Rob Fowler: An Englishman in Cologne

The British-born artist is an experienced musician, who has featured in musicals such as “Cats”, “Jesus Christ Superstar” and "Starlight Express". Rob has more recently focused on his recording career and he will be one of the four musicians performing at the VELUX EHF FINAL4. He speaks about his musical style, learning German and his handall knowledge.

Your emotion-filled songs in “The Voice of Germany” had many people wiping away tears. Do you prefer to make people smile or bring them tears with your performances?

Rob Fowler: I prefer to make people cry, it is a cleansing of the soul. I am very open and show my emotions while singing.

You said that you were deeply moved by the songs of Xavier Naidoo, even before you knew a word of German. Which German songs do you listed now that you’ve become more proficient with the language?

Rob Fowler: I still listen to Xavier, I see him as the perfect artist. My eight-year-old son is a fan of Tim Bendzko, so naturally I listen to his songs too.

Music is something wonderful; it has the power to make time stand still. I was at a Paolo Nutini gig in Cologne and was stood in the crowd for over an hour without noticing that I had a full glass of beer in my hand, I had simply forgotten to drink.

Have songs with German lyrics helped you to learn the language?

Rob Fowler: Songs were definitely helpful. German is a language which sounds much better when sung. However, strictly speaking, music has no language, it is pure emotion.

What is your opinion on Cologne dialect songs?

Rob Fowler: It’s not really my thing (smiles). While I have great respect for the like of die Höhner and Bläck Fööss, I think it would be boring if we all made the same music.

Back in Great Britain, most people got their first real taste of handball at the Olympic Games in London. It was spectacular how the British handball team was brought together in six years with a talent identification program. When did you first hear of the sport?

Rob Fowler: At the Olympics. I was so proud that my nation was there, even though I only saw them lose each of their matches. I actually wondered why British people have such a lack of feeling for the sport. We play a lot of rugby and cricket, which are also sports with a combination of testosterone and a ball. Give us a bit more time.

You became friends with Markus Floth, one of the VELUX EHF FINAL4 presenters, who has a great passion for handball. Did he get you excited about the sport?

Rob Fowler: We got to know each other years ago at a festival in Austria. He has nothing to do with my passion for sport, but we do talk about sport together a lot. I’m looking forward to seeing him again in Cologne.

Do you know any of the rules of handball?

Rob Fowler: Of course! At the Olympics I saw that a penalty is from seven metres in handball and that players are not allowed to take too many steps or spend too long before doing something with the ball.

As an experienced musician, you have appeared on the stage in musicals such as “Cats”, “Jesus Christ Superstar” and "Starlight Express”, do you still get excited about performing?

Rob Fowler: I have indeed performed in some big shows and I find the pressure before such performances to be positive. I would feel nervous if there was a competitive side thrown into the bargain.

You are a father to two children. Which sport should they be interested in? Could it be handball?

Rob Fowler: I would be happy. My son has a good fighting spirit and doesn’t like losing, he would certainly be a good handball player.