‘Clawhammer’ is a nod to a traditional style of Appalachian banjo music that is both rhythmic and percussive. Watching a friend drone on his instrument in a bookshop turned live club in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, Robert was inspired to recreate that sound and sensation. Drawing on a patchwork of memory and imagination, a pursuit to recall that singular instance become an investigation of recollected stimuli and American history.

The reason this music exists is because of Black culture. Banjo music has Afro-Caribbean roots that led to ‘quintessential American genres.’ It is “an African-derived instrument”.

It is necessary to work towards widespread acknowledgement that Black Americans are the main reason the US and American culture exists. They built the country and made it possible for marginal people to enjoy freedoms. We must continuously attribute our efforts properly back to Black pioneers.

'Clawhammer' comes out on Robert's new LP - 'Heirloom' on Piece of Work January 12th 2012.