Earlier this month we posted Bluey Robinson's debut music video “I Know” and since then people have been asking me all about him. Well the truth is I had only discovered him for myself around that time. It is great to finally see a hot talent emerging from the UK, after what I think has been a dull few years for British R&B. Bluey though is at the forefront of the new generation of UK R&B and earlier this week I linked up with him for an interview to find out more…

Bluey thanks for joining us, how are you doing?

I’m alright, just a busy day in London. I’m good man

Lets get straight to the music, “I Know” your current tune is making waves online at the moment, can you tell us about it?

I was in the studio with Labyrinth, he produced it. He already had the instrumental together, he played it to me and I really felt it and it kinda spoke out to me. At that time we were still trying to find out what my sound was, we were still experimenting with different styles and that beat really stood out. Then we wrote it, we spent a whole day writing it and then we played it to both our managers and everybody loved it. It was a good vibe from early man.

And what about video, what is the story behind that?

The video, we had a few different concepts for and brainstormed a few different ideas. We took our ideas to Luti Media, who have worked with some of my friends and the director Luke had a good vision for it. Luke’s vision related to the concept I had. The video is creative, artistic and you can take what you from it. We want people to come up with their own conclusions, even though we have an underlining story.

From everyone I’ve played it to “I Know” has been getting very good feedback, when will it be out?

August 19th, But I was speaking to Zeus and we might push it back. The video is going to be out this Friday and will start circulating the music channels.

And when can we expect an album?

The album will be released sometime next year; we’re still on it. It is crazy because loads of people have been asking about the album and I’m like “wow I haven’t even released anything yet and people are asking for me album”. Like I said we are still working on it, we are about 8 or 9 songs in. Every time we come up with something new, something else doesn’t sound right, so we try to come up with something else and fit it all together. We try to make it all perfect. It is going really well though and I’m really excited. The title will probably be “The Rising Sun” or “Weirdo”. (laughs). We’re working on it, we’re working on it.

And who are some of the producer’s working on the album with you?

Like I said before, Labyrinth. He is just crazy talented, he is my age and can play every single instrument. He’s just a genius; he’s the main producer. Other producer’s we may be working with are Blair (who has worked with Lilly Allen and Will Young), Fraser T. Smith (who has worked with Craig David and Kano), and a production company called MI7. Also Ryan Leslie will hopefully do something on there as well.

There was a rumour going around that you were signed to NextSelection but Bally set me straight and told me you are with the London Village Group. Bally did mention you worked with Ryan Leslie?

I can tell you Ryan is doing a remix to “I Know”. He has done an instrumental and two verses for it, which I have heard. There will be some further production to it, and that will be a part of the single package on iTunes, most probably. We will work on something new eventually, just when the time is right, innit.

Staying with NextSelection and Ryan for a minute, A lot of our American readers are very excited by “I Know”, are there any plans to crack America?

I am really pleased “I Know” has got a lot of good recognition by the small number of people who have heard it, so hopefully it will appeal to the masses. I am looking at myself to appeal international and to aim high. Eventually and when the time is right I would love to try America, why not? Right now though I am not rushing things.

Now lets talk about the infamous videos on Youtube of the singing on the subways around the world. How did that idea come about?

Well we always had the plan to do something online, because everything is Internet these days. Nowadays artist’s don’t necessarily have to do open-mic nights or gigs all over the country anymore. So me and Zeus were going over our own ideas on how we can generate our own buzz organically and naturally. A lot of people nowadays just sing on Youtube in front of the camera, but we wanted to go out to the people and see what reaction we would get. We had a few different attempts, we done one in Trafalgar Square and it just didn’t work out because it was too noisy. Then we came up with the idea of going into the Underground because the sound is more contained. At first I was like “nah” because it is too compact, you know? Then when we got down there I thought to myself “If I don’t do it now, I’m not going to do it”. So we just went for it. It was really fun and videos turned out so dope. People really picked up on it and plays on Youtube went up so quickly, from there we knew it was generating interest. Then we went to New York to see what their reaction would be because New York is a completely different vibe. When went down there people were already singer, so our plans had to change and I ended up having to sing with the people already performing. Then we went to Paris and done the same. People started clapping and the next thing you know we are on the train performing. That video has not been released yet so keep a look out for that

What I did notice watching them videos, especially with the one is Paris was that the trains seemed to just stop. Did you have to do several re-takes?

No, I was one take. The whole team are a bit crazy, we get excited and do random things.. We decided to just do it and we did it. Weirdly the train just waited. I guess we were lucky (laughs)

Now in a couple of the videos you sing Stevie Wonder tunes, obviously he was a big influence on your career? What other artist influenced you while growing up?

Boyz II Men, Queen, Freddie Mecury, Jackson 5, Coldplay, Outkast. It is hard for me to say which music influences me in particular because my style is all over the place. I am a chameleon, I just like music really.

And what about now, what are you listening to a lot of at the moment, if you have time to that is…

I was just listening to Pharrell, I like Muse and I like listening to Disney soundtracks. I would like to do an epic song like that one day. I like a lot of classical stuff, Motown, Marvin Gaye.

Are there any R&B aritst’s you are into at the moment?

Ryan Leslie (laughs), for me R&B these days is getting a bit too pop; I don’t hear the soul in it anymore. I like listening to Jaheim, Joe and Blackstreet, stuff like that.

So the single “I Know” is coming out August 19th, will you be doing any gigs around anytime soon? And if so where can our readers find you performing?

I have got a gig coming up soon at YoYo’s, at Notting Hill Arts Club on September 3rd, that is my next gig. For the moment we are trying to finish a few more songs in the studio and build up a bit of a following so people do actually turn up when I have a gig!

Ok so you are performing September 3rd, Bluey Robinson thank you for your time today, it’s great to see a new exciting UK artist, all the best

Thanks I appreciate it!