Robb Cairns Interview Published on: 04, Aug 2025
Your work spans both music and literature — how does your creative process differ when composing music versus writing a book or poem?
While there are some similarities in the creative process between Music and Literature, there are indeed more differences when seeking to complete a final work. Oftentimes, my music compositions begin with a Musical idea. I then create a melody or chord structure that seems interesting. Sometimes, a title for a song or a certain phrase lends inspiration to the creation and genre of the composition. In a book or poem, I am usually trying to convey a specific message that evokes a particular mood or feeling on a certain subject or theme.
What first inspired you to start writing and composing? Was there a particular moment or experience that set you on this path?My Grandfather would sometimes recite humorous poems written by his own hand and by others, such as Lewis Carroll and Ogden Nash. So, while others in myEnglish classes in school would turn their noses up at Poetry of any kind, I enjoyed making rhymes and making it funny. Once I began to play guitar at the age of fourteen, I saw songs as simply poetry set to music.
You’ve released seven albums and have written extensively—how do you balance these two creative pursuits?To me, they are essentially the same—— an outlet for my creativity, just in different formats. Each of my seven album releases reflect a certain time in my life, where I was living, who I was dating, and what life challenges I was facing at the time. The same goes for my“Two Hearts, One Love” collection of poems.
Many of your written works blend humor, emotion, and insight. Do you find that humor comes naturally in your writing, or is it something you consciously weave in?Humor has always been a part of my character. Life is too crazy if you can’t laugh or enjoy the humor of everyday life. All it takes is Wit or Half-Wit. :)
Your music has been featured in both film and television. Can you tell us about one of your favorite projects or collaborations?My “PEACE” album was used as a soundtrack for a French TV show. I’ve written music for ABC The Bachelor, Animal Planet and CBS Sports.
When you’re writing, do you listen to music? If so, do you prefer silence or a specific genre to set the mood?When writing, I prefer not to have any music playing except what’s in my head. Music composition, I feed off of what I’m actually playing.
Who are some of your literary or musical influences? How have they shaped the poems in “Two Hearts One Love : Love Poems”?Some of the great songwriters I admire are: Paul Simon, James Taylor, Michael Franks, Bob Dylan, Joni Mitchell, Crosby, Stills & Nash, the Beatles, Francis Cabrel, Phil Collins, Elton John & Bernie Taupin, Neil Diamond, Van Morrison, and many others that influence my writing.
What do you hope readers and listeners take away from your work, whether it’s a song, a story, or a poem?I hope readers and listeners come away with a positive message or a good feeling that canmake their day.
Can you share a moment when a fan’s response to your work surprised or deeply touched you?One fan said one of my songs saved their marriage. I can’t ask for more than that!
How did you approach creating characters in your book, “The Room in the Mirror”? Did they emerge organically, or did you have a process for shaping them?“Room in the Mirror” was based on my childhood memory of looking into my parents’full-length bedroom mirror and imagining that I could enter that world on the other side. The characters were all made up, which inspired different poems. Only “15 line Poem” was based on an assignment that my son, Tim, had in school, and I wrote a poem about the assignment.
You’ve published your work on Amazon Kindle. What has your experience been like as an independent author?I am quite pleased with Amazon Kindle publishing. Of course, I would like to have greater sales but I realize the amount new works that are published on Kindle every single day makes it quite difficult. Just the fact that I can be published as an independent author is incredible and the “print-on-demand” structure is far superior to having to purchase 1,000 books and store them in a closet forever.
In your view, what’s the most challenging part of the creative process, and how do you overcome it?Getting inspired and then reacting to it by creating a song or a book.
Do you have a favorite piece you’ve created — musical or literary — and if so, what makes it special to you?I often like to go for walks in the woods or park near me and let my mind wander. It increases my creativity and opens up new avenues for writing.
What’s next for Robert Cairns? Any exciting projects or themes you’re currently exploring?I am in the process of writing my autobiography but am hesitant to write the last chapter!
When did you join AllAuthor? What has your experience been like?I joined All Author upon publishing my latest Love Poems book to gain more exposure and to expand coverage of all my previous books—“The Room in the Mirror”, Pub Sketches I & II, and the latest “Two Hearts, One Love” Love Poems.
