Rob Kovacs Shares "Fizzle" & "Here In The Future" from Upcoming Solo Debut Let Go (The Witzard Interview)
We first came into contact with Rob Kovacs very recently, as he was one of the primary driving forces behind Mega Ran & K-Murdock (Bits & Rhymes') Forever Famicom: Diamond Edition. Essentially, a re-mixed, re-mastered, re-released 10th anniversary edition of Bits & Rhymes' 2010 collaborative debut, Forever Famicom. For this Diamond Edition re-issue, EVERY in-game sample was meticulously and pain-stakingly re-played by the talented pianist Rob "88bit" Kovacs. Yes, Kovacs moonlights as 88bit, a project wherein he frequently re-plays and re-interprets popular Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) in-game soundtracks note-for-note across his ivory keys. Rob Kovacs is a multi-talented recording artist, professional pianist, award-winning composer, and singer-songwriter. He toured and released one record with the piano-based trio, Return of Simple, and started the Indie Rock band, Math + Logic, before embarking on a solo career.
Return of Simple released their debut, Saffron, way back in 2006 and most recently shared a digital single dubbed "2010 Vision Mix." After moving back from New York City, Rob Kovacs began working on a follow-up record, which would, eventually, become Kovacs' solo debut under his own name. Now, as Rob Kovacs has re-emerged as a solo artist, we're starting to see songs from said solo debut, Let Go, slowly trickle out into the world. Based off our previous connection through Forever Famicom, we were fortunate enough to conduct and publish a group interview with Mega Ran, K-Murdock & Rob Kovacs' coinciding with the album's Diamond Edition digital re-release this past August. Once we heard about Rob Kovacs' forthcoming solo debut, we reached out to his press agent with an interview request co-aligning with the album announcement and recent release of two singles. Below, you will see our second comprehensive interview with Rob "88bit" Kovacs himself. Let Go will be released on Friday, February 12, 2021 and is currently available for pre-order in a number of formats on Rob Kovacs' Bandcamp page.
I. After all these years releasing music as 88bit and as part of various bands, what made you decide to start releasing music under your given name now?
Rob Kovacs: I debated for a LONG time whether to release this upcoming album and subsequent albums under a band name. It's "Rock-band music," essentially. And it's recorded by a band. Though, I don't have a band currently, certainly not the kind where we're all rehearsing and invested and creating the music together. I wrote all these songs and worked with three excellent musicians who recorded the drums (Daniel Kshywonis,) bass (Charlie Trenta,) and guitar (David McHenry,) who definitely DID shape the recordings in a certain direction. But, ultimately, it's all songs I've written. And I have a lot more to record. I've been performing under my own name solo for years now. It finally felt right. But, man, I did fight it for a while. 😂
II. How does your music as Rob Kovacs differ from your output as 88bit?
Kovacs: 88bit is mainly note-for-note, classical-style piano arrangements of NES soundtracks. I do perform some other VGM [video game music,] as well, but the idea behind that project was strictly NES soundtracks; especially, lesser-known gems, re-created on piano. Also, I launched that project after being frustrated with trying to keep a band together while recording this album. 😂 The music I release under my own name, I intend to be my original songs or compositions. I have an all-Electronic video game soundtrack (STRAYLIGHT) coming out this next year, as well, which will be under my name.
III. What was the creative process like behind your debut solo track, "Here In The Future?"
Kovacs: I wrote this quite a while ago in the middle of a really confusing, electrifying, and painful relationship. And that was my mental state when coming up with the song. The piano part is based on a arpeggiated riff all played in the LH [left-hand]. I used that idea to compose the rest of the piano part, limiting myself to just using one hand. This limitation forced me to use harmonies and melodic lines that is different than any of my other songs.
As with most of my music, I spent a lot of time on the melody and lyrics. I wrote this back in 2007 and didn't, actually, being recording it until 2014. I, eventually, wrote a string quartet part, which I'd always thought the song needed and recorded that a few years later. The strings really add so much life and heaviness to the song.
IV. What was the inspiration behind your second single, "Fizzle?"
Kovacs: I wrote the melody for "Fizzle" in my car driving home after the first time hanging out with this one girl. I was smitten and hadn't felt this kind of connection with someone in a long time. BUT she was unavailable and dating someone else. So, the song is about the desire and longing to be with someone you know you can't be with.
V. For fans completely new to your music, what would you compare your lastest batch of musical output to?
Kovacs: Sonically, this album is more in line with artists like Sufjan Stevens, Ben Folds, Sun Kil Moon, [and] Bon Iver, but weightier and, at times, more aggressive.
VI. Will these aforementioned tracks be featured on a larger project, such as an EP, full-length album, etc.?
Kovacs: Yes! When I started recording this album, I started with 15 different songs and was going to pick the best ones for my first release. However, a couple of my personal favorites ("Here In The Future," "Bitter Memory") didn't fit with the vibe of the other songs. They were just weightier. I had a group of songs all inspired from this one very impactful relationship and I decided to make an album just on that subject. I had two other songs that were started during that same period that I later finished to help round out the album. It's titled Let Go and will come out in February.
VII. What were some of your primary sources of inspiration and influence while creating and recording this new music?
Kovacs: I had recently moved back to Cleveland from NYC, where I had learned a lot as an artist. There was an open mic at a bar called Bar 4 in Park Slope where I met so many wonderful people and song-writers. They were so good; so open and vulnerable and brave in their music. And no one was trying to be better than each other. They just tried to be themselves. That was a huge inspiration. Growing up, especially, in Cleveland, I often felt like an underdog and had to prove myself or be better than everyone else. That mindset pushes you to improve in one way, but it can, also, cloud your ability to truly connect with the feeling of a song you're writing. Musically, I was listening to a lot of LCD Soundsystem, Todd Terje, [and] Kyary Pamyu Pamyu; stuff that I don't think you'd at all here in this record. 😂
VIII. Do you have any immediate plans to ever meld your two worlds of original music (as Rob Kovacs) and more solo piano output (as 88bit) into one cohesive project, style, etc.?
Kovacs: Hm, not really. I see 88bit as a Classical music project. I would love to perform an 88bit concert at Carnegie Hall someday. I guess, I'd love to do a concert of my own music at Carnegie Hall, as well ha. Having arranged and learned a bunch of video game music the past several years for 88bit, that has certainly influenced the music I've been writing as of late.
The closest thing I do that brings both of those worlds together is weekly live streams on Twitch. It's a mish-mash of everything I do—VGM, Pop songs, originals, Classical, whatever. It's pretty fun and, also, freeing to be able to play whatever and see that people are enjoying the music. 🙂
IX. Aside from or in addition to "Here In The Future" & "Fizzle," what might you list as some of your personal greatest musical moments of 2020?
Kovacs: Great question! It's been a busy year! I started off the year performing several concerts at MAGFest, which [included] getting to perform music by and for legendary video game composer, David Wise. I was asked to record and perform a piano medley for the 2020 G.A.N.G. Awards. I worked with Mega Ran & K-Murdock to help create the Forever Famicom: Diamond Edition (which you know about it. 😉) I performed for numerous online events as 88bit—GDC Summer, PAX Online, Virtual VGM Fest 2.0/ULTIMATE, MAGWestn't, and many others. Recorded and uploaded the only piano version (to my knowledge) of the complete soundtrack to R.C. Pro-Am. Did a collaboration with 8-bit Music Theory on his video on Kakariko Village. Those are some highlights. 🙂
X. Do you currently have any plans for any additional singles, music videos, or anything of that nature to still be released this year or early next year?
Kovacs: Yes! There will be on more single in January and, then, when the album comes out in February, we'll, also, be releasing a single with a music video.
XI. How would you say your musical style and sound has grown and progressed since your first unofficial piano album recorded in 7th grade and passed out amongst your classmates?
Kovacs: Ha!!!!! Good research! I'm not totally sure how you found that. 😂 Man, it's changed quite a bit! THAT album was heavily influenced by people like, Jim Brickman, Kenny G, Yanni, and Jerry Lee Lewis. Every song was either a single left-hand baseline or chord progression that stayed constant throughout and, then, I'd play different melodies on top of that. Since then, I've studied classical piano, went to college, fell in love with minimalism, played in Rock bands, musicals, Contemporary Classical groups, etc. My music has words and vocals and more instruments and more chord changes and more depth and the songs are longer. So, yeah there's been some growth. 😂
XII. Since it's just about the end of the year, this seems like an appropriate last question to ask... what were some of your personal favorite releases of 2020?
Kovacs: Jacob Collier - Djesse, Vol. 3, Robbie ["Gwobs"] Benson - Chill Beats to File Your Taxes To, and [I'm] a bit biased, but Mega Ran & K-Murdock - Forever Famicom: Diamond Edition. Thank you, Matt! I appreciate the questions and your time!