Inspired by the coast

For local musician Robin Lowe, the landscape of Bass Coast provides his biggest inspiration.

A drummer and percussionist (as well as a working paramedic), Robin has recently stepped out from behind the drum kit and moved centre stage.

Over his twenty years in music, he said he’s been lucky enough to play with many bands and musicians across a range of different genres.

“I’m most comfortable being at the back of the stage in the shadows playing drums and have only recently found the courage to step up and have a go at singing and song writing,” he admits.

“It’s been a little scary but at the same time it’s been fun and satisfying to find my voice and create a song from scratch.

“On the back of singing and song writing I’ve found the need to play an instrument that generates notes, so I recently picked up a guitar and have been trying to work out how to play it ever since.”

His debut single released last year called “Did you live a good life” was inspired by his work as a paramedic and the accompanying video featured spectacular images of Bass Coast captured from the air.

“Bunurong Coast”, his second single was released earlier this year, to coincide with the Coastal Connections Concert, alongside a series of short films showcasing locations throughout the region.

The “Bunurong Coast” single is accompanied by a video created by Robin, with help from Terry Melvin at TLC31.

The track was recorded primarily at the Dunes Studio in Inverloch with Dave Mathieson and mastered at Sunderland Studio by Dave Prideaux. Local musicians Leigh Owen (guitar), Jake Amy (Keys) and Dave Mathieson (Percussion) played on the track.

As an independent musician, Robin is working hard to make people aware of his new release.

Although there are no gigs currently scheduled to promote the single, it can be viewed on YouTube (https://youtu.be/S6coblh9m24) and is available to stream via the usual sites such as Spotify, Apple Music and YouTubeMusic.

“I’m not actively gigging to promote the release however I play and collaborate with various musicians and bands throughout the district,” he said.

“So one of my tunes might get a run if the moment feels right!”

With more songs in the works, he hopes to get back into the studio in the near future to record an album.

Coastal Connections

Robin was part of the successful Coastal Connections project, which held a launch concert earlier this year.

He explains how he got involved.

“The short film was sponsored by the Bass Coast Shire Council via a program called Coastal Connections.

“A lady involved with the Coastal Connections Program had become aware of my first single release and she flagged me as a potential candidate to become a music composer for one of the six short films that were on offer.

“There was a selection process. I ended up applying and was subsequently chosen to compose music for the “Bunurong Coast” film,” he said.

“At the time this came up I was on a mission putting together some songs for an album, so I decided to compose something that would tick the box for both the short film as well as being something that I could include on the album.”

All of the Coastal Connections short films were primarily shot and put together by Terry Melvin with music editing assistance by Dave Prideaux at his Sunderland Recording Studio.