Interview: The Chinaskis (Written)

Dallas, Texas-based power pop/alternative rock band, The Chinaskis released their debut full-length album, ‘Songs for the Scunnered’ in August 2023. With new music on the horizon, we spoke to singer-songwriter Robbie Edmonstone and learned a bit more about the band and their plans.

1. Hello! Thank you for taking the time to chat to us. First things first, tell us a little bit about yourself and how you got started.

Thanks for the opportunity! I’ve been playing guitar, writing music and singing since I was an awkward teenager back in the nineties. I’m from Glasgow originally, and played in a bunch of different bands there from 2001 to 2017, when I moved to the U.S. I started The Chinaskis back in 2009, and we did a lot of gigs and festivals until I left in 2017. It took me a couple of years to get settled and find a music scene in Dallas, but in 2023, I kicked off a new version of The Chinaskis and we finished off the debut album that I’d recorded with the old band in Scotland back in 2016.

2. Someone comes to you and asks you to sum up what kind of music you play – what do you tell them?

I like to call our music “bittersweet power-pop.” We mix loud guitars with catchy melodies and harmonies, drawing from decades of pop, rock, and alternative music. Think of bands like the Smiths, Warren Zevon, Teenage Fanclub, and Big Star—they all blend sad or angry lyrics with upbeat, poppy tunes. That’s what we aim for too: rich, harmony-filled pop arrangements with the unique twist of a bitter-sounding Scotsman singing over them.

3. What’s currently going on in your camp? New releases? Tours? Etc.

We’re on a brief hiatus from live stuff as we switch out our bass player, who’s leaving Dallas, but currently focusing on writing a new EP and album, which I’m super excited about.

4. What has been the most positive experience of making music to date for you?

So many highlights since we dropped the album last year! Hearing my songs on the local FM station here in Dallas was epic – we’ve been on a few playlists, and I still get random texts saying, “YOU’RE ON THE RADIO!”. Playing our last gig to over 100 people who’d come to see us was HUGE as well.. seeing people I didn’t know wearing our t-shirts, singing along – that was magic.

5. Likewise, what has been some of the more challenging aspects and how have you overcome them?

At this stage when you have a band where everyone has a job, the other guys have families and we’re all in our forties, it’s hard to find the time to jam, rehearse and play gigs, so that’s a challenge. It’s also hard balancing my day job and all the stuff I do in my life with the admin side of the band – promotion, content creation, pitching… I work in marketing and comms for a living so it’s easy to do, but as an artist this is the least fun part of the process.

6. How do you handle the modern expectations of being in a band? Always online, having to put out content constantly, your success measured in likes and follows?

It’s a challenge but I love connecting with the virtual audience, it’s so much easier to get your stuff out these days – you can get your music to thousands of folks through the social and digital channels, and that’s really inspiring… but it’s a slog for sure, you have to keep feeding the beast with content (even when there’s none or you don’t have time to make it), but that’s a nice headache to have!

7. What’s something that really ‘grinds your gears’ about the industry/business these days and what would you propose is done to combat it?

I’m lucky not to be doing this for a living. But for those who are, it’s still disgraceful how little artists are compensated by streaming platforms and how often they’re promised “exposure” in return for their hard work. Ever tried to pay your landlord or utility company in “exposure”?

8. Speaking directly to listeners – what would you ask they do to help support your music?

Come to the gigs if we’re in town. Buy the CD, buy some merch, and do all you can to share the music with others – at this level, that’s all we’re looking for. And if you’re digging it, reach out and say hi… artists love to hear feedback, good and bad!

9. Outside of the music, what’s do you do to relax?

My wife and I have two rescue dogs (Wallace and Angus) who keep us pretty busy in Dallas. When we’re not walking or playing with them, I’m generally relaxing by playing tennis, working out, playing PS5 or attending other gigs.

10. Where can people find you?

In one of East Dallas’ many dive bars – if you’re coming to town then hit me up, the first round’s on me.

Online, you can find us at the links below – and reach out directly at chinaskisband@gmail.com if you want to say hi!

Website | Spotify | Bandcamp | Facebook | Instagram | YouTube