Robin Borneman

"I'll see you at The Crossroads."

Robin Borneman’s recent life is best described as a musical novel, as a boy’s dream come true: In 2013 the singer from The Netherlands was discovered on YouTube by the Trans-Siberian Orchestra (TSO), an American progressive rockband. With over 10 million records and many more concert tickets sold, TSO is one of the most successful rock-productions of our time. TSO’s founder; writer & producer Paul O’ Neill, was so impressed by Robin’s ‘whiskey-voice’ that he immediately offered him a solid spot in the band. And Robin’s been with TSO ever since; touring two months a year, performing for millions of people in arenas all over the US and Europe. Rocking a crowd of 80.000 people at Wacken Open Air in Germany in 2015 was one of the many highlights. In his own words: “It’s as if you get a call-up for mandatory military service and upon arrival they immediately promote you to General!”
​
The man whose gravelly voice filled and tamed many sold-out arenas in the US has more to offer. There's another side to him that's more profound, sensitive, even philosophical. He expresses it with his own music: A mix of dark roots, blues, folk and film music. An emotional blend of styles that surprises and touches with each and every song. His albums were described as 'mini radio plays' that take the listener on an exciting adventure, with the wayward Borneman singing and crying his heart out in songs ranging from vulnerable spoken word, to fully orchestrated musical epics.
​
In 2012 his self-released, short album ‘Home’ regionally sold so many copies that in some recordstores he became top-selling artist, even topping big-time stars like Muse and Ben Howard. It got him a record deal with a small new label, Kroese Records. In 2015 they released his first longplayer ‘Folklore I: The Waving Days’, the first part of a trilogy about a nameless traveller. Distant echoes of Tom Waits, 16 Horsepower and Johnny Cash float around the eerie landscape, while the warmth of Nick Drake and Leonard Cohen offers a sense of hope and beauty. The cinematographic detail that’s become Robin’s trademark has been fully developed here, and the album was greatly received by the press. Not long after the release Robin signed with Dutch booking agency Bureau Zwaardvis and he played several festivals around the country with his band before he flew to the US for yet another tour with TSO.
​
‘Folklore II’, the second part of Robin Borneman’s musical trilogy, is set te be released in 2017. “It’s a powerful trip, both musically and lyrically” he promises. “So buckle up and enjoy, just know that it’s gonna be a dark and heavy ride.” These ominous words will likely increase the excitement of his fans, both in his home country and the US, and raise the expectations for his upcoming release at the end of summer.