Robert Levon Been on Art, Music, and Black Rebel Motorcycle Club

Robert Levon Been, founder of Black Rebel Motorcycle Club, discusses his views on art and music in an interview with Samantha Stella for Artribune. Born in Felton, California in 1978, Been formed the band in 1998 in San Francisco with Peter Hayes, formerly of The Brian Jonestown Massacre. The band's name was inspired by the motorcycle gang in the 1954 film 'The Wild One' starring Marlon Brando. Initially using the pseudonym Robert Turner to avoid association with his father Michael Been of The Call, the band gained early success in England with support from Noel Gallagher of Oasis and signed with Virgin Records, later having disagreements in 2004. The band's style blends noise, shoegaze, psychedelia, and rock'n'roll, later incorporating acoustic folk-blues and American roots influences after issues with drummer Nick Jago. In 2008, Danish drummer Leah Shapiro, formerly of The Raveonettes, joined the trio. The band went on hiatus due to health issues and released their latest album 'Wrong Creatures' in 2018, produced by Nick Launay. Been reflects on art as identity beyond physical forms, music as a malleable tool for connection, and his current work on a film soundtrack. He cites Dr. John's live performance of 'Such A Night' from 'The Last Waltz' as a favorite song.