Robin Bramlett by Gail Jhonson

How did you come to music as a child? Did you study music theory? My parents purchased instruments for me as a child. I had an electric guitar, electric bass guitar, and a toy drum set. There was an upright piano in the house that I practiced on, before getting the instruments. Once I got them, the strings on the electric guitar broke from my refusal to play with a pick and the heads on the toy drum set broke from me playing too hard! With my 4-string P-Bass copy being the only one standing, it just felt natural to stick with it. I was attracted to the bass frequency from paying close attention to the bass voices at the church I attended.

When I began playing professionally, in church, I was reminded about how much I don’t know about music. I took a few music theory classes at Bakersfield College, under the instruction of Dean Sample and John Gerhold, the teacher who helped me take my music theory knowledge to a level I did not know existed. Do you compose music? If so, how many songs have you composed? Yes. I began composing music when I was 13 years old. I have written a whole lot of songs. Too many to count. Do you have a publishing company with ASCAP or BMI? Yes. I have a publishing company Basseroni Music with BMI. Are you aware of the challenges women face in the maledominated music industry? Yes. I’m very aware, as I have been met with a few of those challenges. One being the perception that just because you are a woman you can’t play an instrument or can’t play it very well. There have been countless times where men would see me holding my bass and thought I was holding it for my husband! What advice do you have for younger women entering the world of music? Consistently practice your craft so you can gain the confidence to aggressively fight the perception of you being less of a musician because of your gender. However, keep in mind that not all men perceive female musicians in this way. Many men are supportive of female musicians. So, while you are going out there with your confidence, don’t lose your manners in the process. Always have a positive attitude. What music project are you working on? I’m working on my first recording project since my 2013 release This Is My Life. I hope to have it finished by mid-2021. How has the pandemic affected you and your musical expression? This pandemic has forced me to slow down which has allowed me the mental space to work on new music and sharpen my production skills. Who’s in your playlist? My playlist varies depending on my mood. Lately, I’ve been listening to the singer Lucky Daye, Nipsey Hussle, Busta Rhymes, J. Cole, Ricky Dillard, James Hall, Four80East, and way too many other jazz, R&B, gospel, and funk artists to name. What are your goals and objectives for 2021? I plan to release my upcoming project by the summer of 2021. I hope this pandemic is over by then so I can hit the road to promote it. Anything you want to share with the world, what legacy will you leave? I have always been that person to work hard and perfect anything before presenting it to the world. When I am long gone, I want to leave that legacy for the next generation of female musicians to come after me.

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