We recently connected with Rob DeSantis and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Rob, thanks for joining us today. Did you always know you wanted to pursue a creative or artistic career? When did you first know?

Probably in the 8th grade. That’s when I really became interested in learning to play music. I wanted to be like the bands I was being introduced to via peers, MTV, and my big sister. I also grew up on my parents records, very early on i was into the Beatles and rock and roll. Also have to credit shell gas for putting out a tape series called “cruising to the oldies”.
My dad had a 65′ Goya acoustic guitar and a 12 string guild guitar in the closet from his hippie years at Kent state where he met my mom. I never got lessons from him but I was allowed to play with them. When I turned 14 I conned my mom into buying me a drum set, she even endured me having my two guitarists friends over to start our first band. I’ve never settled on a favorite instrument, I played drums, bass,guitar, tried as a lead singer for a hot minute. Spent many years, usually starting original bands, sometimes joining them, never cared to be a human juke box, cover band guy. I was always in it to be creative 100%. I always knew “making it” in the music industry had about the same chances as being struck by lightning, so I’ve always worked “a real job”, but never stopped playing because I’m passionate about creating.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

So after a little over two decades of gigs I realized there was one thing I had not tried, I love rockabilly rythms and surf guitar and wanted to start a band to play one or the other. I purchased an upright bass and had been teaching myself how to play it but didn’t have an outlet, I knew this punk drummer from around town and he just so happened to be interested in starting a surf band, but we wanted to do something different, not just covers. So we found d a guitarist and BOOM covid hits. So here we are everyone is in isolation and whatnot, we decided to take the time to hit the tool shed and write music. When things started to get back to normal we started playing select shows, with this weird marriage of rockabilly and surf music with a spaghetti western vibe that sounded old and familiar, yet not exactly your grand dad’s music ,with no singer and no idea if this would work. Funny thing is there is a weird niche market for music you can dance to. Who knew?! Next thing you know were doing shows with burlesque performers, swing dancers, and go-go dancers, Festivals full of hot rodds, pin up girls, and some of the best bands to play this kind of music. It seems like a happy accident that it’s all come together as it has, but we’re booking shows that pay for us to record our music, we still have to get up and go to work on Monday, but we got the live the dream for the weekend and we’re about to release our 3rd record in 5 years. I’d call that a success.

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

Seeing people enjoy what we are putting out there. Seeing my drummers grandmother kick her shoes off to cut a rug like she’s 20 again. Seeing toddlers bounce around and dance, watching people gain the courage to learn to swing dance when they’ve always been the wall flower.

In your view, what can society to do to best support artists, creatives and a thriving creative ecosystem?

Go to the show! Support artists! Tell your favorite venue you don’t need to hear the same cover band play mustang Sally every Saturday night, Take a chance on supporting people that make music that could be the next mustang Sally. Buy the t shirt, buy the record, download the new tunes and dance to them while you do dishes and laundry. Dance like nobody’s looking.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://Thepatinaturners.net
• Instagram: @thepatinaturners
• Facebook: @thepatinaturners
• Youtube: The Patina Turners
• Other: Spotify, iTunes, youtubemusic