THE FLOWERBABE
ESSENTIALS
Flowerbabe is the solo project of Robby Spence, an artist from the suburbs of Chicago whose music is a captivating blend of contrasting influences. Originally considering the name The Garden for his project (until discovering it had been taken), Robby opted for the more fitting and evocative name Flowerbabe, which has become synonymous with his distinctive sound. Described as “spooky 80s post-punk,” Flowerbabe’s sound is a battle between the colorful, dreamy vibes of artists like Gus Dapperton and Mac DeMarco and the eerie, atmospheric tones inspired by his love for the soundtracks of Halloween and Stranger Things.
His latest release, Fangs, is a testament to this duality, drawing inspiration from the glitchy, dark energy of Crystal Castles and an evocative art piece by his friend titled “The Hand You’re Dealt.” Flowerbabe continues to carve out a unique space in the indie music scene, captivating listeners with his genre-blurring soundscapes. Because of his unique space in the Chicago music scene, Glitzy asked Robby to share a few of his Flowerbabe essentials.
This Pin-Stripe Calathea is just one of the plants Robby has lovingly nurtured alongside his giant Monstera he drove cross country from Arizona (but we were unable to travel from the suburbs to the Northside of Chicago).
Exorcism was the first song Robby created using his JUNO-106 Synthesizer. Before that, he spent four years writing songs on a digital synth. The addition of the analog JUNO-106, along with his Yamaha DX7, was a game changer in shaping his distinctive sound.
This Pumpkin, a thrift store find that now resides on top of his speaker, is one of Flowerbabe’s year-round Halloween decorations (since he dubs Fall as his main inspiration). It once decorated his room along with other seasonal items, as a reminder of Fall through harsh winters and scorching summers. Over time, the other decorations were put away, but the pumpkin stays!
The 2021 Fender Jaguar, his prized show guitar, holds a special place alongside his equally cherished 2018 Strat, which he uses for practice. Every track has been recorded on the Strat, earning its description of “a workhorse.” The Jaguar, however, was chosen specifically for its stunning look, making it the perfect guitar for live shows.
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