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Taylor Jenkins: Where were you born and when? Where did you grow up? What was you family environment like?
Robert Nanna: I was born on June 14, 1975 in Chicago, IL and we lived in the city for 13 years. When I was in 8th grade, my family moved to the suburb of Lombard. My real parents were actually high school kids and I was adopted by the Nannas before I was born. It's weird for me to say that because my family environment was so warm, loving, and natural, that it's hard to think of having any other parents than the ones I've had my whole life.
TJ: Where there any childhood experiences in particular that led you into playing music? Was there any one person that influenced you, family or otherwise?
RN: It's strange because not one person in my family is really that into music at all. You should hear my dad try and carry a tune! So I have no idea where it came from. There's a story my mom always tells about my first "words" and I'm not sure if it's true or not, but it's still kind of cool. She says the first thing she ever heard out of me was the Alphabet Song. She said I was singing it in my crib one day. Cute... If I can pinpoint any one person that maybe helped me appreciate great music, it was my best friend's parents. They had a jukebox in their basement packed with The Rolling Stones. They absolutely adored The Rolling Stones. And thus, so did I.
TJ: Describe your early education and personality. Are there any experiences that stand out as having lent something to your personal and/or emotional growth?
RN: I went to a Catholic grade school and a Catholic high school. I was a pretty shy kid and I guess I still am. I think I was uncomfortable with being the kid with the big mop of red hair. As for experiences, I remember very vividly being smitten with a certain girl in kindergarten and seriously going into shock when the teacher sat me across the table from her. Oddly enough, it was a table with the alphabet on it. And I was always constantly doodling in class, making songs and album covers and making Top 40's.
TJ: Was there any one thing or goal that pushed you when you were younger... as a musician and as a person?
RN: It was really just this intense drive to be engulfed in music 24/7. It's all I cared about. I really never had any dreams or aspirations to be anything else ever. And as for people encouraging me... well, back then there were none. Everyone thought it was just a hobby that would pass. Only I knew otherwise.
TJ: Descibe any higher education you may have had. Did you attend college? Where? Where you involved in any activities or clubs?
RN: I attended the University of Illinois in Champaign/Urbana and graduated with a degree in Communications / Advertising. You see, my parents made this deal with me where they would fully support anything I ever chose to do PROVIDED that i graduate. So that's what I did. I took the easiest classes and chose the easiest major, coasted through, graduated, and went on tour. Within 2 months of my first year there, Braid had started, so I really had no time for activities or clubs. Every now and then, I'd help set up a show...
TJ: Has there been any crisis in your life that propelled who you are today? How did you deal with this crisis?
RN: Nope. No crises. None that I can think of. Maybe I'm just good at repression.
TJ: What is your philosophy for life? How do you define yourself in regards to you surroundings?
RN: My philosophy I guess is to make other people happy. As for myself, I try not to get too bogged down with anything that takes away from the true essence and passion of what I'm doing. A great example is: not being involved in the business / money aspect of playing music. If I concentrate too much on making / losing money, then it will have a negative effect on my music production... not to mention my state of mind.
TJ: Descibe your work ethics as a performer
RN: They are pretty insane and some might say brutal. This year alone, I'll have been on tour almost 9 months... with Hey Mercedes, solo, and with Braid. And every minute of a tour that I'm not on stage, I'm taking steps to make sure that I can play the best I can. And that includes aspects such as diet, rest, and even talking too much. I also warm up and stretch out for an hour before shows.
TJ: Of your musical projects which do you think was the most satisfying? which did you take the most from?
RN: I really truly cannot pick one. I learn different things from every recording session or every project that i'm working on.
TJ: Any advice for a songwriter trying to get out there and get his/her music and ideas heard?
RN: Play shows. Play a lot of shows. Get better. Get feedback from people that you trust will be honest with you (your best friends). Anyone else's opinion you can take or leave. And then start recording. Put your stuff online... But yeah, first play shows. Get comfortable.