This interview with Chris Robinson first appeared as a short Q & A in the February 2019 edition of Marin Magazine. Here it is in its entirety, chocked-filled with more of the fun conversation I had with him in December of 2018.
Chris Robinson, rocker, songwriter, and front man for his bands Green Leaf Rustlers and Chris Robinson’s Brotherhood, (and formally of the Black Crowes), has finally found a home amid the soft, rolling hills of Marin County. His move here 6 years ago was prompted by a need to have change of pace and find a place better to raise his kids that wasn’t amid the chaos of Los Angeles or New York. His time here has been idyllic as well as musically prosperous, and when his tour schedule allows, he nestles into his West Marin home to find the peace he deserves.
Carolyn: In my opinion, Marin is something special; Mount Tam, the open space, and the musical history all somehow seep into our souls to create a deep love for this place. What was your reason for deciding to move to this amazing place and has living in Marin changed you in any way?
Chris: When I moved here a few years ago it just seemed like a good change from Los Angeles. I wanted to have the wealth of a community that I never had. I'm from Atlanta and I didn't have it there. I lived in New York, I lived in Los Angeles and I had great friends but never a community. I love having that in my life. Marin is also nicer too. Just the land itself and the vibration of the North Bay is something that I've been searching for my whole life. I’ve been lucky enough to travel around the world, but to finally be in Marin is like, “Oh wow!” I've been looking for this spot for a long time.
Carolyn: What are some of your favorite Marin places to hang out in or activities you do when you're not on tour?
Chris: I really like being in West Marin. I love going to the Italian restaurant in Point Reyes Station, Stellina. I like going all the way out to the lighthouse. Nick’s Cove is cool, too. I like being outdoors and hiking, and having access to all this beautiful nature is something that I really, really, really like. Fairfax is like “going to town” and if anyone needs to find me I’ll probably be at the Good Earth, like everyone else. I do love the chicken wings at the Iron Springs and if we're gonna be having a fancy night, we'll go to Sushi Ran or something in Sausalito.
Chris Robinson, rocker, songwriter, and front man for his bands Green Leaf Rustlers and Chris Robinson’s Brotherhood, (and formally of the Black Crowes), has finally found a home amid the soft, rolling hills of Marin County. His move here 6 years ago was prompted by a need to have change of pace and find a place better to raise his kids that wasn’t amid the chaos of Los Angeles or New York. His time here has been idyllic as well as musically prosperous, and when his tour schedule allows, he nestles into his West Marin home to find the peace he deserves.
Carolyn: In my opinion, Marin is something special; Mount Tam, the open space, and the musical history all somehow seep into our souls to create a deep love for this place. What was your reason for deciding to move to this amazing place and has living in Marin changed you in any way?
Chris: When I moved here a few years ago it just seemed like a good change from Los Angeles. I wanted to have the wealth of a community that I never had. I'm from Atlanta and I didn't have it there. I lived in New York, I lived in Los Angeles and I had great friends but never a community. I love having that in my life. Marin is also nicer too. Just the land itself and the vibration of the North Bay is something that I've been searching for my whole life. I’ve been lucky enough to travel around the world, but to finally be in Marin is like, “Oh wow!” I've been looking for this spot for a long time.
Carolyn: What are some of your favorite Marin places to hang out in or activities you do when you're not on tour?
Chris: I really like being in West Marin. I love going to the Italian restaurant in Point Reyes Station, Stellina. I like going all the way out to the lighthouse. Nick’s Cove is cool, too. I like being outdoors and hiking, and having access to all this beautiful nature is something that I really, really, really like. Fairfax is like “going to town” and if anyone needs to find me I’ll probably be at the Good Earth, like everyone else. I do love the chicken wings at the Iron Springs and if we're gonna be having a fancy night, we'll go to Sushi Ran or something in Sausalito.
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Carolyn: It's so crazy that you have spent most of your adult life on the road, you kind of grew up in this way of life but I sense you are settling down more?
Chris: You know, my life has been this way since 1989 when I was 22. I definitely feel as I’m getting older I would like to be in Marin more and start touring a little less. It has been an incredible gift to be able to do what you love, when you have the opportunity to live your life that way. But there's a duality. There's great freedom and great fulfillment, but then it brings up all these other things. It's tough to miss your kids and your things. But, you know, you make it work.
Carolyn: Do you think that your ability to grow and change within your music has helped you continue to be relevant and successful in what you're doing?
Chris: I imagine that would be hard to quantify because I am the catalyst of what's going on for myself. As an outsider, dyslexic, weirdo and art driven child of the Deep South, my connection has always been through my writings. Then I found my way into music, [I found] that I could sing, that I could write songs or arrange music, not just be the performer. I think where I am at my fifties is probably closer to the person I was when I left Atlanta, just in terms of pure artistic expression, the reality is I'm still close to the creative source, if that makes sense. I hope to learn from my mistakes, but all of them have been based around keeping a purity to what I feel music represents to me. For me, it's not just business, it's not just trappings or the things that people want; fame, money, you know, the things they associate with success. Those are real and I understand them, they're just not the things that motivate me. At the end of the day as the artist, I know what makes me happy and what doesn’t, and we don't have enough time on this planet to not attempt to have some joy, you know?
Carolyn: Yeah. It's really important to love what you do.
Chris: Well, it permeates the rest of your being, you know.
Carolyn: Have you discovered any local musicians or bands that think are amazing and incredible?
Chris: Totally. There are tons of musicians out in San Geronimo Valley and people that I didn't know about before. I really like the band San Geronimo and Darren Nelson and Jeremy D’Antonio from that band. The guys from Soul Ska, as well. I'm not surprised when I am around Marin and see a great band; or it could be just some older dudes playing in the bar and they'll have some great, cool music. You know what I mean? It's amazing.
Chris: You know, my life has been this way since 1989 when I was 22. I definitely feel as I’m getting older I would like to be in Marin more and start touring a little less. It has been an incredible gift to be able to do what you love, when you have the opportunity to live your life that way. But there's a duality. There's great freedom and great fulfillment, but then it brings up all these other things. It's tough to miss your kids and your things. But, you know, you make it work.
Carolyn: Do you think that your ability to grow and change within your music has helped you continue to be relevant and successful in what you're doing?
Chris: I imagine that would be hard to quantify because I am the catalyst of what's going on for myself. As an outsider, dyslexic, weirdo and art driven child of the Deep South, my connection has always been through my writings. Then I found my way into music, [I found] that I could sing, that I could write songs or arrange music, not just be the performer. I think where I am at my fifties is probably closer to the person I was when I left Atlanta, just in terms of pure artistic expression, the reality is I'm still close to the creative source, if that makes sense. I hope to learn from my mistakes, but all of them have been based around keeping a purity to what I feel music represents to me. For me, it's not just business, it's not just trappings or the things that people want; fame, money, you know, the things they associate with success. Those are real and I understand them, they're just not the things that motivate me. At the end of the day as the artist, I know what makes me happy and what doesn’t, and we don't have enough time on this planet to not attempt to have some joy, you know?
Carolyn: Yeah. It's really important to love what you do.
Chris: Well, it permeates the rest of your being, you know.
Carolyn: Have you discovered any local musicians or bands that think are amazing and incredible?
Chris: Totally. There are tons of musicians out in San Geronimo Valley and people that I didn't know about before. I really like the band San Geronimo and Darren Nelson and Jeremy D’Antonio from that band. The guys from Soul Ska, as well. I'm not surprised when I am around Marin and see a great band; or it could be just some older dudes playing in the bar and they'll have some great, cool music. You know what I mean? It's amazing.
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Carolyn: You have been very outspoken about marijuana and it's amazing uses. Have you seen any changes in the public mindset with the laws that have changed the legality of it?
Chris: Not In California. I mean, at least not for me. I haven't known anyone since I've lived in California for nearly 20 years that ever had a problem with marijuana. If anything I think that people have spoken. It’s obviously not what it used to be, at least in terms of the stigma. Now the average person you who wants to have “a nice afternoon” knows they are not going to be stigmatized or go to prison, and that is the big victory.
Carolyn: It seems that all your various incarnations of bands have such a different feel and vibe from each other, but at the same time seem so “Chris Robinson” to me. Of course that's because the music that you're playing and the musicians that you play with are different, so how do each of those bands feed your soul?
Chris: My Marin-based band, the Green Leaf Rustles has [Marin guitarist] Barry Sless, who plays with David Nelson and [bassist] Pete Seers is in the band, too, he was in Jefferson Starship, we only play only old country songs. Chris Robinson’s Brotherhood is my vehicle for my own music and my poetry. Every time you play, you're a very different group, and even that group will play a little different within a different place on a different day with different electricity in the air. That's what I like about it. That's why music was perfect for dyslexic, ADHD child, because it has a lot of dynamics going on. It keeps me interested.
Chris: Not In California. I mean, at least not for me. I haven't known anyone since I've lived in California for nearly 20 years that ever had a problem with marijuana. If anything I think that people have spoken. It’s obviously not what it used to be, at least in terms of the stigma. Now the average person you who wants to have “a nice afternoon” knows they are not going to be stigmatized or go to prison, and that is the big victory.
Carolyn: It seems that all your various incarnations of bands have such a different feel and vibe from each other, but at the same time seem so “Chris Robinson” to me. Of course that's because the music that you're playing and the musicians that you play with are different, so how do each of those bands feed your soul?
Chris: My Marin-based band, the Green Leaf Rustles has [Marin guitarist] Barry Sless, who plays with David Nelson and [bassist] Pete Seers is in the band, too, he was in Jefferson Starship, we only play only old country songs. Chris Robinson’s Brotherhood is my vehicle for my own music and my poetry. Every time you play, you're a very different group, and even that group will play a little different within a different place on a different day with different electricity in the air. That's what I like about it. That's why music was perfect for dyslexic, ADHD child, because it has a lot of dynamics going on. It keeps me interested.
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Carolyn: I wanted to talk about facial hair, if I may. I'm noticing more and more musicians are growing these crazy, bushy beards very much like yours. I'm wondering if you might have any influence on that?
Chris: I've had a beard since the mid nineties. I guess think musicians are lazy, so we don't want to shave, maybe? Yeah, I’m chalking it up to laziness (laughs). I do like a beard because it represents so many different things. On one hand it represents strength and wisdom and someone of power, and in the exact same spoonful it represents madness and the outsider and something off kilter; dangerous. So I like the duplicity.
Carolyn: Oh, that's an excellent answer. I don't think I'd ever heard anybody describe their beard in such a profound way.
Chris: Most people are probably like, ‘oh, I like Mumford and Sons. So I got a beard.’
Carolyn: I really respect and appreciate how low-key of a celebrity you are, even though you don't consider yourself a celebrity but more of a musician. How do you feel like you fit into Marin celebrity culture?
Chris: I don't think anyone really cares. If people know who I am because they come to the shows and they like my records or whatever, that's just a being a successful musician. But even when I was in a different life, when I was married to someone very famous, I never really needed that, [celebrity] wasn't a part of my life. It is what it is and I've never, at anytime in my life, never went anywhere thinking anyone should ever know me or care or anything. So I dunno, I never really even think about it. I’m in the Soul Biz and not the Showbiz.
Chris: I've had a beard since the mid nineties. I guess think musicians are lazy, so we don't want to shave, maybe? Yeah, I’m chalking it up to laziness (laughs). I do like a beard because it represents so many different things. On one hand it represents strength and wisdom and someone of power, and in the exact same spoonful it represents madness and the outsider and something off kilter; dangerous. So I like the duplicity.
Carolyn: Oh, that's an excellent answer. I don't think I'd ever heard anybody describe their beard in such a profound way.
Chris: Most people are probably like, ‘oh, I like Mumford and Sons. So I got a beard.’
Carolyn: I really respect and appreciate how low-key of a celebrity you are, even though you don't consider yourself a celebrity but more of a musician. How do you feel like you fit into Marin celebrity culture?
Chris: I don't think anyone really cares. If people know who I am because they come to the shows and they like my records or whatever, that's just a being a successful musician. But even when I was in a different life, when I was married to someone very famous, I never really needed that, [celebrity] wasn't a part of my life. It is what it is and I've never, at anytime in my life, never went anywhere thinking anyone should ever know me or care or anything. So I dunno, I never really even think about it. I’m in the Soul Biz and not the Showbiz.
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