What’s your earliest memory of Sloppy Joe’s?
Right before I moved down here for good, I came down for Spring Break. I was 20, and I had a fake ID. My three friends who I was with were all 21, and they got right in. I handed the doorman my ID, which was my friend’s expired New Jersey license. He held it up to my face and looked at me, and he threw it into a bucket he had hanging from a hook next to him. I said “Hey, that’s my license!” and he said “You can either leave or I can call the police.” I tried to argue with him and he said “You didn’t hear me: you can leave or I can call the police.” I looked over his shoulder, and my friends were inside dancing to the band and chatting up some girls - it was a party! - and I was left standing outside, completely screwed without my ID for the rest of my Spring Break! I vowed to never set foot in there again but we see how that worked out.
How did you end up on the Sloppy Joe’s stage, and what is the secret to playing on it for over two decades?
I was working at the Pier House as a cook back in 2000. After my shifts I would come and watch the bands play at night and I always dreamed about playing on the stage there. My band, Prime Movers, was playing gigs around town. Bobby Gomez, the entertainment director at the time, came to me one day and said they would love to have us play here. He booked us for a week from 10 pm to 2 am. We quickly realized we didn’t play the right music for the late-night shift, and they cut us after two nights! The band and I were devastated, but Bobby said to me, “Brian, you have nothing to worry about. You have a big future here at Sloppy Joe’s.” Well, here we are today. I've been playing, both solo and with the band, since 2001!
Who are your musical influences, and how do they inspire your work?
I have always been influenced by bass players who sing: Sting, Paul McCartney, Greg Lake, and Peter Cetera, to name a few. I sing and play bass in Prime Movers, but I discovered years ago that if I wanted to be a solo performer, I had to play guitar. So, I started playing more acoustic guitar, and that’s how I play most of my gigs these days, playing solo acoustic at places like Sloppy Joe’s.
When not on one of many stages in the keys, what side projects or hobbies do you have?
I am currently recording an album of original music that is slated to be released in May, so that’s been a pretty big side project!
Are you going vinyl edition like all the cool kids these days are doing, and can we all get signed copies?
Do people still have vinyl records? (laughs) Right now, the plan is to release it on streaming, but maybe I’ll print a few on vinyl and sign them for my friends here.
Did I see your name on the list of artists for this year’s Key West Songwriters Festival?
Yes, you did! It’s something I’ve always wanted to do, and I’m really looking forward to it. Although I sing mostly covers when I play at places like Sloppy Joe’s, I do write originals. I have written almost sixty songs, and I’m really excited to be a part of the festival and have the Nashville songwriters hear my material.
How would you describe your songwriting style?
I would say that some of it is island-inspired. I also try to draw inspiration from songwriters like David Bowie, The Eagles, James Taylor, and Jack Johnson. I try to do a blend of acoustic, laid-back rock.
What comes first for you, lyrics or melody?
For me, I would say it’s the melody. I’m always singing into my voice memo app on my iPhone, and then I try to match a situation I’m living through to the melody. It usually takes a few days to get the ball rolling.
Without spoiling too much from your upcoming album, can you share the story behind one of your favorite songs you've written?
“All This Way” is my wedding song. Well, it's not MY wedding song, per se...but I have had the great opportunity to play at many weddings here in Key West, and I wanted to write a song about the experience people have traveling to Key West to get married. “All This Way” is my ode to people who pick this amazing place as their wedding destination.
What advice do you have for aspiring songwriters?
Always be aware of your surroundings. Take note of as much as you can and jot it down. Don’t think of an idea and not document it, either by writing it down or recording it, because they disappear. I have so many ideas that I thought were good at the moment that I didn’t write them down, and they disappeared. I’d probably have at least double the amount of songs if I had written every idea down!
If you were a musical superhero, what would your superpower be, and what would your theme song sound like?
My musical superpower would be to fly through the air and be able to sing and play guitar while I was doing it. People would be blown away! My theme song would, of course, be “..Believe it or Not (theme from The Greatest American Hero)” by Joey Scarbury
Only speak in rhymes or only speak in riddles?
Rhymes!
If we created an event, do you think the Sloppy Joe’s Foundation would raise more funds for charity by people voting to cut your hair or keep your hair?
(laughs nervously) Keep…, but I think I would leave town for that event!
Anything to add?
Sloppy Joe’s really is the best party in town! It’s the best place that I’ve ever played. I have made more connections with people here than in any other place I’ve ever played. The staff here is like my family. Everyone who works here really wants to be here, and it shows. I’ve played a lot of places, and I’ve only ever seen that here. I’m proud to play here, and it’s part of who I am.
Catch Brian Roberts live on the Sloppy Joe’s Stage on Tuesday and Wednesday weekly at Noon. Learn more about Brian, listen to some music samples, and more at https://brianrobertsmusic.com.
