UK Country artist Rob Wheeler has released his third studio album, Leave Tomorrow. He went through hell to make it, but wouldn't change a single thing.
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I had the pleasure of talking to fellow Brit Rob Wheeler, a country musician who's just finished his UK tour. We prattled on for a while and discussed far too much to fit into this article alone.
But honestly, if you listen to Leave Tomorrow, you'll get to know Rob Wheeler intimately (although here is a little factoid he left out of the album — he owns a delightful ducky mug).
Rob Wheeler laid himself bare with this album. "I don't sing about anything I don't experience, or believe in, or have some personal, soulful connection to," he told me. All of his moments of hope, doubt, insecurity, and self-acceptance have been woven into each lyric.
To listen to Leave Tomorrow is to know Rob Wheeler. His smooth voice (that can pack a punch) will serenade the mind, but the words will slip under the skin. Effortlessly personal, I recommend listening to the album when you have a moment to appreciate it truly.
Rob Wheeler Was Blown Away With The Feedback
"I don't think we expected ... to get the response that it's had. It's been really mind-blowing," he told me. His start in the industry was unexpected, and every milestone since has blindsided the guy.
The positive response to his album has brought the singer to tears. It "has been bewildering" to see the support he's received.
It's an incredible relief to him that it's gone down so well. Making the album was an "exhausting" process that took three "all-consuming" years over the span of four.
Instilling so much emotion into something requires one to wade back through them, and those waters don't get any shallower. Making this album and processing his experiences allowed him to break the damn and flush the emotions away.
"I have a real connection to this album," he told me. "But then you put it out to the world, and you sort of hope the other people then will have a little percentage of that connection."
Hearing people's interpretations of his works is "one of the greatest compliments" for him. Although people "couldn't possibly" relate to his songs, as only he has experienced what he has, Wheeler still thinks it's incredibly "cool" that people can insert themselves in his songs."
"I love that."
Hilariously, despite how much making this album took it out of him, hearing the feedback has encouraged him to dive right back into the trenches. Whether he will or not remains to be seen, however. Not that he'll stop making music.
Rob Wheeler Wouldn't Change A Thing About 'Leave Tomorrow'
An artist is never 'done' with a project or a work. As the creator, you'll never be done, you just simply know when to stop.
However, Leave Tomorrow is a rare example of an artist being completely and utterly happy with what they've made.
"It's really right, it's all there," he said of his album. "Leave Tomorrow is done, and it's rare I say that."
It's a good thing that he's happy with it, for this perfect album will be his legacy. Wheeler shared an intimate detail with me that recontextualizes the significance of Leave Tomorrow.
Some years ago, Rob Wheeler found out he couldn't have children. Among other devastating losses in his life, this bad news hit him hard.
The singer credits his "stupid, neanderthal brain" for the need to have a legacy. And if he can't do that with children, then he'll make an album.
"I needed to find a way to perpetuate myself. And that was in my music, and it saved me. My music saved me for sure."
To be clear, this encouraged him to release his first album. But that was just a personal project, for the sake of it. When it gained traction, his label wanted him to release another. So he credits Ten Embers as being his first album, with Little Ghost more akin to a passion project.
With Leave Tomorrow, however, he had the experience, the skill, and was prepared to make the album. His legacy.
And I'd say he did a great job.
There is far too much for me to cram into one piece. But like I said, listen to the album. You'll get to know him more than any article could allow you to.
