“The Coward Robert Ford is a DIY post-punk drone-infused project by Samual Glass that relishes in dark subject matter, all while remaining seeped in ambiance and atmosphere. He has put out two releases (“Black Hymns”, “Snuff”) with his third record underway.”
WEBSITE: www.thecowardrobertford.bandcamp.com
INSTAGRAM: @thecowardrobertford
TWITTER: @thecowardford
SPOTIFY: https://open.spotify.com/artist/2uW1DN87JB5mOhPu2VCflN?si=iRL_4mKaQ5mJfm_cJoPAzA
1.) What elements and/or characteristics made you say to yourself that you wanted to do music for a living? Who are your influences/heroes/role models?
My father and brothers are both professional musicians. Growing up, I watched my dad perform countless blues shows and I had the privilege of seeing my brother get success by joining the much successful pop-punk band, The Ataris. They were always my largest influences.
I guess, in a way, I was always bound to be a musician in one way or another.
2.) If you could compare yourself to an already established artist, who would that be and why? If you don’t like to compare yourself, then music-wise, what separates you from other musicians?
The most common comparisons I’ve received from fans is always the work of Dan Barrett from Have A Nice Life/Giles Corey. His DIY approach to ambiance, all while going into disassociating subject matter, has always struck a chord with me and definitely affected me as a musician.
However, in terms of my own opinion, I don’t think there is much out there like my music besides Dan Barrett. I have no fear of going into extremely uncomfortable topics of human conditions in my lyricism, and I’m more than willing to be a bleeding open book to any listener.
3.) Everyone in life goes through adversity of some sort. Is there anything in your life that has any influence on the kind of songs you write? What is the most difficult thing you’ve had to endure on your path to becoming a musician?
When I was around 18, my mother was evicted from our home and we were forced to move across the country to California to my aunt’s. For a long period of my life after that, about 5 years, I was pretty much homeless. I moved from state to state, couch to couch, in hopes of new employment or a place to set roots. What I found instead was poverty, alcohol addiction, relationship loss, and grief all sprinkled in between.
“Black Hymns” was the product of all that struggling to maintain sanity and ever since, I’ve worn those years like an albatross.
The most difficult thing I’ve had to endure is isolating myself in these traumatizing memories for the sake of the music, only to be disregarded as “just another DIY guy”.
4.) How do you prepare yourself to write certain songs? What is your song-writing and recording process?
Like I said, isolation in trauma tends to be the go-to process. I’ll lock myself in my room and just write down what’s really hammering me down at the moment. It could be my own struggles or someone else’s, but no matter what, I’ll write about it from the heart.
From there, it’s all really just finding something pretty on the guitar to match the lyricism.
5.) Unfortunately the music industry is full of talented individuals who just don’t get any recognition for their talent and/or hard work. What do you plan to do to make sure you stand out and get noticed? Would you rather be on a major label or would you rather stay independent? Why or why not? In regards to the music industry itself, do you think that the traditional music industry model as we know it is dead?
My plan to stand out is just to remain me. Most artists will have to put on a facade for their music in order to be heard, but I’ve lived these experiences and faced these hardships. I’ll wear them like a badge of honor until I decide to rip that badge off.
In regards to remaining indie or going major, it wouldn’t matter to me. As long as I’m not told to modify who I am personally, I will do whatever. What will not change is me writing this music.
Whether or not the traditional music industry is dead, which I don’t believe it is, the internet has certainly changed things for the better. Those who may have been looked over by a shill in a suit may find great exposure by just a random message board user.
6.) Are you able to make a living with your music? If so, how were you able to attain a career doing what you love? If not, what do you do in order to fund your music career? What advice would give to someone who’s interested in pursuing a career in music?
Currently, no.
Most of what goes into my music is $0 just because I can’t get enough of the authentic feel I am capable of creating without money.
As cliched as it, my advice is to follow the heart and gut. If you listen to your own music and go “Eh, this could be better”, then head back to the writing board. If you know you have something special, just invest in yourself and show it to the world.
7.) How do you think the internet and social media affected the music industry and how musicians are able to market themselves? Social media is obviously an extremely important element in today’s world, especially when it comes to business, branding, marketing, etc. With that being said, do you think an artist will be able to survive in today’s music industry if they’re not social media savvy?
I think to say you “need” social media to be successful is a bit much. Plenty of artists wear a shroud when it comes to social media and still find immense success. The reason why I believe this is, is because the proverbial “shroud” adds more mystery to the music. You aren’t exposed to the artist’s thoughts, meals, and family photos so the artist themselves can become larger than life mysteries in your mind, thus forcing you to dig deeper into the music to really know them.
8.) Artists who try to make music for the general public and make more money are usually seen as “sell-outs.” Do you see it that way and if so, what do you plan to do to make sure your music stays true to your brand and make a good living at the same time without having to “sell out”?
I don’t believe you can sell out. I do believe people change and this can lead to a pivot in music styles.
In regards to my own music and whether or not I’d “sell-out”, I don’t know. Maybe I’ll get settled down, happier, and let go of all the things I’ve endured.
But then again, writing sad songs makes me happy. That’s how I’ll stay true to myself; doing what makes me happy.
9.) Professionally, where do you see yourself 5 years from now?
I do see some eventual exposure down the line, but this will not change my processes regardless.
5 years down the line, I’ll still be the same sad bastard I’ve been since 2016.