Meet Janet Robin of The String Revolution

Today we’d like to introduce you to Janet Robin The String Revolution.

Thanks for sharing your story with us Janet. So, let’s start at the beginning, and we can move on from there.
We are The String Revolution. We are a four piece all guitar band and use our guitars in unique ways to create a “band sound.” I started the band about five years ago by putting an ad in Craigslist.. yes! Craigslist.

As a full-time musician, I, of course, knew many other guitarists in the area, but I really wanted to meet new unknown guitar players and people who were especially interested in starting a project like this. I got lucky and met two Europeans and another guy from the San Bernadino area. All unique players from different style influences. We have been together ever since.

Initially, I got the idea from being in Lindsey Buckingham’s solo band many years ago, where he had five guitar players. I was really inspired by that, and after touring and working a lot with my own solo project, I felt like I really wanted to start another band. It felt like the right time and the right thing to do, and it’s just been getting better and better working together.

Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
As mentioned, its been getting better and better- but yes, of course, we have had some struggles. When you have a band, you have four different people. We all live separately in different areas… so you have to make sure your schedules can line up for rehearsals, gigs, etc.. that actually can be difficult sometimes, but we have managed to plan WAY ahead.

We seem to operate like democracy so basically when it comes to decisions we all discuss and vote together. As for writing, it’s really been great. We are very open with each other.. sometimes I’m annoying lol, but it’s because I really want us to dig deep and see if that’s the best “part” or melodic line, for example, that we can come up with. I really want to push us to give our best musicality to each song we write or arrange.

Getting shows is always a bit of a struggle especially if you’re a new band, but luckily through all of our different solo careers and several years in the scene at least out here in LA, has been very helpful to build an audience. This year, we feel we are ready to take it on the road.

Please tell us about The String Revolution.
The String Revolution was built on creating unique and different sounds with our guitars… but trying to staying within a typical “band sound” so one may play the guitar like a drum, one might play a baritone for bass sound, one plays the rhythm, and one or two of us switch off on melody lines. We really try to create memorable arrangements too.

I think in an instrumental band of guitars, you have to be careful that you’re all not just “shredding” or noodling fast guitar parts all the time. To me- that’s just boring and doesn’t do anything for the song. We really approach the song we write as a “song” with verses, b sections, bridges, chorus’, etc.. Of course, we throw in some flash but only if it makes sense. To us, the song is the most important.

Just because it may not have singing, it still should sound lyrical and have a form. I think it’s much more interesting and easier for audiences to follow.

Do you look back particularly fondly on any memories from childhood?
Well, I can’t speak for the others in the band, but for me, I was truly lucky to have studied guitar from one of the best guitarists in the world, Randy Rhoads. I took lessons from him from age 9-15 years old. Then he a got a gig with Ozzy Osbourne and became worldwide famous as a guitarist. He wrote hits with Ozzy like “Crazy Train.”

He was on top of the world, and I couldn’t have been prouder to have had him as a teacher. He taught me so many things on guitar, but mostly confidence, especially being a young girl trying to play rock guitar in the late 70’s… there wasn’t a lot of women for me to look up to. Sadly, Randy lost his life in a tragic plane crash at the tender age of 25.

Pricing:

• Cd’s: $15 each
• Private House Concerts: $1,500

Contact Info:

• Website: https://thestringrevolution.com
• Email: info@thestringrevolution.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thestringrevolution
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thestringrevolution/?ref=bookmarks
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/thestringrevol
• Yelp: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jrcu4T2k3XY
• Other: https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/the-string-revolution-takes-over-the-guitar–2/x/19443298#/

Image Credit:
Lucas Negroni, Adrian Bretscher

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