Interview with Robbie Ellis

Robbie has shorter hair now. Really.

Friend of Musical Hotspot, Robbie Ellis, was interviewed recently by Renée Liang for New Zealand website The Big Idea. Robbie has a pretty varied musical background, studying, writing and performing music, as well as working on radio as a presenter and producer. He's also one of New Zealand's most experienced improv musicians.

Read the article "Cultural Storytellers: Robbie Ellis."

The interview gives a fascinating insight in to his thought patterns when underscoring a long improv story, especially the way he anticipates impending changes in the story, to allow for it in the music. (I can see only what is just barely around the corner; it sounds like Robbie can see down the street and clear in to the next suburb.)

The article was timed to help promote an improv show by NZ's ConArtists, a long-form musical called Austen Found - The Undiscovered Musicals of Jane Austen. Their season finished at the end of October, to rave reviews! I'm always ecstatic to see an improv show getting reviews in major or even minor press, and this show scored big, with positive reviews in The New Zealand Herald and NZ's National Business Review.

Congratulations on a great season, Robbie!