DownTown Mystic have recently issued what perhaps is their strongest single so far. The title is Somebodys always doing something 2 Somebody and it is a blend of intelligent social commentary and pure rock and roll. The song presents all the things that the band is best at including sincere lyrics, catchy rhythm, and narrative that can be trusted over time. DownTown Mystic is a creative project of Robert Allen whose efforts have won him respect in maintaining the classic rock and providing it with a new and modern touch.
The song is made up of honky tonk piano, good guitar playing and a good rhythm section. Somebodys Always Doin something 2 Somebody is a natural encounter of inspiration and true expression. The song reflects on how human beings behave, and how we are always in the habit of accusing others, rebelling against authorities, and trying to find a way to relate with each other. The sound honors such legendary artists as Tom Petty and Bruce Springsteen and finds its own niche within the modern rock.
The single was recorded at Sha-La Music and features the performance of such talented musicians as Jeff Levine, Steve Holley and Paul Page. The song balances to become meaningful and at the same time very catchy. Robert Allen explains that the song was a commentary on the human condition and the themes are as old as the bible and most people can identify with them. Here, in this interview, he presents information concerning the meaning, the creative process and the commitment of this gripping new release.
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What inspired the title Somebody’s Always Doin’ Something 2 Somebody? There’s a real storytelling quality to it. What does it mean to you?
I think it’s a comment on the human condition. I was making an observation that I somehow managed to put in a clever way. Ping-ponging between somebody and something was just a gift. I used Adam and Eve to get to just how nothing has changed. People are always doing something to somebody. It’s as old as time and a universal truth.
Can you take us back to when you first started working on this song? What was the initial spark?
The song was created around the bass riff. I found this sound on a synth and thought it sounded so cool that I wrote the riff to it. Everything came from that.
Was there a specific moment or experience that inspired you to write this song?
No, I can’t remember anything specific. It was just the creation of the riff that inspired me to keep going.
How did this song come together? Did it happen quickly or did it evolve over time?
It was plain old inspiration. The song is built around the riff. I began to create a track with an arrangement I could write lyrics to. There was a certain vibe that was being created that kept pushing me forward working on the track. Once I had the track I had to write lyrics to it. It came about very quickly.
Were there any particular challenges you faced while creating this track? How did you work through them?
I don’t think there were any challenges. It was pure inspiration and obsession, and you just keep going until you’re done. Lol
Did you collaborate with other musicians or producers on this single? How did those partnerships shape the final sound?
I sent the demo to drummer Steve Holley and bassist Paul Page to learn for a recording session that was planned. When they came into the studio, they had the song mapped out and I kind of relearned it through them.
But for this song I also needed a keyboard player. Steve introduced me to keyboard wizard Jeff Levine, who was really the final piece in the puzzle. I had Jeff recreate that synth bass as well as put some B-3 organ on it for what would be a jam. The single is an edit of the longer original track.
He was playing piano on some other songs during the session, and I told him to try some piano on the track, which he did, and the rest is history.
Who or what influenced this song? Are there any artists or genres that inspired you?
I have so many different influences and depending on the song, I never know what’s going to come out. I think I was tapping into Jimi Hendrix for the guitar part, particularly his playing on his second album, Axis: Bold As Love.
Everybody thinks of his guitar style from his first album, which is kind of over the top. But I’ve always been a fan of Axis and his style of playing on that album. It’s more organic.
What has changed for you as an artist since your last release?
I seem to get more known with each release. The word is starting to get out about the music, which is very cool.
What do you hope listeners take away when they hear this song for the first time? What message would you like to share with fans who have been following your music?
I hope they get the humor in it and dig the vibe and groove. It should be an immediate thing. My music has a frequency and energy and I put it out to the world with a positive vibe. I hope fans pick up on that.
