Courtyard Concert Series | Robert Hoefling

Rising singer-songwriter Robert Hoefling leaves the open mic behind

Robert Hoefling is a relative newcomer to the Tulsa music scene. His first dose of widespread local exposure came when he was featured on the Horton Records compilation “New Tulsa Folks,” a showcase for up-and-coming singer-songwriters. Since then he has completed his first full-length album, to be released this month, and has beefed up his gigging schedule considerably.

The Tulsa Voice: How did you come to be involved with the “New Tulsa Folks” compilation?

Robert Hoefling: It really grew out of Cody Clinton’s Singer-Songwriter Night that he hosts every Monday at The Colony. People started to notice how many original songwriters were coming up there—most that had never been recorded—and that’s how that compilation came together.

I’d go every week, and I didn’t want to just go and do the same three songs every time. So that was actually a motivator to write more songs. It was a goal almost every week: “I want to do at least one new song.”

TTV: And then your new record kind of grew from there?

RH: Yeah, I’d been wanting to do a full-length record for a while. I met Ryan Weaver, and he recorded the song that appeared on the compilation, and I really liked working with him. He’s so easy to work with.

Ryan had worked with Jacob Fred [Jazz Odyssey] on some stuff, and I had met Chris Combs before, but Ryan is the one who suggested we try to get Chris to play lap steel on one of the tracks. I was blown away. I mean, it’s Chris Combs. And Jared Tyler plays on the record, too. He’s a master. He really listens and captures the spirit of the song. He’s incredibly skilled, technically, but it’s more than that. He hears what the song needs and just nails it.

TTV: Who are some of your biggest influences in performing and songwriting?

RH: Wink Burcham comes to mind immediately. I’ve been a huge fan of Wink for a long time. When I started getting into more folk and singer-songwriter type music, I always thought to myself, “Man, what happened to this kind of music?” Then one day someone invited me to Elwood’s by the river, and Wink and Jesse [Aycock] were playing. I realized, “Oh. This is where it is.”

TTV: I heard Paul Benjaman has been covering one of your songs.

RH: Yeah, “Midnight Daydream.” It’s the one that was on the “New Tulsa Folks” album, and it’s on the new record, too. 

TTV: I love that about him—that he covers fellow Tulsans’ songs at shows. I think it helps spread the gospel of the Tulsa scene. Did you know he was going to do that?

RH: I had no idea. I was sitting outside at The Colony smoking a cigarette. It wasn’t too long after the “New Tulsa Folks” album came out, and they had it on the jukebox there. So I heard the song start, and for a second I thought it was from the jukebox—and it’s always kind of awkward when you’re there and someone plays your song on the jukebox. But then it dawned on me, like, “Wait—is Paul Benjaman playing my song?” I immediately ran inside. I was trying to play it cool, but I couldn’t believe it. I respect him so much as a musician. 

TTV: What’s coming up for you? Where can we see you?

RH: The week after the release show, I’ll be playing at the VFW—Friday, Sept. 19. Then the next weekend, I’ll be at the Stone River Music Festival. And the following weekend, I’m really excited about playing a little show out at the Prairie Artisan Ales brewery. Good stuff coming up. 

 Robert Hoefling
“Old Memories & Live Wires”

Join Robert Hoefling and friends for a special release show on Saturday, Sept. 13, at Fassler Hall. Grayless and Wink Burcham open the show, and Hoefling will be joined by special guests all night, including Burcham, Chris Combs, Jared Tyler, Paddy Ryan and more. 

For updates and gig info, follow Robert Hoefling at Facebook.com/HoeflingMusic