Location: Online
Interview date: April 1, 2009
Rok Golob is a name just about every music enthusiast in Slovenia has heard, and plenty of people beyond it too. He’s an outstanding musician and multi-instrumentalist who has tried his hand at practically every genre – rock, jazz, pop, Latin rhythms… We talked to him about his influences, his new project Firm Soundation, and a few other things.
Rockline: You come from a very musical family. How did your family shape your musical development?
Rok Golob: My dad is a brilliant composer, but from early on he gave me total freedom when it came to music. As far back as I can remember, we listened to great music at home and I had loads of instruments to play with. I used to tag along with my dad to the studios when they were recording songs and film scores, and the whole thing just got under my skin.
Rockline: How would you compare making music for films with regular studio projects?
Rok Golob: With film music, things are more planned out, and there’s a lot more teamwork involved – especially with the director. You have to think very carefully about what a particular scene is trying to say and how to best support that message. With regular studio projects there’s more freedom, more room to maneuver.
Rockline: You’ve played lots of different genres in the past. Is there one that’s closer to your heart?
Rok Golob: Honestly, I like playing any music that feels good, and it’d be hard to pin myself down to a single style. As a guitarist I enjoyed playing rock the most, as a keyboardist I’m at home in fusion and pop, and as a drummer I enjoy everything anyway. No, really, it’d be hard to choose.
Rockline: You’re also known as a multi-instrumentalist, so a similar question. Do you have an instrument you like more than the others?
Rok Golob: Like I said, right now it’s the drums.
Rockline: How has living in the U.S. influenced you, and how does it still?
Rok Golob: Mostly, living here and there gives me a sense of freedom and aliveness. In L.A. everything is more open and creative, more inspiring for me, and above all you get the feeling that dreams are within reach. I’d have a hard time living without that.
Rockline: What was your reason for moving to the U.S.? Was it music-related?
Rok Golob: I went to study film music at U.S.C. for my graduate degree, and then things started happening, new opportunities came up, and I’m still going back there today.
Rockline: Do you see any differences in how music is perceived in the U.S. and in Europe (Slovenia)?
Rok Golob: If I look at the artists I really respect, it’s the same here and abroad. With music, it doesn’t matter where you are – if you create honestly, there are no borders. That said, it’s true that in the U.S. there’s more room to make quality music, and people are more open and receptive to something new and different. America values innovation, while Europe still leans more on tradition. And I also feel that people in the U.S. are prouder of those who know how to go above and beyond, and they let them know it with real warmth.
Rockline: What about musical influences? What were they in the past, and what are they now?
Rok Golob: If you make music honestly, you’re your own person anyway. I listened to a lot of Sting, TOTO, Earth, wind & fire, Gino Vannelli… and I also like quite a few newer, more rock-oriented bands. Generally speaking, I’d say music used to have a stronger backbone, while now there’s also a lot of instant stuff that the media pushes to the front.
Rockline: A little bird tells me you were a huge fan of guitarist Steve Lukather when you were young. Has that love lasted?
Rok Golob: Yeah, some things never change. He used to be one of my musical idols, and now he’s a musical buddy of mine, and we’ll definitely do another project together at some point. (By the way, your site says he played the solo on Beat it, which isn’t true. Lukather played the riffs, and the solo was Eddie van Halen!)
Rockline: Will you be going to his show on April 16 in Zagreb?
Rok Golob: I’d love to, but I’ll be busy with my own project then. I did talk to Steve, though, and it was close – he almost “hopped over” to Ljubljana for a bit and guested at one of my concerts.
Rockline: You’ve already received quite a few music awards. Do they mean anything to you, or do you make music purely for “the music”?
Rok Golob: You always make music purely for the music, but any outside recognition is welcome and gives a feeling of satisfaction.
Rockline: You always surprise us with something new. Do you plan to surprise us again with some unexpected project?
Rok Golob: Yeah, right now I’m putting together a series of concerts with a top-notch gospel group from L.A., FIRM SOUNDATION, together with the RTV Slovenija Big Band, and Murat&Jose will appear as guests. There will be two concerts in Ljubljana, one in Maribor, and one in Portorož. I’m pulling off another stunt.
Rockline: Do you have any collaborations planned with well-known and respected musicians (Slovenian ones too)?
Rok Golob: I’ve already answered that question between the lines in my other answers.
Rockline: Which musicians do you respect most in Slovenia? I mean the ones who are still active today?
Rok Golob: Well, basically everyone who works really honestly, who put “heart and soul” into their music and don’t do things by halves. Magnifico is one example…
Rockline: Is there a musician you’d especially like to work with?
Rok Golob: For me that’s a matter of inspiration. I always get hit with an idea of who I’d like to create with. I can’t plan that.
Rockline: You currently have a few concerts planned around Slovenia with your new project Firm Soundation. Can you tell us more about that?
Rok Golob: I’m truly convinced that a wave of unforgettable music is coming, and you’ll be able to catch it at four concerts: April 18 at Hotel Mons in Ljubljana, April 22 at Narodni dom Maribor, April 23 at Avditorij in Portorož, and April 24 at Cankarjev dom in Ljubljana. Firm Soundation is one of the best gospel/soul/r&b groups in California. Among their big fans is none other than Stevie Wonder himself. Their presence, energy and musical performance are truly first-class, and combined with our excellent Big Band they can only get better.
Rockline: Why did you decide to include Murat and Jose and the Big Band in the shows?
Rok Golob: Like I said, I’m not someone who plans much. Last year Hugo Šekoranja offered me the chance to do an evening of my own music with the RTV Slovenija Big Band, and I imagined what the ideal version of it would look like. And that’s what this is.
Rockline: Do you have any plans for a U.S. tour?
Rok Golob: Not yet, but the idea isn’t bad at all.
Rockline: Since we’re a rock webzine, I have to ask you whether there’s a chance you’ll record a more rock-oriented album at some point in the future?
Rok Golob: Considering that I play with Heavenix and we’ve already put out quite a few singles, it’s only a matter of time before an album comes out too.
Photos: Aleš Bravničar
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