Westville rocker finds herself through music

DREAMING on until her dreams come true perfectly describes the edgy, outgoing, vibrant and ridiculously talented Robyn Millar as she makes a name for herself in the music industry.

The Westville resident is currently part of three bands, playing bass for Girl Power, bass in Kylen and is on vocals and plays the acoustic guitar for Pandalore.

The gusty musician said it was growing up in a house with older brothers that helped form her into the person she is today.

“I am the only girl and the youngest. It was nice but also not nice. I was spoilt at times but also picked on. I admit though that I was the annoying sister as my brother’s friends would come over and I would obviously want to join them, but couldn’t,” she laughed.

For the love of family

The love she has for her family is visible in the intricate lines of ink adorning her body, the most visible is an infinity symbol containing the names of her brothers.

The brother she said was closest to, Daniel, passed away from cancer when he was 23 years old. Describing her loss, Robyn’s eyes glass over as she looks away, remembering her brother’s passing gift.

“He specifically wanted me to get a drum kit. So in 2008 I got my hands on a second-hand set,” she said with a heartfelt smile.

A drummer at heart, she continued to decline her best friend, Michelle’s, requests to pick up a guitar.

“I was too cool for that,” she laughed.

ALSO READ: Meet Pinetown’s gorgeous Miss SA hopeful

All it took was two years of her friend’s perseverance and one chord for Robyn to fall in love with the stringed musical instrument.

“I played the C-chord and I fell in love. michelle is the reason for my guitar passion.”

Slightly skeptical, her parents allowed her to borrow her brother’s guitar and soon realised she had more than a bit of talent.

“Back then I knew how to play, but didn’t really have an understanding of what I was actually doing so I went to guitar lessons and my teacher took me under his wing for eight months. He did try to get me to sing but back then, I was completely tone deaf,” she laughed.

Once she learnt to play music, a whole world of opportunity opened up to her and she began to write her own songs.

“The first song I wrote was for my brother. It still hasn’t been named but I call it Danny’s song. It was a big part of me helping me cope with what happened. To a certain degree, I think it may have even helped my mom. It was a song I could just put all of my emotions into and it’s still a song I love to play even now.”

Take to the stage

Robyn, or Robz as she is more affectionately known, recalled the tornado of butterflies in her stomach during her first performance.

“I was extremely nervous as I was doing the opening of the show with just my guitar and my voice and no backing track. About 30 seconds in I had to apologise to the audience because my voice was shaking so badly. Afterwards I got a massive amount of applause and as I walked off stage. I felt exhilarated,” she said.

The butterflies only return for the first time she tries something new, but the rush of adrenaline and the thrill of being on stage has only continued to grow with each performance.

ALSO READ: Seaview songstress Lu posseses the rare quality of originality

“It is a journey to find yourself. When you find something you are passionate about, the more you do it the happier you are and it’s a growing that happens within yourself,” said the 22-year-old.

A new chapter begins

She recently took the plunge and chose to pursue music full-time.

“This is not necessarily to be famous, but rather to have people appreciate my music, whether its 10 people or 10 000, its for the people who want to actually listen.”

On her edgy haircut, piercings and tattoos, Robz described herself as the type of person who expresses herself though her body.

ALSO READ: Musician distraught over flute theft

“I was restricted when I was a teacher, but the second I left my job, I could finally do something big. I bleached my hair blonde and dyed it purple. For the tattoos, I have 11, two for my brother Danny, the infinity symbol; one for my mom, for my best friend, music on my back and foot, a panda on my ankle and quotes from Aerosmith on my thighs.”

She will continue to study her BEd, specialising in English while pursuing her career in the music industry.

“I would like to thank my mom, Beverley, big time. She has been to every gig. She sits there and cries and shouts out requests constantly. My brothers and dad also definitely need to be thanked for their support. Thank you also to my boyfriend, Jason Kylen, for his constant support and his push to get me into this. I could definitely not do this without him,” said the appreciative muso.

 

Describe yourself in three words:

Fun, dedicated and expressive.

Trapped on a desert island, what would you want with you?

A bottle of Klipdrift, good company and a box of Marlboro Red.

What is your top song at the moment:

Aerosmith’s amazing.

Which three items will you always have in your handbag?

Pepper spray, smokes and sunglasses.

If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go?

Norway or New Zealand.

If you could sit down with three people, who would you choose?

Steven Tyler, my brother Daniel, and my close friend, Nick.

Do you want to receive news alerts via WhatsApp? Send us a WhatsApp message (not an sms) with your name and surname (ONLY) to 060 532 5409.

You can also join the conversation on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

PLEASE NOTE: If you have signed up for our news alerts you need to save the Highway Mail WhatsApp number as a contact to your phone, otherwise you will not receive our alerts