making it!

The Promises will next be playing on the 25th of March at The Retreat Hotel, Brunswick.