An Interview with a Session Musician – RJFH Music

We thought we’d get a different angle today on the music industry and roles that are within it and managed to get some questions over to Robert Fulton-Hamilton. Rob is a session musician based in South Derbyshire, England. With over 20 years of experience in the industry Rob is no spring chicken to the world of session musicians. More information can be found at www.rjfhmusic.co.uk about services and rates.

 

How did you get started in music, and what instruments do you play?

ROB: How’s it going, my name is Rob from RJFH Music and I play Guitar, Vocals and Bass. I’ve always been surrounded by music since I was a young lad, and my earliest memory dates back to seeing Jack Black in School Of Rock and thinking if I learnt to play guitar people would think I was cool. That didn’t happen, but at least I can play guitar now!

Who were your musical influences growing up?

ROB: I had quite a broad up bringing with music between my mum and dad. My mum introduced me to the likes of Abba and Wham! then through my dad it was everything from Queen to Rainbow. He then made the mistake of showing me Iron Maiden describing Heavy Metal as just ‘noise with no melody’. I quite liked it to be fair! However, the biggest influence for my music probably came from my sister who always seemed to have the coolest taste in music and all I wanted was to be as cool as her. She was responsible for getting me into Bullet For My Valentine, Fall Out Boy, Panic At The Disco, and it all spiraled from there.

How did you become a session musician?

ROB: I’ve been performing in bands for almost half my life. There’s nothing I take greater passion from than performing music live and in the time I’ve performed in bands I’ve met some incredible people and musicians. This way I’ve managed to build up relationships and something of a reputation that I’m reliable, dependable and won’t half arse any performance. After depping for a few bands I decided it was time to setup my website, my brand and have my portfolio on display with the hopes I’ll get to work with more fantastic musicians.

>> CLICK HERE TO VIEW PORTFOLIO << 

What do you think are the essential skills for a session musician?

ROB: If I was to pick just one skill for being a session musician, I’d say you’ve got to be reliable. Even in my younger years I’ve worked with ‘session musicians’ who said they’d learnt the set list and would rock up to practice playing completely different parts to what had been written. I always see that if I’m working for/with a musician, you must put ego aside and do what is being asked of you to their expectations. Turn up prepared, knowing your parts inside and out. You have to turn up to the rehearsal with part of a mindset that ‘I am representing this band/artist’.

How do you prepare for a recording session/live performance?

ROB: Anyone who’s gigged with me knows I have my own little warm up routine. Even before sound check, I make sure I’ve ran through my guitar warm ups to a metronome in private and often find a quiet area for my to pop my headphones on and do my vocal warm ups. Even my vocal students have experienced the joy of singing ‘Mummy Made Me Mash My M&M’s’ without feeling a shred of shame! General body warm ups have an immense impact too in getting myself ready to perform. I also try to drink lot’s and lot’s of water before performing and having a flask of lemon and ginger tea to keep me going!

>> FOR MORE INFORMATION ON VOCAL COACHING SERVICES VISIT HERE << 

What are some of your favourite genres or styles to play in sessions?

ROB: I’ll always be a metal head through and through! That’s the genre which comes to me naturally. But honestly, I love to be challenged. As much as I am a metal head, I can’t help but admit the style has stagnated and it’s much rarer to find artists doing unique creative things. Lot’s of other genres of music are doing much more interesting things such as Blues, Latin and Jazz that I think Metal could do with borrowing more from.

What are some common challenges you face as a session musician?

ROB: Organizing my time haha! There’s shamefully so many times I’ve put off learning songs that I’m supposed to be learning and realised that time is running out and I need to get my head down. As much as you must be prepared, you also have to be willing to make a bit of a tit of yourself. Playing wrong parts or messing up. I’ve been humbled a few times and have had to learn it’s all about how you recover that matters most.

Can you share any memorable or challenging projects you’ve worked on?

ROB: I recently featured on a friend of mine’s latest single ‘Heartline’ from Olly E Music. The song was reminiscent of that early 2000’s Nu-Metal style. I’d just released my cover song ‘Katy Perry – E.T (in the style of Slipknot)’ and he asked if I could perform vocals for the verses on his track like what I did in that video. He asked if I could dial it back slightly, so it was more like an aggressive rap style vocal. I’ve never explicitly considered that I can do rap style vocals, but this experience was incredibly fun. The attention to detail, annunciation, rhythm and delivery is a true art form that I’d love to explore further. I’ve also known Olly for several years since we were in college together and know he has a real attention for detail. So, I had to make sure it was good! Luckily, I got it right in the first draft, so I was quite pleased about that.

Can you share an instance where you had to quickly adapt to unexpected changes during a session?

ROB: One of the most exhilarating experiences I’ve had was doing the Band Jam Night in Derby thanks to Gez Addictive who invited me as a stand in for their House Band. Essentially, musicians/bands can turn up and request to perform a couple of songs at this open mic event. But some people will show up and ask the House Band to perform some songs. You then go back-stage and learn all of their song choices as quick as possible (assuming you don’t know them). It made me realise how vital it is to know your instrument and be quick to adapt to learning new material. I had to learn 2-3 songs in the space of an hour or so, and thankfully they were not too difficult. I was informed it wasn’t quite a trial by fire for my first time!

What has been the most rewarding project you’ve worked on?

ROB: One of my favourite bands to work with has been Telford legends Recall The Remains. I’ve depped for them 4 times in total, 3 with guitar/vocals and 1 on lead vocals. They’re honestly the loveliest and most wonderful musicians to be around, full of charisma and just beautiful human beings to be in a practice room and on stage with. They asked me earlier this year to perform on guitar and vocals for their Battle Of The Bands final at Satans Hollow in Manchester. This meant learning 6 songs on guitar, including vocal harmonies. I wasn’t even thinking that this was a Final for a BOTB event, I just wanted to not let the lads down and play their tunes as if I was a member of the band so nobody would question if I was in the band or not. So, it was abit of a bonus that we went on to WIN the final of that BOTB event!

 

What advice would you give to someone aspiring to become a session musician?

ROB: Do it, do it, do it. Don’t wait around. You have value, and you have skills that somebody else will be willing to pay for. Don’t sell yourself short, and don’t do anything that’s worth ‘something’ for free. Value your time, value your skill set and be open to the different avenues available to you as a musician. As an old colleague once told me ‘say yes to any opportunity, because then you’re forced to figure out how to do it’.

>> IF YOU’D LIKE TO KNOW MORE ABOUT SESSION MUSICIANS CLICK HERE <<

How do you continue to grow and develop as a musician?

ROB: Being a fantastic musician is not enough these days. You must be passionate about social media, filming, editing, mixing etc. Sometimes growing as a musician means creating multiple learning methods which can help demonstrate and reach new audiences with the musical ability you have.

Are there any upcoming projects or collaborations you’re excited about?

ROB: I’ve recently linked up with Jacob Collins from Recall The Remains to release my Christmas cover ‘WHAM! – Last Christmas (In the style of LORNA SHORE)’. It’s was out on the 19.12.24 on my YouTube Channel and it’s as spicy as the title suggests!

>> VISIT ROBS YOUTUBE HERE <<

What lessons have you learned from working in the music industry?

ROB: You’ve got to make friends. Genuine links and relationships with people to create a supportive network for everyone involved. The industry is full of incredibly shitty and snaky people and it fucking sucks. But you should work hard to find your tribe, and people who genuinely support what you do and can be open and honest with regards to feedback and offering your advice.

Are there any genres or styles you haven’t explored yet but would like to?

ROB: I wouldn’t mind going a bit deeper with understanding Jazz form and harmony. Only to be used for evil.

Finally, as a bonus question why don’t ghosts fall through the floor if they can walk through walls and glide downstairs?

ROB: Cos their dad sells Avon.