Artist Spotlight: Two Burnt
Courtesy of Two Burnt
This week the Appalachian Preservation Project is proud to present Two Burnt as this week’s Artist Spotlight. Two Burnt is a North Carolina based band in the Hickory area who is using reggae to spread positivity through their community.
Tell me about your background. Who are you at your core? Why did you become a musician?
My name is Robert Simmons and I was born and raised in Hickory, NC. Since high school I have worked as a carpenter for S&S Aluminum, a three-generation family business. Thirteen years ago I picked up a guitar and taught myself how to play. During that time, guitar was a way to express emotion for me since I am very introverted. Live performances were tough in the early years, but over time I have learned how to engage the audience! Also having a few good friends with plenty of guitar experience helped shorten the learning, but like most musicians, I found an open mic night to play and grow with the local community. The Western North Carolina music community is amazing and every band I've played with has been a joy to share the stage with. The music and the community is my WHY. It's my passion to share music and help others step outside their comfort zone. With the formation of Two Burnt, I have a platform to spread a positive message through reggae.
How long have you been recording/gigging?
I've been playing in front of live audiences for 6-7 years now starting with my first solo bar gig where I played for three hours in front of new fans at Mcroskeys Irish Pub in Hickory. Over time, the gigs picked up significantly. Last year's schedule was full of 105 shows from Greensboro to Asheville. I've had the pleasure of performing with so many bands including Rob N Gibbs, Smoking D, Jon Boy and Lefty, The Famdamily Band, Sycamore Bones (Cory Kinal's songs, and me on drums of all things). I can't list them all, but am grateful that I had the chance to share music with so many different people.
Why did you begin pursuing professional music?
When the shows picked up and I started getting out to new places, meeting new people and sharing my music along the way, I started to see myself as a professional musician. I love it! The hospitality with free drinks and meals has its perks and it's fun to go on new adventures in new places. Within the reggae platform, I've had the ability to reach out and have the potential to open for bands that I grew up listening to, which is just amazing! Two Burnt has shared the stage recently with Kyle Smith, Sun-Dried Vibes and Carolina Vibes.
What is the most challenging part of recording/gigging? The most rewarding part?
Recording is a challenge and personally, following a metronome is impossible for some reason, but following drums live is no problem! With "Avenue Lane", Mark, Nate and I got the opportunity to be recorded at Appalachian State University inside their school studio in Boone, NC. It was part of their curriculum on studio recording and it was amazing to be part of. Avenue Lane is still kicking and it's my second band project. We have a song, "Wild Chance" on music platforms and some yet to be recorded including "She The One I Know", "Sugar Coated", "Shades" and "Story".
Unfortunately, Two Burnt hasn't had a studio experience mainly because of FUNDING. Please help us!! Our debut album "Liven Up" was recorded in the family company warehouse, DIY, then sent to Loud House Audio in Myrtle Beach, SC to final mix and master. Our buddies Treehouse from Myrtle helped so much! You can only learn so much so fast with recording, mixing and master. After all is said and done, you have a finished product that everyone is proud of and you can share it with the world. But this process is expensive. If you'd like to support Two Burnt please see a live show, grab some merchandise, reach out!
With our current production, Two Burnt has had international interest with views in Japan and South America. It's cool to have complete strangers reaching out asking when we will come their way to play - even all the way across the country! It gives you such a great feeling and is time well spent!
What artists inspire your songwriting the most?
Everyone loves reggae music! Some just may not know it yet. Growing up as one of three kids, radio choices were fought over and as the middle child, I lost most of the time. However, when I could avoid my siblings awful music choices my favorites included punk rock, Irish, metal, and reggae. Some of my early favorites were Streetlight Manifesto, Rancid, The Movement, Flogging Molly, Smokey Bastard, and Operation Ivy. I've had a lot of people who have influenced my music career. Hernan Cortez, a good friend of mine who has passed, taught me the world of one/two and three/four time signatures. His family band “Los Cortez” still plays shows up and down the east coast. I’ll add Los Cadetes de Linares “El Palomito” and Carlos y Jose “Flor De Capomo”. Bands like Goat, 8 degree 6 Crew (French Ska), Kyle Smith, the list of influential people for me is quite long. Of course being born and raised in North Carolina, I resonate with outlaw country and people like Tyler Childers, Sturgil Simpson, Chris Stapleton, and Jamey Johnson.
What life experiences inform your music?
In songwriting, the difference between lyrics in genres is mostly the overall theme. If it’s Reggae, we’re talking about peace of mind and the trials and tribulations in life... but somewhere near a beach. If it’s country music, we’re doing the same, just somewhere on a creek bank or in a field. The beauty of music is that everyone has struggles in life and music is a place for us to have comfort. Mental health is a big struggle for folks everywhere, listen to your friends and family, be aware and support each other. I’m lucky to have a family and community of musicians to help support these endeavors.
How do you hope your music impacts people?
Joel, Drew, and I want to spread a positive message with our music. With the songs. “Liven Up”, you need to liven up your place man, send it to the new generation. “Stay Gold” influences listeners to stay young, stay gold, and remember what you're fighting for. I did the songwriting for our current list, but we will change that in the future and mix all of our experiences. We want to create a family friendly environment and an inclusive space for the community to take their minds off the daily grind.
What has been the most personally impactful moment in your career so far?
Every interaction is impactful. Small or big, empty rooms or packed venues. Justin Clyde Williams has a song called “Empty Rooms” on the same titled album. For me, one impactful moment was playing solo and sharing a stage with The Dick and Tammy Show (Justin’s project) at a farm festival. They brought a love seat from the 70’s to sit on! Another moment was with Two Burnt when we had the opportunity to open for Kyle Smith at The One Stop in Asheville, NC this past December. Our biggest show! Seeing the energy and crowd work that Kyle and his band brings to the stage was eye opening and a big influence for my own performances. Most recently, Sun Dried Vibes had us on a two-show stint, Greensboro and Charlotte. We sold and signed our first t-shirt to non-family or friends and the look on Joel and Drew’s faces were priceless. It was absolutely hilarious. We’re very appreciative of those fans!
Who or what inspires you most?
The music community and all those who support each other inspires me the most. Without the community, there is no music. Your local watering holes, dives, food hotspots, and venues. They are all over. Each one has their own atmosphere and family. Go find them! Talk to your neighbors and you will find we’re all very similar.
Who or what inspires you most?
Thank you to everyone who has read through this story! With all things in life including art, poetry, music, sports, and so on, it's the community that matters! We can make our community a great place to live, if we work together.
Listen to Two Burnt on Spotify and keep up with them on their website! Two Burnt has an upcoming performance at The Rooster in Gastonia, NC on June 29 at 7 p.m. There will be a $5 cover charge.
