ROBERT JON & THE WRECK - THE RISING

Robert Jon and the Wreck are a band who have been far from resting on their laurels. Since the pandemic, the group has put out a steady stream of releases, that culminates with their latest album Red Moon Rising.

WORDS: Adam Kennedy PICS: Supplied

The band’s touring schedule is enough to make your eyes water, with months away at a time across both Europe and the US. Thankfully, all the band’s hard work is certainly paying off.

Speaking with the band’s frontman Robert Jon Burrison, whilst taking a break at home, the artist shared his insights on the year so far. “We’ve had a lot of travel already this year. I’m looking forward to the next bit of this year; we’ve got a lot of travelling to do too. So, we are just keeping our heads on straight and trying our best to be present at home when we’re home. Because we’re not home a lot this year,” explains Robert. “We’re doing what we love and pushing the envelope forward in hopes that one day we’ll get some extra time at home when we really need it.”

With such an intense touring schedule, how did the band go about fitting in writing and recording their latest offering? “We were using sound checks to work on stuff and create ideas and everything. So, it was kind of a different writing headspace than we were used to. We were used to like, okay, we’re home for six weeks, let’s put the record together, and then figure out when to record it. But this one was just kind of, okay, we have this recording window. But everything in between now and then is going to move. So, when do we do it? So, it made it exciting and fun in different ways, trying stuff out on the road and getting inspired in different countries I think made for a different record in that respect,” said Robert.

The band worked with producer extraordinaire Kevin Shirley on their latest album. “Working with Kevin in

the studio is just really exciting because there are other ideas that we would never have thought of to try out. And being in a space like Village Studios where so much has been done, it just felt comfortable. It’s like all the stress from beforehand getting ready kind of washed out and we were just there to make music,” explains Burrison.

Perhaps you may have noticed that there has been a steady stream of singles released in the build-up to the band’s new album. And whilst streaming trends may lean towards the release of singles over full-length albums, the band still fully embrace the album format. “We wanted to put the album together because that’s important to us too. So, hopefully, when people finally get to listen to the whole thing as a unit, it’ll make sense,” confirms Robert.

One of the singles taken from the album is a song called Worried Mind. “I remember playing that riff in the beginning when my son was super young. And when kids are super young, there’s not much you can do once they’re fed and happy, other than look at him. So, I would just play my guitar until he needed something else. And so, I had that riff kind of laying around,” said Robert. “We were in Nashville. So, we called up our buddy, Austin Jenks. He lives in Nashville. And he’s a great songwriter. And we were like, do you want to come over, have some beers and write a song? And so, he came over and we just kind of

played around with that riff and tried to figure out where it could go. And a couple of hours later, we had Worried Mind. So that’s kind of how it came to be. And in the studio, we knew it was going to be more of an acoustic track.”

As songwriters, do the band enjoy working with a writing partner such as Austin Jenks? “I think it’s something that you have to get used to,” said Robert. “When you’re in a room songwriting can be very nerve-racking when you’re trying to write a song with someone. You’re singing weird stuff, and you’re trying to come up with something cool. And you’re looking at that other person waiting for them to say it’s cool or not. And then, going from the other side, you don’t want to if you don’t like something, you don’t really want to be like, that’s kind of weird. So, it takes a lot of trust and respect.”

Robert adds: “We’ve also done a lot of co-writes with the whole band and someone else, which I think in some respects works the best because you’re basically putting six minds on a song and coming up with ideas and throwing stuff back and forth. And I think comfort is the word that’s coming back in my mind a lot is just being comfortable with someone and being able to throw ideas at the wall and see what sticks and wanting to come up with the best stuff is our goal. Having some great talented friends available to do that with us as always."

Robert Jon and the Wreck will be returning to our UK shores for an extensive headline tour in November. This time the band will be playing some of their biggest headline dates in the UK so far. “It’s an honour to be there, and for people to come to our show. We’re still in awe when we play a bigger room, and it’s full, and we’re still in shock sometimes,” said Robert. “There’s an energy that comes from the people in the room and that’s what we really everyone there and including us, it makes us play different. And so, we’re excited.”

Moving forward, the rest of 2024 is going to be all about promoting Red Moon Rising. “With the new record, we’ve got some new videos coming out. We are going to be back on the road pretty soon and we are trying to enjoy the time we get at home as much as we can,” concludes Burrison.

Robert Jon & The Wreck’s new album “Red Moon Rising” is released by Journeyman Records on June 28th. Order the album from www.robertjonandthewreck.com.

The band tour the UK from November 20th to December