Today we’d like to introduce you to Robert & Roxanne McIver.
Hi Robert & Roxanne, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
Robert McIver: Always been a lover of music since childhood. Started as most children did, signing in the choir at church. My parents also exposed me to a number of different genres of music coming up. From gospel quartets to the Motown sound, to Tiajuna Brass, to Jazz, Blues, R&B, Folk, Soft Rock, you name it. Once I discovered Hip Hop, I knew what I wanted to do. In addition to singing, I so badly wanted to be a DJ and lucky me, my sister’s boyfriend was one of the best DJs in the town. I begged him to teach me and he agreed. I was a quick learner and at only ten years old, I DJ’d my first gig which was my sister’s sweet sixteen birthday party at a local club. I was so nervous, my legs were wobbling like noodles. Nonetheless, I did my thing and continued to do so for many years after.
After college, I found myself wanting to do more creative things in the music realm so I switched gears and started producing beats and writing songs and looking for artists to record my creations. Unfortunately, I’d always run into issues with artists which led me with no choice but to sing the songs myself. After a while, I started to enjoy the singing just as much as the writing and producing. After a few years of making what in my opinion were very amateur recordings for myself and a few other local artists.
In the ’99- 2000’s when hip hop and R&B was at its peak as a new genre, I began to write, produce and was an artist for Kalabo Entertainment. I honestly believe we were ahead of our time. We were a conglomerate of talent consisting of 15 heavily talented hip hop / R&B creators! At the time we didn’t seem to have sufficient knowledge and the right leadership to help us take advantage of huge real-life opportunities with the likes of Diddy, Oliver Stone, Wyclef Jean and Avatar Music Publishing just to name a few.
I discovered that my college degree didn’t give me enough to be able to create polished recordings so I enrolled in a master’s certification course at Berklee College of Music and studied for 3 years to learn the technical side of recording, mixing and mastering. Fast forward to present day I am currently running my own production studio /company Alwayz On Point Media Group where I cover every aspect of the music-creating process (writing, arranging, vocal performance, vocal production, beat production, recording, mixing and mastering). I have several clients both domestic and abroad that keep me quite busy although new clients are always welcome.
Although I have worked on several songs/projects over my career, I had never commercially released anything as an artist, something that was long overdue. So during the pandemic, I decided that was exactly what I was going to do. The song had to evoke feeling in me, feeling of happiness, togetherness, uplifting camaraderie and I low and behold, as soon as I created it I knew it was the one. “Step” was unlike previous songs I had created, I knew the world had to hear this one and I hoped they’d get the same feeling I did when they heard it. But it didn’t stop there, I also wanted to create a visual for the song and incorporate my family and friends in this production.
Roxanne McIver: As a music lover myself, I was into rhythm, beats, dance and movement. I absolutely cannot sing so my next best move was dance. My father is a self-taught musician and plays four instruments. I played viola, clarinet and bass clarinet growing up so music and entertainment have always been a part of my life. When music was not enough for me, my mother enrolled me into dance, cheerleading and gymnastics. I needed to be moving in order to behave if that makes sense. A completely busy body. Rob and I met in the fourth grade. He caught my attention because he was always moving, dancing, beatboxing, doing back handsprings and handstands for no reason at all and that was my vibe! We immediately became good friends from 4th grade through junior high, to high school as high school sweethearts, through college as good friends to adulthood as husband and wife and best friends. In high school, we were both members of my Aunt’s hip-hop dance group called Mirror Mirror and we were part of the choreography team so we spent tons of time together creating.
I am a planner by personal interest and by trade. In my early years, I would produce talent shows, themed dinners, friends’ gatherings, fashion shows, and promote my own parties. I love to bring people together for one reason and one reason only and that is to have a good time. Once Rob and I got married, we naturally combined our talents and bounced creativity off one another. Rob is absolutely THE TALENT and I am more so his support. I know and understand how he thinks and I understand his expectations very well. Aside from being his spouse, I have been Rob’s sounding board and one of his go-to persons in his decision-making processes. Initially, we were conducting ourselves that way for fun but then it became more frequent and more official.
During the onset of the pandemic, when Rob was working on his single Step, we were working almost every day to make it what it is today. I began providing him with notes about the song and the direction it should go and told him that he needed to shoot a video. He said he would do it if I directed it. I absolutely obliged him! It was an opportunity for me to display my creativity and hone in on my organizational and management skills. What I quickly realized was that I enjoyed it immensely. From there my business partner Jo Cromartie and I rebranded our company Packing Pistils as Packing Pistils-Multi-Production Assemblage.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
In our opinion, the process has been fairly smooth. We don’t put pressure on ourselves to keep up with everyone else. We work at our own pace and are creating our own lane. If we had to pinpoint a struggle or challenge it would be getting the point across that we’re are who we are and not trying to be like anyone else. Outsiders seem to always have the opinions of what we should be doing now or what we should do next. We move based on creative energy and not forced energy.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
Robert McIver: I am a Media Consultant as well as a Singer-Songwriter, Arranger and Producer.
I specialize in all aspects of music production and creation.
I am most proud of the fact that I not only have numerous clients here in the US but also clients in other countries such as Hungary, Mexico, Lebanon, Philippines, and Germany. As well as collaborators in Denmark, the UK, and Brazil.
What sets me apart from others is the fact that I truly work until the client is satisfied. I am here to provide services for my clients and their satisfaction my ultimate goal. No matter how many revisions are needed, I’m here for the client. I am able to do all of this with the support of my wife and family. I have my dream job and can share all components of it freely with the people closest to me.
Roxanne McIver: I am a Creative Director for Packing Pistils and an Advisor to Rob Young’s AOP Media Group. I enjoy interpreting creative content which lends to my specialty of interpreting and forecasting how content is received by consumers. I am most proud of developing and overseeing projects such as the “Step” video. Having the opportunity to run production on set lit a fire to my purpose. As a result, Packing Pistils currently has four projects that are fully funded and underway. I am proud to say that I have the unconditional support of my spouse/best friend/business partner in Rob Young. We are accomplishing our goals in our own special way and fulfilling our purpose!
Before we go, is there anything else you can share with us?
Roxanne McIver: The trickle-down effect of working with Rob Young/AOP Media Group has allowed Packing Pistils to introduce Video Production to others and also helped the company expand into other areas. With the release of the “Step” single and visual, we have shown the type of polished product we can produce together. We are excited about what is to come.
Contact Info:
- Website: packingpistils.com
- Instagram: @robyoungmuzik
- Facebook: @robyoungmuzik
- Twitter: @robyoungmuzik
- Youtube: YouTube.com/user/TheDocAop
Image Credits
Robert McIver Roxanne McIver Bouldin Photography
