Rob Hotchkiss | Performance and Q+A | Talks at Google | Summary and Q&A

TL;DR

Singer-songwriter Rob Hotchkiss performs a selection of his new songs using unconventional guitar tunings during a live performance at Google.

Key Insights

• 🎸 Rob Hotchkiss developed unconventional guitar tunings to avoid having to tune his guitar between songs during live performances.
• 💨 Inspiration for Hotchkiss's new songs came from his desire to share his music with others and not keep it hidden away.
• ❓ Hotchkiss's songwriting has always had depth and meaning, focusing on important topics and personal introspection.

Transcript

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Questions & Answers

Q: How did Rob Hotchkiss come up with his unconventional guitar tunings?

Hotchkiss developed his unconventional guitar tunings out of necessity while in the band Train. He wanted to avoid tuning his guitar between songs during live performances, so he created different tunings for each song he wrote.

Q: What inspired Rob Hotchkiss to start writing new songs after a 10-year hiatus?

Hotchkiss's inspiration to start writing new songs came from the desire to share his music with others. He believes that if you write songs, you should put them in front of people rather than keeping them hidden away.

Q: How has Hotchkiss's songwriting changed since his early Train days?

Hotchkiss's songwriting has always had depth and meaning to it. He believes in writing songs that come from the heart and touch on important topics. His newer songs reflect his perspective on the world and the importance of treating others well.

Q: How does Hotchkiss determine when a song is finished?

For Hotchkiss, a song is finished when it comes to him fully formed. He believes in capturing the moment of creation and not second-guessing the songs he is given. Trusting in the initial inspiration is key for him.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Rob Hotchkiss, founder of the band Train, performs some of his new songs solo and with his wife Pamela at Google.

• Hotchkiss explains his unconventional guitar tunings and how he developed them to avoid having to tune his guitar during live performances.

• The songs performed include "Rainmaker," "Eggplant," "Blind Faith," "Gods Laughing," and "Glide."

• Hotchkiss discusses his inspiration for the new songs and how piano playing influenced his songwriting.