Rodney Cromwell
Catching up with Rodney Cromwell; photographed by Zamberwell.
Rodney Cromwell, aka Adam Cresswell of Saloon, Arthur & Martha, etc., presents a listen to the a-side from his Fax Message Breakup available via his label Happy Robots Records. Taking inspiration from a story about Phil Collins’ alleged split from his second wife by way of a fax; Cresswell embraces a man-machine mode with a electro-goth heart that delivers the disaffected & cold lines of “I can’t do this anymore” like a computer reading back the text of a telegram set to electro-holidays in the sun. You also are treated to The Leaf Library Remix of “Cassiopeia” that brings a cornucopia of keys that strike nearly every vulnerable nerve & stir about sentiments of the sublime. We got the official Rodney Cromwell insight on the new single & cycle with the following exclusive breakdown from the artist himself:
Fax Machine Breakup was the last track I wrote for the album Age of Anxiety. I had writer’s block and couldn’t come up with any lyrics—then I just thought blow it, I’m going to can the whole record. Then the line came to me, I can’t do this anymore—I don’t know what it’s for and I wrote the song about me quitting music forever. Ironically finishing the song meant the album was finished and I never got to quit the music business in the end. It’s my breakup with the music business song—we have a love hate relationship though, where we keep breaking up and getting back together again. It’s a filthy business—we have a filthy relationship. I’ve never split up with anyone by fax, but MySpace breakup just didn’t have the same ring to it. There was a serious rumor once that I was romantically involved with my Moog—it was a rumor that I never publicly denied though. I like to keep my fans guessing…do they, don’t they…
Watch the the video for “Fax Message Breakup” (single mix) that provides a view & listen into the electronic addled & effects of evening alluded synths & subtle vocal treatments. Rodney Cromwell takes us deep into the Happy Robots world where it feels like your living in a classic throwback 80s cult music video.
Rodney Cromwell’s Fax Message Breakup is available now via his imprint Happy Robots Records.
