About Rob
Music lovers of all ages become transported to a less complicated, more relaxed world with Costlow's collection of original piano melodies that showcase the talent and universal reach of his passionate and raw sound. Even though Costlow's music relates to certain genres, his style is not specifically contemporary classical or new age. Costlow delivers emotional and sincere instrumental music to which listeners can easily relate.
By the time he was twelve, Rob Costlow was annoying his piano instructor by adding unwritten endings to songs during rehearsals and recitals. This soon brought an end to the lessons that began at age five.
"I was not a fan of taking lessons and especially practicing other people's music. It just wasn't for me. I had my own stories running through my head and I wanted to share them with the world," admits Costlow.
It was another piano player, platinum-selling, new age artist George Winston, who fueled this rebellion. After one of Rob's brothers introduced him to Winston's music, Rob realized that his musical future would take a different path than the one set by his teachers.
"It was so different from the fundamental and classical piano music, full of contemporary dynamics and incredible new melodies," says Costlow. "It's what opened my creative world and drove me to compose. I said to myself ‘I can do this—this is a way that I can benefit from these lessons and practicing.’ It was an outlet for self-expression and also provided a sense of calm in times of stress."
While Rob has come a long way since those lessons and from his native Indianapolis, his love for creating original compositions is still at the heart of his contemporary piano music. His music reflects his experiences with faith, love, loss (including his mother at age eleven), growing pains, college years, fatherhood, time living in Los Angeles, San Diego, Chicago, and Indiana, and travels throughout the United States, Canada, Italy, Mexico, the Caribbean and more.
"Traveling shows me so much diversity and beauty in the world, which I need to acknowledge and express," says Costlow.
Growing up in a large family helped Rob become focused and tenacious. As the youngest of six boys, Rob had to get used to seizing every opportunity that came his way. While working on his Master's Degree, Rob unofficially started his record label, TOURIST RECORDS®, based on a fictitious business plan. In 2002, Rob released his first professional solo project, Sophomore Jinx, containing all original music. He officially founded TOURIST RECORDS® in 2004.
Through TOURIST RECORDS®, Rob hopes to continue to inspire both aspiring and established artists to make their unique impact in the world.
Rob continues to compose, is a three-time Independent Music Awards finalist, and has gained fans of all ages around the world. He also licenses music to websites, videos, films, TV, podcasts, apps, and compilations.
"Music is about inspiration," says Costlow. "Inspiring others, overcoming challenges, making dreams a reality, supporting the human spirit, and capturing or complementing the human spirit in specific states of emotion. I never force myself to compose. I do it when I have a story to tell and take things a day at a time."