We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Ian Robinson. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Ian below.

Ian , looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Let’s start with the story of your mission. What should we know?

My mission has always been about one thing: Liberation. Be it social, personal, political. The music I create has always been from the perspective of someone who doesn’t know their place and constantly told on how they should behave or what to do with their life.

A lot of what I write about is about me coming to terms with my reality. And my reality is I’m a black male with mental health issues trying to make it in an industry/music that looks down upon me & trying to survive in a society that constantly condemns, kills, and uses black folk for their own personal gain.

I’m not trying to be like anyone else. I don’t want to shrink myself down to be what someone wants me to be. I want to be me and do the things I love doing.

I hope through my own struggles, people can relate and find themselves in certain aspects of my lyrical themes.

Ian , 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?

Growing up, I was exposed to a lot of different music in the car on my way to school. My mom had stuff from Buena Vista Club, Beatles, Prince, Tupac, Queen and a lot more.

When I reached Middle School, that was when I first found my musical identity. I discovered Green Day, Fall Out Boy, My Chemical Romance, and Taking Back Sunday literally all in the SAME day. I was attending Catholic School at the time, so I dealt with a lot of rules and judgement. When I fond those bands was this loud, rebellious nature that really just told me “be yourself”.

A Year after that, I asked my mom for a guitar and just started learning as an outlet for me to let out steam but also a fun hobby.

Come high school, I got into Jazz Band and fell in love with a whole world of pop punk. The caveat is….. you’re the one “weird” black kid in high school who listens to this stuff actively. That leads to a lot of bullying, teasing, and a whole lot of teachers not helping/listening to you. I remember vividly, someone stole my guitar (I still don’t now who), and cranked called me saying “pay $500 and its yours”. A lot of this happened my freshmen and sophomore year. That pushed me to start writing my own music, and finding my escape through punk. I didn’t have many friends at the time, so I locked myself in my room and put on records that made me feel safe or at least someone who understood me.

College came around and I tried to start bands and projects with people. My 2nd year. I questioned of I should even pursue music anymore. The bands I listened to didn’t relate to me anymore. I couldn’t find anyone to play with. I wanted to give up.

My friend, Kate Goff, showed me an artist named Frank Turner, and invited me out to one of his shows in Baltimore. That show from the minute it started and the second in ended had me entranced and led me to say to myself “This is what I want to do for the rest of my life”. There was a righteous anger and sense of maturity that I needed.

The sad part about it was, everyone who I wanted to play music with either transferred to different schools or didn’t take it as seriously. A spark hit me, 10 years ago that said “I’ll just do it myself”.

I sat with my near & dear friend, Jeremy Kaler, and talked about me doing solo music. We joked around about the name “Black Guy Fawkes” as this like Afro-Centric Anarchist. He said that should be my pseudonym. I was hesitant but pushed me to do so.

10 years later…. Here I am. 5 records deep, and my once hero is now someone I get to call a friend.

Any insights you can share with us about how you built up your social media presence?

When i first started using social media, I was truly rubbish. I didn’t know what to do or post.

I think the most important piece of advice for social media, outside of typical advice (i.e post daily) is just be yourself. I think people will gravitate towards you for who you truly are. Post the stuff you enjoy. Be engaging, keep a sense of mysteriousness about you, don’t announce things until something is tangible/solidified.

How’d you meet your business partner?

So while I am Black Guy Fawkes and am indeed the one writing songs and am the captain keeping this ship afloat, there is a team of people behind me that keep me afloat as a person and are a part of this longevity.

The first few being my band, The Co-Conspirators. Corey Mackereth is my lead guitarist who you can find shredding on every record. Zach Dodge plays bass lays down some great harmonies.

Corey I met in 2017. We met digitally and one afternoon, I had him over my house to look over a few new songs I wrote, the rest was history. He’s been my ride or die since the near genesis. We’ve spent many car ride, beers, and stories together on & off stage. He’s more than just a band mate, he’s family at this point.

Zach I met around the same time period but we knew each other in passing. It wasn’t until 2019 when I asked him if he’d like to play bass. Then shortly after asking that….. a pandemic happened (Figures, right?), Zach has such well needed optimism and whenever I’m having anxiety (which is 85% of the time) over the slightest inconvenience, he’s there to calm me down.

Then,….. There’s Derek Shank. Derek produced every single Black Guy Fawkes record since Trying Times in 2018. The last full band Record, Live Love & The Bomb, and this upcoming one, he played drums. Derek I met back in 2017/18 and from the jump, hes been integral to the sound. Constantly pushing me to do better, constantly believing in what I have to say. No Judgement whatsoever.

Outside of the band, there is Matt Flood who runs Asbestos Records. Matt and I met in 2023 over social media. He heard my latest record, Intrusive Lullabies, and messaged me about signing me to his label. Since then, he’s been a person to help me stay levelheaded, understand the business side a lot more, And again, pushes me to be better in every way. Without him, at this juncture in my career, I wouldn’t have the opportunities I have. And I thank him.

Each person I just mentioned are integral to why Black Guy Fawkes is where it is today. They’re family, they’re friends, they’re co-conspirators, and they help keep this project afloat.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/blackguyfawkes?igsh=MXB1bXBlbmdvOHQ3MA%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
• Facebook: https://Facebook.com/blackguyfawkesmusic
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/@blackguyfawkesmusic?si=XwQv7OyUSq0Zx8N2
• Other: https://open.spotify.com/artist/2CLv7WxHrEKWQm8XndQtDC?autoplay=true&source_application=google_assistant