Today we’d like to introduce you to Robzie Trulove.
Hi Robzie, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I was nervous but not unfamiliar with being the only black girl in the room when I walked into a studio to play drums with three men- one of whom would determine whether or not I would be the drummer in this new LA-based band. While I had always loved music, this audition marks the true beginning of my professional drumming career. I liked the music and it felt natural for me to play, so to my surprise, this whole endeavor was going to be among the most arduous of my life. I am glad I experienced it all because it helped forge the woman I am now- with the mission I’m on now. Long story short, this was a rock band with a few great opportunities lined up and it was really needing an “attractive woman” (as they kept saying) in the roster. In hindsight, I recognize the plethora of red flags, but again, I learned a lot during this journey. I was reminded of the fact I was essentially just an expendable ornament for the project over and over again by the man who happened to be the band manager as well as the lead singer. He was highly connected in Los Angeles and New York and he believed that he had power over me. He abused me in many ways and I mention this particular bit of my journey because it shines a light on how layered the trauma can be for women and particularly black women pursuing a career in Rock music. This was my favorite genre to play, but it felt like I was constantly being molded into what certain people felt would ensure acceptance by white fans. I was fuelled by the confidence that came from knowing I could play my instrument and that is what gave me the strength and leverage to get through.
I noticed that as I kept pushing with my head held high, the right allies gravitated to me. So when I eventually decided to leave that toxic project, I was able to easily transition to other better, healthier horizons. Before I knew it, I was recording drums in the same studio as Coldplay, working in studio with Grammy-nominated producer Ghian Wright, opening for Crystal Waters and CeCe Peniston, touring nationally/internationally, working with one of Justin Timberlake’s drum techs, hitting the Kennedy Center Millennium Stage in Washington DC. I would eventually join four other female rockers in a band called The OSYX. They would become my co-founding board members in the launch of a nonprofit organization called This Could Go Boom – a 501c3 organization that uplifts women and other marginalized musicians. I celebrate the successful album launches and packed shows of our affiliated artists; I reflect on how far I have come and have been able to help others go, and I’ve discovered that there is true power and purpose in once having been the only black girl in the room.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
The road has not been smooth, but I am glad I never gave up. Being tokenized seemed to be completely unavoidable for me during my time in LA. One other major mountain to climb for me was dealing with a narcissistic manager who I clashed with a lot. The issue was he felt he could and should control me. He felt he could tell me what to wear, how to do my hair (to be more palatable for our predominantly white audience) and in many instances, how I should carry myself when meeting people at showcases and other events where we were among what he called “industry people”. Constantly being made to appeal to the male gaze and having to prove my chops on the first take in studio at the same time was commonplace. Despite all of this, I was motivated to push back against forces that were trying to reshape me. I learned how to detect toxic scenarios and how to help build platforms of advocacy and upliftment for marginalized creatives.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I am a drummer and much like my role of holding the beat and uniting the band with a solid groove, I have also become quite interested in the bridges that can be built between musicians and musical organizations that can make an impact when they join forces. For instance, I have worked with Girls Rock Rochester and Girls Rock Detroit along with another project that hired me, called The TxLips, in an educational series. The series educates women, girls and the LGBTQ+ community about how to navigate the music business. While I might be most known for my drumming endeavours, I have been spotted in public speaking engagements and have facilitated drumming and music business workshops. My nonprofit This Could Go Boom has presented more than 125 artists in paid performances, conducted workshops in DIY recording, improvisational music, and safer scenes. We advocated for community investment in gender-diverse music creation with presentations at The Kennedy Center and The Hirshhorn Museum (a part of the Smithsonian). I have to say that the work we have done with This Could Go Boom is what I am most proud of and it serves as a major exclamation point to my entire musical journey thus far.
I believe in music; I believe in storytelling; I believe that representation in entertainment is highly important for minorities and marginalized people at large in that not only do they get to see themselves, but they get to be seen by others in the depth that allows us to fight discrimination as a whole human collective.
Networking and finding a mentor can have such a positive impact on one’s life and career. Any advice?
My best advice is making yourself discoverable. Go to the local events and shows. Volunteer to help out at festivals in your scene, so you can get to rub shoulders with other musicians, promoters and industry people. Take the leap of faith and go do that audition! Take every opportunity (so long as it is safe) to showcase your craft and meet people. So long as you do this in a way that is authentic to who you are and what you want, you will meet the right people. This hasn’t failed me yet, and it seems that since my first major audition, most new opportunities found me before I even knew I was looking for them.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.RobzieTrulove.com
- Other: linktr.ee/RobzieTrulove
Image Credits
First pic of Robzie on drums : Good Foot Media (Kevin Shanahan) Robzie By Tree in Shades: Okwa Andrew Solutions The OSYX pics: Farrah Sheiky
