A couple of years ago, I was introduced to Monday nights at Putnam Place in Saratoga, NY. That’s right, a MONDAY, afterwork, BUT- I never thought that a Monday night in Saratoga would be more of a reset or renewal of my energy than a hindrance for the start of the work week. What was there that Monday night (and every Monday night) you ask?
Family Tree, a band, an experience, many super talented musicians and a great start to the work week. One of the fondest memories was seeing them for the very first time – a six piece band at the time: Lori Friday, Chad Ploss, Steve Candlen, Chris Carey, Kenny Hohman and one of the Capital Region’s most talented musical gems, Mr Rob Fleming.
Rob had a red guitar in hand and his voice was pure, authentic talent as he played one of my favorite tunes, “Colors” by the Black Pumas. I began following Rob’s musical career from that day forward and now I’m excited to introduce you all to Rob Fleming, and his creative solo project, RHOSEWAY.
Amy: Hey Rob! Happy New Year! How was your holiday?
Rob: Hey Amy! Same to you. Very eventful to say the least, and gone in a flash like every year.
Amy: Let’s talk about Rhoseway – you currently have three dual-singles out, among them are the songs Ode to Arrows, Let the Sky Send Rain, and Cloak & Dagger. How did this project come to fruition?
Rob: I’ve always felt more whole when writing and recording my own ideas, and it was around 2018 I noticed I was playing a lot of, if not exclusively, other people’s music. I began digging around again to find what it was I had to say creatively, if anything at all. Thus began many demos and experiments of things and sounds that haven’t gone farther than a hard drive at home.
I wanted to form a project that felt a bit more free than previous ones I’ve worked on in the past. Less rules, go further with dynamics. I wanted to think about the music that truly moves me today, to focus on why I’m choosing to play music in the first place, and use that as a guiding light. No particular meaning with the name. I was aiming for something unique, and had the idea of a play on the word “rose”. Listening to a lot of Jeff Buckely and Smiths at the time.
Amy: You were in the band “Family Tree” when I met you and since then, you have decided to step away from that group, though I’ve caught you a few times dropping in for a song or two with them on Monday nights. Were you in other bands as well? When did you decide Rhoseway was going to become your main focus?
Rob: Family Tree are great friends. I love playing with them. I always feel a special vibe among us when we play, and I try to make it down there as often as I can if not to perform, just to hang. I still perform solo acoustic cover gigs and play with other bands, mostly for the sake of hanging with my close friends who happen to be great musicians, and we just so happen to be at a bar or a brewery playing music.
I would say there was no specific time I made Rhoseway a main focus, but from what I can see, there’s always going to be a void in me to fill that wants to create. I enjoy bike riding, and find it lends a hand toward some clear and reflective thinking. That time pushed me to realize I should figure out my priorities now, and get to work.
Amy: I’ve seen you behind the kit, with a guitar or two and on the mic. Rhoseway, whether you are performing as a solo electric act, or a 3-piece band, all the writing, arrangements, and production is done solo, by you. Can you elaborate a little more on this and your process for writing these songs?
Rob: They all tend to start in their own way. Many began with me sitting down on the kit and playing a rhythm I’m feeling in the moment, and building off of that. That’s been a little more comfortable. While playing, I try to picture what I want to hear melodically, such as a feeling or an actual note or progression. Then try to retain it, sing it to myself so it stays in my mind, and find the chords to fit what I hear in my head. This feels most natural to me probably because I started as a drummer, and being on the kit is a bit more of a homebase. My mind can wander a bit more while playing and think where I want a song to go, and not focus as much on what I’m playing on the kit. The trick is remembering what I heard by the time I have an instrument in my hands, and begin piecing something together.
I have a small studio I track everything in, engineer and mix everything myself. I guess you could say it’s a hindrance not having someone else in the room telling me “don’t do that”, but that’s just where I’m at now. I’m definitely learning more at a rapid rate. So much so that I recently tracked and mixed an album by a friend and artist called Josh Clevenstine, which was a great deal of fun and very satisfying to hear the end result of my work. It’s not perfect, but it’s genuine.
(Photo Provided)
Amy: Rob, you have had a busy 2023 and you are wasting no time in 2024 as you have your first show booked for next Thursday, January 11th at the beautiful Park Theater in Glens Falls, NY as a Trio: yourself on guitar and vocals, Steven Kirsty on Bass and Matt Neidbalski behind the kit. Anything you want to let the viewers know about this show?
Rob: I’ve been performing the Rhoseway material as a solo venture, and with a 3-piece band. Solo being more common. The guys in the band are active themselves. It’s a special thing to get the three of us together for a gig, let alone performing two sets at a venue like Park Theater. We look forward to stretching our legs a bit with this one. What we aim for with this gig is right in line with the vision of the live version of this project. There is a bit of improv and non-verbal communication among us. There’s a little more left on the line, more about the music and less about achieving a vibe, per se. I’m excited to see what we come up with together.
Amy: We just celebrated the end of 2023 and the start of 2024. Do you have any New Year resolutions or goals for yourself and/or Rhoseway for 2024?
Rob: “D.I.N. Do it now, son.” – McCartney
Hopefully you all enjoyed learning a bit more about Rhoseway, Rob Fleming and his many talents. I hope to see you all at Park Theater in Glens Falls next Thursday, January 11th at 8pm and please feel free to say hi – I’ll be behind the lens all night. Please feel free to explore more Rhoseway by clicking and following the links below.
