Halfway Through the Week - R2RB Indie Artist Interview with Vo Bird and Wednesday Rally Indie Artist Rob Harrowven

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Vo Bird shared insights into her music career, highlighting the success of her singles "6468" and "Crimes of Humanity," which reached number one on It's Now radio station. She expressed gratitude for listener support during the voting process and discussed her nomination for the International Singer-Songwriter Association. Vo reflected on the mental challenges of balancing creative projects with work commitments and showcased his artistic versatility through her involvement in photography, painting, and drawing. The conversation emphasized the importance of progress in his artistic journey, as she reconnects with music by writing song lyrics inspired by his poetry.

Vo aims to provoke thought and convey meaningful messages through her art, emphasizing the importance of sharing these narratives to inspire others. She also founded Words from the Bird LLC to help artists promote their work, reflecting his commitment to fostering connections within the indie artist community.

The discussion included details about Vo's upcoming projects, including the release of her album "Crimes Against Humanity."  Vo described the creative process behind the title track and another single, "64 to 68," which draws inspiration from historical figures. She also mentioned a space-themed project utilizing NASA audio clips, emphasizing the need for proper credit and permission for commercial use. Vo is preparing to release a new album titled "Maps of Existence," focusing on philosophical inquiries, and she provided insights for indie artists on the importance of self-acceptance and pursuing music for personal fulfillment amidst the challenges of balancing a full-time job with a music career.

Meet Indie Artist Rob Harrowven

In this episode, we sit down with Rob Harrowven, a retired Clinical Scientist in Audiology turned indie musician from Norwich, England. After spending years in London, Rob has returned to his hometown, where he enjoys a peaceful life creating music, reading, walking, hitting the gym, and supporting his local football team.

Rob's musical influences stem from his teenage years in the 70s, including bands like Status Quo, Bachman Turner Overdrive, Supertramp, Mott the Hoople/Ian Hunter, and Slade. Unlike many musicians, Rob didn't harbor early ambitions in music. Although he learned guitar and piano as a teenager and wrote a few songs, it wasn't until after retirement that he rediscovered his passion for music.

His journey as an indie artist began with recording "Spirit of Agartha," inspired by a book he was reading in his book club. This was followed by "Shobalob," a song about his partner. The experience sparked his creativity, leading to his debut album "Hackney Days" released in November 2023, which included five songs written during his teenage years.

Rob describes his sound as a mixture of upbeat tracks and ballads, both guitar and keyboard-based. His music has been characterized as 80's rock, indie rock, alternative rock, post-punk, and electronic, though he emphasizes that his compositions are simple and always "composed from the heart."

For the Wednesday Rally, Rob chose his song "Out in the Cold," the title track from his latest album. He was deeply moved by the positive comments and support from the indie community, which he says "means everything" to him. Rob particularly values the Group Together indie community for its positivity and mutual support.

Looking ahead, Rob is working on a new single and album titled "Movin' On" (or "Moving On"), expected to be released by the end of the year.

Rob leaves listeners with an inspiring message: "It's never too late to start writi