Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Rob Kempton. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Rob, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Can you talk to us about a project that’s meant a lot to you?

My band Curver is currently wrapping up our first EP, and after an amazing run of highly curated shows, we’re excited to release the EP to the world. Pivoting full-time to recording has allowed us to explore and fine-tune our tones for the upcoming release. We’re aiming for spring of next year.

Because I manage Curver’s booking and promotion, it’s incredibly satisfying watching these shows take shape. I book these gigs intentionally and often and with a lot of research (what’s their vibe and will they be a good fit)?

While I genuinely enjoy playing these songs live as the bassist, I view these shows as ways to build up our community and help create meaningful experiences.

Our debut EP will have a huge sound
I’m proud to have worked on. I hope we can extend the legacy and add
to resurgence of shoegaze and heavy alternative rock. Bands like Hum, my bloody valentine, Duster, and Narrow Head are just a sampling of our influences.

Rob, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

What sets Curver apart from a lot of other Baltimore bands are the tones we offer. While I appreciate indie rock as much as the next person, this project seeks to bring catharsis. Inundated with feedback and heavy distortion and punchy stops and starts, these tracks play with dynamics and thrust.

Our guitarist and vocalist Austin Gladney also uses a foot switch specifically designed to queue up samples he builds from scratch on his computer. People have even talked to me after the set about how the epic meandering trails of sound added to the vibe.

So much of Curver is built around the notion that when you come to a live set, you are met with something different than your usual run-of-the-mill rock show. This comes down to intentionality, something we prioritize every show we play.

What can society do to ensure an environment that’s helpful to artists and creatives?

Sadly our current economy has failed our creative ecosystem. Streaming platforms have all but taken away the compensation these artists demand. It’s why the live concerts are so important for the longevity of musicians and performers.

Buying merchandise and simply taking time from a busy schedule helps us continue to do the work we do. Given the current economy, I realize folks may not have the finances needed for admission, but I will always offer a guest spot if possible. If you can even spare $15 to buy a cassette or CD, you’re contributing directly to gas money. Every little bit counts.

We must double down and show up at these shows. See the local bands and always support touring artists. In turn, you get to keep something for the rest of your life.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

Being a creative allows me to best express myself. Whether through writing or music, creating helps me meet people where there are and speak to a moment. While personally rewarding, I never make something only for myself. I am always thinking of an audience and what they may want from a given project. It’s all about knowledge sharing and making something compelling, larger than myself.

The beginning of the project is most instructive, when the initial pieces align and build from a nascent idea to a fully realized piece. The magic happens in this experimentation and construction— going from your gut, and then the brain can edit that which is unnecessary or incoherent which lends to the best effort possible.

Being able to influence others or help them realize something new has always been critical, allowing others into my world.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/curvermd?igsh=MTU1enE5aWZ0dnV1cw==
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1Q73JYu9XL/?mibextid=LQQJ4d
• Twitter: curvermd
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/@curvermd?si=8FOCbJH1O-Z8OSoX
• Other: https://linktr.ee/curver?utm_source=linktree_profile_share&ltsid=90107692-bebe-465d-a501-606f5abaf9d1

Image Credits

Kateri Jade