INTERVIEW WITH ROBERT LIGHTHOUSE
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4 May 2011 Robert Lighthouse © Marc Bouillon
Blues Can Light Up the House!
Different kinds of blues festivals have started all around Europe. Pubs and
clubs are filling up their lists of performers for the summer. Names on the lists
vary; some are well-known, some not so much.
What's best in all festivals and shows, is that they give you a best chance to
enjoy the unique and individual tones of different artists. And remember: pieces
of gold can be found where loads of money is not involved in promoting. One of
those names is Robert Lighthouse.
Ivan Robert Palinic was born in Gothenburg, Sweden on December 16th, 1963.
His first touch to the blues, at age 15, was his friend's blues collection. Robert
was working for a few hours a week in a music store and taking some acoustic
guitar lessons in school, so it didn't take much time to get this young guy hooked
to the blues.
Even though music was a big part of Robert's life already, he did his share of
studying before starting to travel around, searching for a place to stay and do
what he loved the most – playing the blues. After brief stops in Italy and
Germany, Robert ended up in Washington, D.C. back in 1987. It was there that
Robert started using the name Lighthouse. His family's last name used to be
Palikocha, which means "burning down the house". No wonder Robert thought
he could modify his name into one a little more positive...
Long story short, a guy met a girl from DC and they got married. Partly because
of that, it was easy to settle down in Washington, even though it might not be
the first city that comes to mind when thinking about blues Meccas.
- It's a great town... Hispanic neighborhoods, where you hear Latin music
blasting... fruit stands, where you can buy fresh mangos. The lady peels and cuts
it for you with a big machete. People from all over the world, and of course
African-Americans. The whole place is a paradox, wonderful and horrible things
intertwined, Robert describes his favourite city.
Blues Connection
All cultural colors have no doubt left their mark on Lighthouse's music, too. His
albums have received much critical acclaim. On the other hand Robert is known
for his lyrics, which include social criticism. Not all are happy about it. For example,
one of Lighthouse's songs, "Election Year 2008", was asked not to be played at
all in a certain bar. Robert admits it was a pretty straightforward protest song,
but also thinks blues music was always full of social criticism. Early blues only
shrouded this by using expressions and slang 'white' people didn't get.
- A good song could be written without offending anyone. In other words: you
bring people together, instead of separating them, with humor, heart and love. I
think it's more powerful than pointing fingers, says Robert.
- Music is a very powerful way of getting things across. You just have to do it on
a heart-and-soul level.
When starting his own career years ago, Robert played in the streets a lot. For a
skinny, white boy it felt great to jam with all those people from different
backgrounds. DC's hot nights in the summer felt like a party in the street all the
time. And what was best, you could see how music really works.
- Later I made friends with all the homeless panhandlers, shoeshine men, people
coming home from work and so on... The thing, playing in the street, is there
could be a lawyer and a homeless guy listening and talking for a while.
No barriers there.
Even Great Ones Have to Work Hard for Respect
It is quite common, especially in the States, that many talented blues musicians
are more appreciated in other countries than their own. Partly because the blues
is as common as folk music there. Robert thinks that attitudes have not changed
in the past years. There are just too many artists on the playground.
- Yes, back home playing in bars and clubs you're not that special. But when US
performers come to Europe, they are exotic, and because they are invited from
far away, Europeans want to treat them nicely and with respect. And in Russia,
sometimes you even get flowers after concerts!
Robert points out that gained respect doesn't mean the audience would be easy
to please. He thinks that because of numerous blues festivals, Europeans get
good touring acts all the time, and are not easily impressed. Maybe they are
even a little analytical.
- Of course part of respect depends on your level of popularity and how much
money you'll bring to the event. But luckily that's not all of it. And I think that's
why US artists are so great, they have to work really hard to stand out from the
rest. For example, George Jones started out with just an acoustic guitar and his
voice, playing to a bunch of drunken men in beer and whiskey halls.
To be famous and popular is not unwelcome for any musician, but Robert sees
that the American Idol kind of hype is not needed in blues.
- The blues got big in the 60's, and also in the 90's when Stevie Ray Vaughan
came along. Now it's marginalized due to this and that reason. But hey, Hendrix
took the Delta Blues and played it through Marshalls. And he was great!
On the Road
To gain respect you have to make yourself known. And to make yourself known,
you have to reach the audiences. As so many other blues musicians, Robert does
his work mostly by touring.
Instead of Washington, he has been in Sweden for a few years now taking care
of his son. Robert admits he misses Washington, but he thinks Sweden is still a
good place to raise a child. So it was reasonable to settle down there for a while.
- Yes, I miss the States very much and sometimes don't feel at home in Sweden…
But since I've been here, I have had a chance to play several times in Finland,
Norway, Netherlands, Belgium, and Germany. I have also toured in Russia seven
times, and I'm going there again in May.
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Where do you feel like home, Robert?
Robert Lighthouse has connections to several countries. His father came from the former
Yugoslavia and moved to Sweden in the 50's. Relations to Eastern Europe have been a strong
influence when planning tours to Russia. And now Robert has even started Russian language
studies. It's obvious he finds the country interesting and a pleasant place for touring.
- I love Russia. People are warm and very friendly. They also like a touch of drama.
That must be good for an intense performer like Lighthouse.
- My Maternal Grandmother was from Finland, her name was Liisa Valkonen. So I guess I have
a bunch of relatives there, too.
Robert says he has always felt very much home every time he goes to Finland. Well, at least
you can find some real Finn in him: he admits he enjoys swimming in an icy lake...
- I have had a great time touring in Europe. Scandinavia is very good too, but people drink until
they fall!
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Robert rarely tours with his own band, and that's why he uses to pick up bands
occasionally. He thinks it sometimes works well, especially when there's traveling
and a bunch of shows with the same guys. The group gets tight by time. And
there could be some pleasant surprises as well. Lighthouse remembers one from
Russia.
- I was supposed to play with a band called the Jumping Cats. When I was
setting up on stage, this very young girl came over and told me she was playing
the drums. I remember thinking "I hope she can play…" so I asked her if she
could play a shuffle. Actually, in the US, it's not always so easy to find a good
shuffle player. Anyhow, when she started playing at the sound check, she laid
down a nice, relaxed shuffle. I knew it right then that the night was going to be
great!
In Memoriam
Talking about DC and people who inspired Robert brings back memories of good
friends. The Washington Post told that, sadly, one of them passed away recently.
Robert remembers Ben Andrews (traditional blues singer and songwriter) with
warmth. He says he admired Ben because of his foot-stomping and a 'driving'
right hand.
He describes Ben as a musician, who could entertain big crowds by himself: that's
why he had big influence on Robert. They did some tours together too, in
Pennsylvania and West Virginia.
- He was telling stories and talking about music all the time, it was great hanging
out with him. I will miss him.
INTERVIEW BY PIIA LEINO
Pictures by Marc Bouillon
FACTS AND WEB
Robert Lighthouse is touring in Russia, from May 11th to June 2nd. The tour
starts from Barnaul, Sibiria. He can also be heard in Blues Festival, Arhangelsk,
May 28th – 30th.
www.robertlighthouse.com
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