The Year In Review With Rob Higgins Of Dearly Beloved

We’ve asked bands/artists to share with us their highs and lows of 2016 and what they hope the New Year will bring to them. Here’s the year in review with Rob Higgins of Dearly Beloved.


1. On a scale of 1-10, how was 2016 been for you?
From a band perspective, a 10 … The making of Admission, seeing that dream come to fruition, was golden. Our focus, drive and passion for the process was a life highlight and combined with holding a copy of the finished album, the physical manifestation of the work we put in, makes it worthy of a 10.

2. Have you learned any life lessons this year?
We’re always learning. Our main goal and objective is to get better every day. At all of it. Don’t be divided or take anything or anyone for granted. Cherish what you have.

3. What was the highlight of 2016 for you?
Holding a finished copy of Admission, our new album. We were very fortunate to work alongside talented people whose main interest was helping us get better at what we do. Playing those songs live for people in Eastern European countries we’ve never been to before was also a highlight. Overcoming cultural barriers to connect with other humans with these new sounds and ideas reminds us of the power of music.

4. Any low points for you?
There are always low points but let’s not give them any more power.

5. What was the most overhyped thing of 2016?
Presidential elections. Seriously, I’ve never seen such awful reality TV in my life. The structure was all wrong, the narrative was so contrived, the characters were lacking in likeability, the plot didn’t really develop. Fire those writers immediately!

6. Worst of 2016?
The division. Love and empathy, friends. Love and empathy.

7. Best of 2016?
Forces of unity and compassion. Thank you! On a less serious note, we’re not big sports fans but The Toronto Maple Leafs getting Auston Matthews and no longer being a laughing stock in the NHL was a Best of 2016 thing for us hosers. A wonderful distraction from the madness sweeping the globe. Go Leafs Go!

8. Best albums of 2016?
It’s Everyone Else – Heaven Is An Empty Room
Iggy Pop – Post Pop Depression
Peaches – Rub
Russian Circles – Guidance
David Bowie – Blackstar

9. Worst albums of the 2016?
No idea. We have a great respect for anyone committed to doing the do, as Mike Watt says. That said, we don’t listen to “bad” albums enough to have much of an opinion on that. We gravitate to sounds that we enjoy.

10. Any new year’s resolutions for 2017?
Stay calm, lead by example, appreciate unique perspectives, and love fearlessly, effortlessly, and passionately. Empathize. Doing so benefits everyone.

Admission arrives on January 27th via Aporia Records.

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