PopImpressKA Journal: If you would be given chance to choose a historical time where would you like to live and when?
Robert Kantor: Probably just a little ahead of the 1960s to be a teen in the heart of London. I would love to have been right in the middle of what became the British invasion about the time The Beatles were getting together and the world of Pop music was really coming together.
PJ: How did you grow up and what is your best childhood memory?
RK: I grew up in Westchester County just outside of New York City. My favorite memories were of coming down to the City to see the amazing lights and sounds of the vibrant city I have now made my home.
PJ: What hero inspired you the most as a child and as an adult?RK: I think that as a child I was most inspired by John F. Kennedy because he represented all that the New America was about… filled with promise and the best of us as a nation at the time. As an adult, I would have to say Burt Bacharach who at ninety is still writing songs and performing after creating the soundtrack for so many lives and decades of good music.
PJ: How do you see musical society developing in the future?RK: I see a community of shared composing, almost like in open code. I think that musical collaboration will reach a point whereby you can alter music as you listen to it and really make it your own. It can start with someone's idea, be altered by many, and become a scantily moving form that follow you wherever you go and fits your mood.
PJ: What does success mean to you?
RK: Success is feeling that you have inner peace of mind. To me being able to sleep well at night and know you have done the best you possibly can in every way is a true measure of one's success. I am a firm believer in what you put out there is what comes back to you and you should always try to make a difference in everything that you do.
PJ: What does love mean to you? What does happiness mean to you?
RK: Love is a privilege that we all have to give. Giving love has got to be one of the most satisfying feelings only topped by receiving love in return. It is the fuel of happiness and what makes the world go around. Love is what defines my reason to be here on Earth and to thrive. Happiness to me is in knowing I have done my very best to make a difference and have given my best efforts to help others. We all have been given a lot and should consider all of those who have nothing. To be selfless is true happiness.
PJ: When you were growing up what is the most important lesson you had learned from your parents?
RK: To try and make good decisions on my own. The greatest gift I was given was to go out and try things. I had to learn early on that one has to be responsible for their actions and that there are consequences for what you do and how you behave. It's never too early in life to learn this skill.
PJ: You are famous for your incredible guitars, what inspired you to create them and could you tell us what is the process in creating a Kantor Guitar?
IRK have always dreamed about guitars as a perfect canvas for all sorts of ideas. It became too limiting to simply collect guitars and I wanted to try and take the beauty of iconic guitar body and see it adorned with different artists using it as a medium. I have been fortunate to have a number of artists from around the world to interpret their ideas and will one day soon put an exhibit together of these amazing creations. The process for me is very organic in terms of preparing the guitar as an open slate and after the artist is finished using my own creativity to finish the guitar in a way that best suits the imagery on each individual guitar. I have the good fortune to work with, an amazing craftsman, and fairy that assist me in building and finishing amazing guitars.
PJ: You are passionate in art, fashion, music. What does being a creative artist mean to you?
RK: I think that creativity is a gift that enables us to become involved in any and every artistic endeavor we want to try. I love fashion and feel that it is directly tied to both music and art. I do not separate the way I feel about the overall combination and cause and effect if you will. I love to see art mixed with fashion and blended with a proper soundtrack and for me creation is a process that need not be categorized of defined simply by the medium in which you chose to work.
PJ: What is your favorite book? Musical Artist? Cuisine? Time of the Year? Holiday?
RK: Book of late Simple Art of Not Giving a F*ck by Mark Manson, Musical artist - Greta Van Fleet for bringing raw rock music back to life! Cuisine - Mr. Chow in NYC, best American Asian Food, Christmas of course which should be everyday of the Year!
PJ: Your Album "Truth" what is behind the name? How do you want it to impact people?
RK: I believe in life we all have our Truth and to face it is how we define ourselves through our lives experience and how honest we really want to be with ourselves. I want my music to put a smile on your face and bring a little happiness to everyone's day.
PJ: What are your three wishes?
RK: 1. To be able to continue on this journey called life,
2. To be able to be surrounded by the love and friendship I am so lucky to have in my life
3. To hopefully make a lasting difference in this complicated world.
+
