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It’s not easy being in one band, much less three.
This is the situation Robert Hoffman finds himself dealing with, but it’s not a big deal.
“It takes a lot of planning, but I enjoy it,” he said during a recent interview. “I love what I do and wouldn’t change it.”
Hoffman is the guitarist in local outfits Lost Lingo, The Breaktone and Rand Larzeny.
And he’ll be doing double duty during the Funky Holiday Sweater Party on Thursday, Dec. 23.
“I think I’ll be on stage for quite awhile that night,” he said with a laugh. “But the bands are in different genres of music that it’s not that bad.”
Hoffman said Lost Lingo has been together for six years — he joined two years ago.
“I knew them from playing gigs, and I filled in for them as a percussionist,” he said. “After my stint, they asked me to stay on full time.”
Hoffman said the band is a jam band that plays funk rock.
“It’s all just a hybrid,” he said of the band’s music.
The guys in Lost Lingo, Thomas Depree, Miguel Ortega, Lane Glover, Javier Ortega and Hoffman, decided to throw a pre-Christmas party and host a canned food drive.
“Some people have Christmas parties; this is what we do,” he said. “Plus, it’s important to give back to the community that supports us so much.”
Hoffman said local artist Kevin Vigil will be on stage painting while the bands are playing.
“He’s developed this niche of painting while we play, and people are really amazed by it,” he said. “It’s going to be a very fun show and a great way to start the holiday.”
Hoffman said there also will be door prizes by GarduñoGlass, 2 Day Circus and Kosmic Trading Post.
“This is also a way for our sponsors to give back the community,” he said. “
Hoffman said stretching himself among three bands isn’t bad at all.
“I’m lucky because the bands are so different that I don’t get mixed up,” he said. “Plus some of the musicians that I look up to have been in multiple bands.”
Hoffman said he decided he wanted to pursue music when he was 14. He started learning how to play guitar, and the rest is history.
“There’s something about music that just takes people into another state of mind,” he said. “I find it very fulfilling to help people forget about their worries, even if it’s just as long as our set. Music is also very universal and we all can relate to it.”
Hoffman said the band hopes to host more events that involve the community.
“We all have to work together to get things done,” he said. “By supporting each other the local music scene will grow and get stronger. That’s what we need.”
If you go
WHAT: Funky Holiday Sweater Party geaturing Lost Lingo, The Breaktone, The Noms and Element 37
WHEN: 8 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 23
WHERE: Launchpad, 618 W. Central
HOW MUCH: Tickets are $5 at the door with a canned food item, $7 without. Event is 21 and over
