Today we’d like to introduce you to Rob Stark.
Hi Rob, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Hum Ripple started as a passion project but was almost destroyed by the pandemic. Shortly after venues started to book live music again, the Hum Ripple Facebook page was asked to play the legendary Aisle 5 in Atlanta. Even tho the band was technically no longer a band, I had friends I was playing with, and this wasn’t the kind of opportunity to pass on. Kristina, Danny, Jeff, and I decided we would go for it. We rehearsed every day for a month, learning the old songs learning covers, and writing some new ones. Not only was this a great venue to play for our first gig, but we sold 50 tickets on our own. That might not sound like a lot but trust me when it’s your first show, that’s a good turnout. Not only that, but the previous bands couldn’t sell 1 ticket, let alone 50. After that gig, we got asked to do more, so we obliged. 7 months later, we were asked to play Smiths Olde Bar, another legendary venue in Atlanta, where we sold over 100 tickets. Not bad for 6 months as a band. Skipping forward to Knoxville a while back, I sent a booking request to Scruffy City Music Hall, and to my surprise, we ended up with back-to-back weekend shows. The people in Knoxville seem to love us, and we couldn’t be more grateful. We are returning for the third time on February 17 at Union Place. All that is to say, it’s been an amazing year for us, and we can’t wait to see what comes next!
We all face challenges, but looking back, would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It’s ruff when you’re grinding your way up to the theatre and festival circuit. The hardest thing Hum Ripple has ever done is drive 12 hours to Indianapolis in a compact SUV for 40 dollars. We don’t complain, though, there’s a reason most bands don’t make it, and that’s it. This is hard to do, and it’s a long way to the top if you want to rock and roll.
Thanks – so, what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I’m the Singer and Guitarist for Hum Ripple. Our band is a diverse cast of characters, but we fit like a glove. I’m most proud of our willingness to sacrifice and work for each other, you know, be there for each other.
Networking and finding a mentor can positively impact one’s life and career. Any advice?
Support your local music scene. Don’t go into it looking for opportunities; that stuff happens on its own. Remember everyone plays, be grateful and cherish your craft to support others, and they will support you.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/
- Facebook: https://fb.watch/fdVHKZuErg/
- Twitter: https://open.spotify.com/track/2w80QZqbKf1NqtUSJ6mVtT?si=OdULMeHER0-S-Hrs_3H9gw
- Youtube: https://youtu.be/nYGy8qMfz08
Image Credits
@smilingeyesmedia
