*** Music Spotlight – Robin Hannibal (producer) ***

Sup World?

 

I want to introduce to you one of my favorite producers right now, ROBIN HANNIBAL!  The following interview was done over skype while I was in Israel.  Skype doesn’t tell you when the other person is typing, so you will notice how the conversation jumps around a bit.  

 

This post is FILLED with amazing music that very few of you have ever heard.  Some of the tracks are being heard FOR THE VERY FIRST TIME EVER.  I mean, some aren’t even finished tracks.  But your boy got dem shits and they are the TRUTH!

Enjoy and get to know your new favorite producer.

  Omer – aight.. so let’s just jump into it.  

Robin Hannibal - yeah lets.

  Omer – so, when did you start making music?  

Robin Hannibal  - when i was 18-19

very late

i never played an instrument before that either

but then i decided to try it out 

and studied composition and theory, arranging etc.

and jumped into it that way.

before that i dj’ed and was a vinyl collecting freak

 

Omer - wow.  so you really got into the science of music before actually playing it?

 

Robin Hannibal  - i worked in record stores, and managed on for 2 years also.

kinda.

i took a trainee in a studio also.

and learned the programmes meanwhile.

and still working in the record shop listening to all this beautfiul old music.

 

Omer - that’s really dope.  how do you think that influenced you production style?

 

Robin Hannibal  - that i love advanced shit.

making advanced things, and making them sound simple or understandable for everyone

or the most

i dont sample at all. only a bit of drumsounds

but thats it,

yeah..im done:)

 

Omer - yeah.. i noticed that.  it gives your music a real original feel.

 

Robin Hannibal  - thanks:)

 

Omer - when hearing your music, i’m immediately impressed with the progressions and layering.  the song just keeps moving and never becomes stagnant.

 

what programs, tools, and instruments did you start with?

 

Robin Hannibal  - yeah i dont think that its that advanced, but i know that what always tricks me, and amazes me, is melody and chord progressions. i like the other parts, drums, bass and small rhythmic patterns, but those are very much the glue.

 

but then again there can be songs made in one tonality, without a progression, but with some many small intricate melodies intertwined, such as some african music, and that i really love..

 

Omer - i think that you said it best… it’s making those advanced or progressive sounds simple and understandable to most that’s the key.  some music is so far out there that it’s difficult to fully appreciate.

 

Robin Hannibal  - agree. but no matter what, i think the common denominator is: progression.

if its in a lot of difrent parts put together, or layers, or chords

even a simple song, can be layered and arranged exeptionally and so surprisingly

 

Omer - yessir!  one of my favorite words

 

let’s go back for a second to what tools you started using to make your music and how that has changed, if at all, today

 

Robin Hannibal  - yeah:)

sure.

 

i started with a pc, a rhodes, and a dx7

using reason, acid and cubase

and then a mac, protools and better speakers 

and now a laptop, logic and again better speakers, a yamaha cp70 piano, basses, guitars, and a 70 squaremteres studio.

so it has changed.

i guess.

more and more stuff.

but i think my personality is very much that i need to progress

and learn constantly.

try genres, ways of producing, writing, etc.

learning new instruments

just to keep it fresh, exciting.

and challenging.

 

Omer - who are some of your greatest influences?  what artists and producers do you look up to?

 

Robin Hannibal  - i think thats why miles, herbie and wayne are very inspiring. cause they have alwasy tried to do new stuff, when they perfected something. the curiosness

wanting to do something that you dont know how to,

influences. phew…

everyone

when i do something soulful and noisy i wondered if mj, stevie, sly,prince etc would feel it. if its newer in sound, pharrell, jay etc. more cinematic, bacharach, stepney morricone etc.

but those are just some few.

there are so many

but i always like the people that have a very characteristic sound, but are able to be flexible and do difrent thing

 

Omer - when you go into the studio, do you usually have an idea of what you want to do in mind?  how do you go about creating something new?

 

Robin Hannibal  - very difrent.

i always try and do it difrently

sometimes at the piano.

more and more.

actually.

and at the gtr.

and then  i produce.

but i used to start with the production, and then make the song.

 

but now i work more and more the other way around.

instead of using a lot of time on a beat, where there arent any general song idea, i want to have song before. more or less. but typically it evolves, and turns out to something entirely difrent

and then again sometimes i might have something lying around for 3-4 years and then suddenly i see the “light”, and add another part, sing a cue melody or write a text

 

Omer - when did you decide to start working with vocalists?

 

Robin Hannibal  - very early

reg. the vocalists.

very early

i never dreamt of being the solo star

thats really not my ambition or goal in anyway.

what get me excited is creating a song

thats the magic to me.

 

after that, its just work.

completing it, mixing, mastering, get it released

 

Omer - ;  )

you keep answering the questions before i have time to ask them

 

Robin Hannibal  - sorry man:)

 

Omer - no.. it’s great

 

Robin Hannibal  - reg. vocalists, i like to work with difrent ones.

i dont like if they remind of eachother.

new challenges:)

but i guess you can say that everything is rooted in soul music,

 

Omer - let’s talk a bit about those artists…  how you came together, how the creative/production process evolved, etc.

 

Robin Hannibal  - right now i work with 4-5 difrent singers. all girls.

two of them danish.

 

Coco and Liv

 

Boom Clap Bachelors – Forar Til December (Spring In December)
Boom Clap Bachelors – Ring Til Mig (Call Me)
Boom Clap Bachelors – Lide Dig (Like You)  

one swedish: 
Caroline 

 

 

and Noelle Scaggs

 

* I’ve been hyping this one up for a while (see these posts), so this is your chance to find out if I’m full of it or if I hold the key.  Two of these tracks are unfinished.  I had to talk Noelle into letting me share them with you.  The two will be recording together soon when Noelle flies out to Copenhagen.  Enjoy this exclusive and keep you eyes open for this project!! – editor’s note

Noelle Scaggs – “Cherry Pie” (UniverSOUL Productions exclusive)

These next two hot out the lab and will still be redone.  I just wanted you to hear ‘em.

Noelle Scaggs – “Let’s Go” (rough version) (UniverSOUL Productions exclusive)

i wanted to work with girls.

my voice is very high pitched, and i found out that its very suitable for females.

singing.

so the melodies i make was very suitable for girls.

 

the two danish girls are also in Boom Clap Bachelor.

and they are both working on a solo project.

 

the swedish girl i met through myspace, and we are doing a project called IOU.

 

and noelle you know:)

 

Omer - i certainly do, however my audience doesn’t really “know” yet

 

Robin Hannibal  - noelle is very very gifted and talented singer songwriter, that was also in rebirth, and did work with the stones throw camp and quantic.

 

Robin Hannibal  - i had done three albums with predominantly male vox, so know it was time for a challange

 

Omer - that’s more or less what i was going to ask… what project are out now that people can check for?

 

Robin Hannibal  - there’s the Owusu and Hannibal album (editor’s note: an amazing electro-soul album!  it’s hypnotic, melodic, and very soulful.  if you like that new Dwele album, you need to be up on this)

 

Robin was kind enuff to bless us with a few joints to listen to.  Make sure to support and buy the music if you like it!

 

Owusu & Hannibal – “Le Fox”

Owusu & Hannibal – “A Million Babies”

Owusu & Hannibal – “Blue Jay”

Owusu & Hannibal – “Monster”

 

(Click on the album covers for more info)

 

OWUSU & HANNIBAL “LIVING WITH OWUSU & HANNIBAL”

 

OWUSU & HANNIBAL “DELIRIUM”

 

theres the Boom Clap Bachelor record, and a dance soul rock record thats coming out after the summer.

the group is called nonplus

non?

Non +

(editors note – the Non + project is DOPE!  A super fun electro-pop synth-driven album.)

Non + -”Asyl”
Non + – “Dorthea”
Non + – “Tommy Annika”
Non + – “Wake”  

Omer - are all three of those albums coming out after summer or just the dance soul rock record?

 

Robin Hannibal  - no the other ones are out.

the non+ record is getting released in the states and japan, and we are working on other deals.

 

Omer - so what’s next for robin hannibal?  are there any specific dreams or accomplishments you have beyond continual progression and development? 

any artist you would like to work with that you haven’t had a chance to yet?

any collaborations with other musicians?

 

Robin Hannibal  - to take the first one: 

the 4 difrent girls obviously.

need to complete that.

 

i just want to keep making music. and develop.

reg artists: i have a lot favourites.

but it doesnt necessarily mean that we would click, or make anything good.

i dont really care if people have a big reputation or made 10 albums etc, if they have something special i would love to work with them

a lot of collaborations going on constantly.

but i like to meet people and work with them i person.

always dangerous to name things that arent completed.

dont want to jinx it:)

 

Omer - i hear ya.

 

Robin Hannibal  - i think i would rather meet some of the people im inspired by, than collaborate with them.

but if it just so happens, and prince calls, i wouldnt say know.

if he calls, and asks: are you ready for prince? i would prob say yea..

 

Omer - haha!  i don’t know how anyone could be ready for Prince, but I hear ya.

                                                                                                                                                                             

 

Robin Hannibal  - that’s true

 

Omer - i think there is a lot to be said about that mentality

 

Robin Hannibal  - what do you mean

 

Omer - i mean that i think too many people jump into relationships before they know how to best relate to each other.  in your case, we’re speaking about musicians, but in general, we live in a fast paced, instant gratification world.  as a result people start working on projects together before they even know if there are synergies or not.

 

Robin Hannibal  - so true

 

Omer - i just felt those were wise words worth noting

 

Robin Hannibal  - i tried that a couple of times

and i mean you gotta have the tolerance also for trying a lot of things out, that prob. arent going to work

 

Omer - any last words, thoughts, shout outs, etc?

 

Robin Hannibal  - a shout out to everyone trying and wanting to push music. innovate dont renovate. push, push, push. if you like the past, make sure you look forward.

shout out to  the boom clappers, mr. owusu, non plus, noelle baby, and all musicmakers

oh and “iou” and caroline

 

Omer - it’s a real honor and pleasure to have done this.  as i’ve said to you and the people who frequent the blog, you are at the very top of my list of artists to check for.  i’m already a fan and look forward to hearing everything you have to share with the world.  thanks so much for taking the time and let’s keep pushing good music forward!

 

Robin Hannibal  - hey it was an honour:) thank you:) yeah lets keep pushing, and growing. love the blog, checking it daily now:)

thank you for the kindness.

 

 

Other related posts from before:

 

Noelle Scaggs’ shows w/MOP, Dwele, and much more…

4onefunktion – “Scraper Jazz” live video

*** Introducing: Bullion (Don’t Sleep) (free download) ***

This weekend was magic! Day 3, “Live At The BBQ” w/Noelle & Rhettmatic (free download)

Omer Saar – “THE GREEN ALBUM” (free download)

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