Hello!
How are you?

I’m writing at nearly my favourite time of year on almost the best day of the week close to the best time of the day. What’s more it’s my birthday this week (Thursday the 12th, thanks for asking) so I’m in a pretty contented mood. There’s a kind of unease that comes with saying that given the extraordinarily challenging and confusing times we are all living through and I know that for many things are far from conducive to happiness and calm but I think we should take our feelings as we find them and celebrate the “little wins” that can present themselves even amongst the turmoil and angst.

As 2020 draws to a close I find myself looking back on the year and it is fair to say that it hasn’t gone the way I had expected or hoped. There’s a feeling of missed opportunity and exciting things put on hold. At the end of 2019 I signed up with an acting agent and after taking a break to get married in January I was being submitted for castings just as lockdown 1 happened and that whole industry had to pause. Slowly things are waking up and I’m hopeful they will pick up again in 2021. Likewise my joint headline tour with Minnie Birch was going wonderfully well; we were halfway through our run of gigs, playing some sold out shows and really hitting our stride when live performances had to stop indefinitely. Of course we can pick all that up again and play the remaining gigs just as soon as safe and practical, but when will that be? Similarly shows with The Improlectuals had to stop and at the moment there are no plans as to when they can start again.

The film I was acting in and doing the music for, Sam and Dan Get Lost, was about two filming days away from finishing and is now on an extended hiatus (if it’s good enough for James Bond…) but given it’s a small cast and crew there’s a real possibility that can be completed soon so I’m hopeful it will be available to watch in the spring.

Given these enforced breaks on some exciting projects, has the year been a washout? Well no, not really. I’ve taken the time to try some creative projects I’ve had in mind for a while but felt too busy to investigate (you really find out if you want to do something when the excuse of “no time” is removed.) I’ve also had the freedom to respond to opportunities I might otherwise have discounted for similar time reasons. In no particular order these have included; some short stories, a short film script, a TV sitcom pilot, a pitch for a radio drama, an article about creativity and most taxing of all; an Arts Council bid. I’m aware that most and maybe all of these will go nowhere whatsoever but I’m happy with that.

How do you reflect on this year, highs and lows?
I'm keen to know

Some stuff for you to enjoy...

Latest podcast episode; Ben S. Hyland
The Robert Lane Creative Careers Podcast is a year old this month and there have been over 40 episodes. The latest features a conversation with comedy writer and director Ben S. Hyland. If you haven't listened to the podcast yet I must ask where you've been... it's a year and 40+ episodes old! Don't worry though you can hear all of it right here.

Free Christmas song
Follow this link to a free download of Season Bright, my Christmas song with Emily Ewing.

Latest Youtube video
A cover of Blackbird by The Beatles

New Merch
There's some brand new merchandise available now including t-shirts, tote bags and beanie hats (it would be great to see some heads warmed by these this winter) as well as all my music on CD and download.

Check them out! All sales help me make more music.

Until next time
Take care, and try and celebrate the little wins, however small. Stay in touch, and let me know what you think of the podcast, the Christmas song and anything else you want to chat about.

Robert

Robert Lane
Paterson Joseph on Robert's Podcast

On the latest episode of his podcast Robert talks to actor Paterson Joseph about writing and performing Sancho: An Act of Remembrance his solo play about Ignatius Sancho, as well his work in iconic TV shows including Peep Show and Green Wing. 

The discuss how acting is basically psychology and how it is impossible to know when something will be a massive success or almost ignored.

Robert Lane
Adam Horton on Robert's podcast

On the latest episode of his podcast Robert talks to TV producer and film director and writer Adam Horton. Adam discusses his work on the Graham Norton Show where he was responsible for the pre-interviews for iconic guests like Harrison Ford and the Monty Python team. He also outlines the process of co-writing and co-directing films with his brother Joe and the highs and lows of independent film making.

Spotify https://spoti.fi/3bQN0WD
Siticher https://bit.ly/3dNq5xj
apple https://apple.co/3aFUwDE
website  https://bit.ly/31La8V3

Robert Lane
Fatea Magazine review of Listen In

Thanks to Fatea Magazine for this great review of Listen In.

Born from a writing session with friend Matty Pinfield, with a title inspired by an NCO from his younger days in the Air Training Corps, Listen In is the deeply personal new single from Robert Lane. While originally written almost as a plea to listen to his music and creative endeavours (including his fascinating Podcast Robert Lane's Creative Careers), it soon took on a deeper meaning. The themes of insecurity and inadequacy are still very much there, but with most of the world seemingly failing to listen, this feels very much bigger than one mans' self-doubt. Lane's Only A Flight Away was one of the best releases of 2018, and Listen In is certainly on the same level, and raises the anticipation levels for a new album to breaking point. There is something quite irrepressible about the new track, and not only will you want to Listen In, you'll want to do so repeatedly.

Robert Lane
Amy Coop on Robert's podcast

On the latest episode of his podcast Robert chats to film and TV writer and director Amy Coop who has worked on TV programmes including Hollyoaks, Doctors, The End of the F***ing World as well as multi award-winning short films such as ‘Epitaph’, ‘A Little Bit Country’, ‘The Treehouse’ and ‘Annabel Lee’.

Spotify https://spoti.fi/3bQN0WD
Siticher https://bit.ly/3dNq5xj
apple https://apple.co/3aFUwDE
website  https://bit.ly/31La8V3

Robert Lane
Make a Listen In ultimate mixtape

It’s release day for Listen In! I’m so excited to share this song with the world. It’s rather personal and I’m proud of it (not easy for me to say) I’m asking everyone to make the ultimate mixtape playlist on Spotify/Apple etc. Call it “Listen In” and use my new song Listen In as the first track. Then chose some songs that you love and want the world to hear. Send me a photo or tag me in a post and I'll share your playlist. Prize for my favourite playlist. Thanks!

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Robert Lane
Pre-save Listen In
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Robert’s new song Listen In will be released on the 1st of August. It would mean a lot to Robert if you would pre-save the track as it helps it get more reach on release day.

Thank you

Here's a bit of background about the song;

When it was recorded it was about asking people to listen in to me and my creativity.  The lyrics explore themes of insecurity and inadequacy about one's place in the world, and I was also using it as a message to yours truly to stop comparing myself to others so much and enjoy what’s happening in the moment.

As we collectively began to go through the last 3 months the song took on a whole new meaning to me. I feel it reflects the fact that we should all listen to each other more as everyone is struggling in their own way through the pandemic and lockdown. It feels like most of the world is on “broadcast” rather than “receive” and we aren’t really seeing or hearing each other in a healthy way. 

Robert Lane