I had an opportunity to catch up with Mike Robins a couple weeks ago. We recapped his career so far as a performer and songwriter, chatted about what he has been up to while quarantining in Toronto, and what we can expect from his solo debut.
Mike Robins is a familiar name on the Canadian Country music scene. Robins made his debut as half of the duo, Autumn Hill, where the band earned their spot on the charts with multiple top ten tracks and a handful of Juno and CCMA award nominations. Hit songs included “Anything At All“, “Can’t Keep Waiting“, “Mixtape“, and the CMT #1, “Blame“.
Robins pursued his second project as the front man for East Adelaide. East Adelaide had been a project in the making for a few years, and in 2018, when the time was right, he and bandmate Andrew Mackay released their first track, “You Don’t Get to Love Me”. A second single, Heaven was dropped in 2019. After performing through 2019, the East Adelaide chapter was closed, and Robins and Mackay began working on different projects. The pair are still good friends.
Today we’re excited to re-introduce Mike Robins as a solo artist, with his first single “Lightning Don’t Strike Twice” dropping this Friday.
Performing as a solo act has always been a dream for Robins. The progression of his career as a songwriter in a variety of genres, and performing with Autumn Hill and East Adelaide have all been part of the process and build up to this. Through these experiences he’s had an opportunity to take the time to craft something representative of him as a singer/songwriter just as him.
The response to Robins as a solo act has already been so positive, and people have been extremely supportive. He’s beyond thrilled to be able to share this experience and his debut as a solo artist. The time is right.
He’s been able to explore various avenues of himself as a songwriter and performer throughout the years and it’s all been pivotal to what we will see from his solo work.
In working on his craft as a solo act, he’s learned a lot. One thing that’s been instrumental to the process, is as a solo artist, he’s had the freedom go any direction. He’s writing for himself this time, and has really been able to take the blinders off, stretch, and try new things.
Quarantine is the topic of everyone’s 2020, so I had to ask Robins if he’s been taking up new hobbies, or taking it easy.
He, like many artists, feels pretty disconnected since he hasn’t been able to connect with people through performing this year. That being said, while he can’t wait to get back on stage to perform, people have been amazing, connecting with him through social media.
Mike has been spending a lot more time in the kitchen these days. When he’s not writing and recording new tracks, he’s perfecting a few dishes he’s been working on, from homemade bbq sauces to top chicken with caramelized onions and spicy sweet potatoes, to a variety of risotto dishes, and garlicless garlic bread.
His fiancee definitely appreciates his interest in cooking.
If you follow him on Instagram, Robins has also recently started a weekly Instagram Live series where he answers fan questions, plays some tunes, which include sneak peaks of what we will be seeing in the upcoming months, and the occasional feature of his french bulldog, who happens to be a crowd favourite.
At the Front Porch, we’ve been supporters of Mike Robins through the years. We’re so excited for his debut single “Lightning Don’t Strike Twice”, and what’s to come for Robins.
“Lightning Don’t Strike Twice” will be available Friday October 2nd, and you can pre-save and pre-purchase now!
Connect with Mike Robins on Instagram and Twitter.
In country music, the Front Porch has long been a place of reflection. A place where you can look at the life you have inside that front door. A place where time almost seems to stand still, where you can get away. It’s also a place where you can go to observe the world as it passes by you. To think about your place out there beyond the driveway.
