Put your questions to Tim Robbins - exclusive Boards.ie interview

Darragh

Howdy!

Just off the phone to confirming a Boards.ie Q&A with Tim Robbins for tomorrow



That's Tim - Hudsucker Proxy, Shawshank Redemption, Austin Powers II, Anchorman, Mystic River, Green Lantern - Robbins.

W00t!

He's also recently released a new album called "Tim Robbins & the Rogues Gallery Band"...

*LIVE SHOW AT WHELANS, DUBLIN ON SEPTEMBER 26TH - TICKETS ON SALE NOW*

“At 2 a.m. you can’t come home after a night out and act. But you can write a song” Tim Robbins

Releasing your first album at the age of 51 is a curious thing to do when you're already a global, Oscar winning star known for your work both on the screen (Shawshank Redemption, Mystic River), behind it as a director of film (Dead Man Walking, Cradle Will Rock) and theatre (1984, Embedded), but not as a musician.



Yet Tim Robbins is a cautious man creatively. Far from jumping straight into this musical venture, its something the film icon has been working on his entire life. Brought up around a host of talented musicians, including his brother David, his parents Gil and Mary, and their folk singing friends, music is in Robbins' blood. Even so, he keenly considered where his strengths lay as a musician and composer before putting together his first album.

Of course Robbins has wielded an acoustic guitar before, as Bob Roberts the folk singing right wing politician in the 1992 movie of the same name in which he starred and directed. When the movie was released Robbins decided he didn't want to release the soundtrack as he didn't want the songs played out of context. “Around that time there was also interest from the music industry for other projects that I chose not to pursue because I didn't want to embarrass myself by producing a gratuitous, ego driven album.”

His 1995 writer/director triumph Dead Man Walking – for which he was Oscar nominated – also provided fertile ground for Robbins’musical interests. After sending a rough cut of the film to a selection of songwriters who had inspired him over the years, Robbins co-produced the film's lauded soundtrack for Sony. Bruce Springsteen, Johnny Cash, Eddie Vedder, Patti Smith, Tom Waits, Steve Earle and Nusrat Fateh Ali Kahn all contributed. Robbins has also undertaken projects with Pete Seeger and Nora Guthrie, Woody's daughter.



Robbins has long written songs and performed in small venues, but has kept it under the radar – until now. “I have too much respect for music to put out something that wasn't coming from a genuine place.”

Joining forces with his friend, the legendary producer Hal Willner ‘Tim Robbins & the Rogues Gallery Band’ is a nine track collection of raggle taggle and rousing gypsy Americana, where each song is a story, every one told with passion and raw emotional honesty.

"I think it's a really amazing thing to watch someone making his first album at 50. It's a very exciting first album,” reveals Hal Willner. “It's got incredible beauty, incredible anger – everything that music can do.”

With Robbins singing alongside a backing band of multi-instrumentalists, the album features everything from a fiddle and saw to a guest spot from Joan As Policewoman (on‘Moment in the Sun'), a harmonium, hurdy gurdy, accordion and Cor Anglais.

“There's no-one that sails a ship straight in this Rogues Gallery”laughs Robbins of the seven musicians which make up the Seeger Sessions style band.

Though he has no plans to end his movie career, Robbins admits there's something about performing live music that makes it that much more thrilling than the silver screen. “I get really inspired by audiences. That immediate relationship that you create with people, you can't get that in films.”

The Rogues Gallery is made up of a host of world class musicians. Featuring on the album are Kate St. John, Leo Abrahams, David Coulter, Roger Eno, Rory McFarlane, Andrew Newmark and Dudley Phillips. The live performances will include Kate St. John, David Coulter, Roger Eno, Rory McFarlane, Liam Bradley, Steve Jones and Jack Pinter.

So he's performing at Arthurs Day tomorrow - He'll be in The Academy - and in Whelan's on the 26th but we're interviewing him tomorrow afternoon.

So if you have any questions for the actor and musician that is Tim Robbins, put them below and if they're good enough, they'll be included!

Cheers

Darragh

johnny_ultimate

Since he's often singled out as one of Hollywood's 'liberals', does he ever get frustrated with the political scene in Hollywood? Also, and this is what the first question was leading to, was he proud when he was mocked in Team America

Plus, you've got to slip in "You know, for kids!" somehow!

Basq

How exactly did he manage to reaffix the poster of Rita Hayworth firmly back on the wall

after escaping Shawshank?

Alternatively, does he prefer the role of actor or director?

Mr. Loverman

If he didn't work in the arts (acting, singing, writing, etc.), what would he like to work as?

Sparks

I double-dog-dare you to ask him if he's secretly jealous of Catherine Deneuve

Skid

Don't change a winning formula Darragh,

Tell him he was "da bomb in Phantoms" :pac:

Mr. Loverman

Ask him to pick a number between 1 and 50, both digits are odd but not the same...

When he says 37 tell him Mr. Loverman predicted he would say that.

To really freak him out then ask him to pick a number between 50 and 100, both digits are even but not the same... when he picks 68 tell him Mr. Loverman predicted that too.

meemeep

of all his work either acting or directing which is his favourite/which is he most proud of?

who are his musical influences? What's on his Ipod that he'd recommend?

karlos11

I played "Heywood" in the Stage Version of "The Shawshank Redemption" that was staged this and last year in Dublins Gaiety Theatre - had he heard about it and was he tempted to come have a look? Karlos!

krudler

basquille wrote: »

How exactly did he manage to reaffix the poster of Rita Haoywrth firmly back on the wall

after escaping Shawshank?

Alternatively, does he prefer the role of actor or director?

Raquel Welsh

Basq

krudler wrote: »

Raquel Welsh

Yeah.. it was ermm.. a trick question to determine if he was paying attention!

Klingon Hamlet

I'd love to know what filming High Fidelity was like---Tim seemed to relish the role as the slimy, smug Ian "Ray" Raymond, did he get to improv much, and what were John Cusack and Jack Black like to work with?



That's about 3.5 questions or one big combo, I guess:p

Bard

Give him a memory test! What was the name of that place in Mexico where Red meets him at the end of Shawshank?... (It was Zihuatanejo)

MagicMarker

Has he ever been to Zihuatanejo?

Basq

MagicMarker wrote: »

Has he ever been to Zihuatanejo?

Ask him that first.. and then Bard's question!

Bard wrote: »

What was the name of that place in Mexico where Red meets him at the end of Shawshank?... (It was Zihuatanejo)

That'll really test his memory! :pac:

lunacyfoundme

As a liberal and someone who believes in freedom, would you rather be safer and have fewer freedoms and rights or be more vulnerable to terrorism and not have infringments on freedom like the Patriot Act or mandatory fingerprinting of visitors to the US?

Why did you take the part of the terrorist in Arlington Road?

Gillington

Tim,will you sing Croon Spoon for us!!?

The Volt

In the spectular 'Jacob's Ladder', when you watched it for the first time at the premiere I'm sure you probably got some crazy looks from people. How did you find playing that role?

amdublin

Ask what is his secret to looking so good (aka hawt)?

Does he have a picture in the attic?

Skid

How do you pronounce 'Sarandon"?

Does it rhyme with abandon, or is it Saran-don like Wimbledon.

R.Shackleford

which do you prefer? Heinz ketchup or Chef Ketchup?

ihateclowns11

Tim Robbins? Wow,ask him how he can be so obtuse,(shawshank r).

pwd

Mad. I was only thinking how good an actor he is last night.
Is he a big fan of the Pogues?
Give him a guitar and ask him to sing something.

nkay1985

I, like many others, have seen The Shawshank Redemption upwards of 20 times. Do you watch your own work? If so, which one have you seen the most times. And is there a movie you have a fascination with, like so many of us do with Shawshank.


Seemingly, the stage production of '1984' was very well-received. Could you see yourself bringing it to the big screen?

Poly

Ask him to sing a sea shanty for us.

chillywilly

Was Red really irish?!

Nevyn

Movie question:
Given that he is playing Senator Hammond in the new and up coming Green Lantern movie, is he a comic book fan or was he a fan of the orignal show.

Music question:
Does he think folk music will return to being the people's protest music?
And what other then his own is most fav ablum.

Personal:
Does he have any regrets for being as out spoken politically in his life or would he do it all over again the same way?

DrumSteve

Ask him why he let tom cruise beat him up in war of the worlds when he could probably step on him.

allanb49

1 - What recent music has influnenced him
2 - Has he regretted not releasing an album/material sooner
3 - *insert witty/funny question later*

trustno1

My question: 'allegedly you have admitted that you made movie Howard the Duck for the money,was everyone else involved in the movie also 'in it for the cash'? and do you regret making it at all?'

JP Liz V1

Would he do a Bull Durham remake or sequel?

kerash

If he could chose any role for himself what would it be?

Morlar

Considering he is a very well known über-liberal known for his political views, what was his view on France recently deporting the Roma ?

Also Team America.

faceman

Having worked with many great actors and directors over the years across many genres, is there any role or genre that Tim would still like to get to stuck into?

Roaster

Does Susan shave?

Mr Trade In

Who was you favorite co-star and who did you hate working with.
Also Is Susan Sarandon your Mom?;)

pickarooney

Ask him does he think he has a face more suited to evil or good characters and if he believes if either really exist.

MrStuffins

Ask him does he ever get sick of answering questions about The Shawshank Redemption!

Real question: We hear a lot about "Method Actors" these days. In your incredible performance as Dave Boyle in Mystic River, you brought a character to the screen who, after a terrible trauma, grows into a man who has mood swings, is depressed, is almost a ticking timebomb etc. He is a misunderstood character whose past has led others to believe he is someone who he is not.

So my question is: When you are immersing yourself in a character like Dave Boyle, do you ever bring the character home? Are you able to switch from Dave Boyle to Tim Robbins? Or do you become the character while filming and do the lines between both Dave and Tim blur?

bonerm

Any thoughts of reprising your role as "The Player" ... or will you try to patch things up with Susan instead?

kraggy

Hi Tim,

What would you consider to be the most difficult part you have played?

Also Darragh, make sure you call him Tadhg. He should know his name in Irish if he's going to be here for a while

Kraggy.

ziedth

What was the biggest role you turned down?

What is your favourite film?



And you have to tell him "Affleck was da bomb in Phantoms" it could become like a running gag.

nkay1985

So did this not go ahead today or something?

Darragh

Thanks for all the questions folks, it was an interesting experience.

I met Tim Robbins in the Morrison Hotel in Dublin where he was doing interviews pre Arthur's Day. I was schedule in just after The Star and before MTV, I think. Something like that anyways.

Tim was sitting down having tea. As I started to get set up with the camera, he looked distinctly uncomfortable - I don't think my request had been relayed to him - so we did it OFF camera - but you can hear the sound here.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s3apWksPZvg

Time was limited unfortunately so couldn't ask ALL questions but got as many as I could there!

Enjoy

Darragh

Basq

My question wasn't stupid.. it's a valid question!

Great interview by the way.

MagicMarker

Yay, I've indirectly spoken to Tim Robbins!

Cool interview.

Klingon Hamlet

Sweet interview. And yay, he answered my question about High Fidelity didn't know he knew Cusack and Black beforehand, let alone worked with them

amdublin

Yay I'm so proud of me conversing (indirectly) with Tim Robbins.

And now I know he is hawt down to "healthy living".