EAST LANSING, Mich.—Caleb Robinson never felt that he chose to play drums. He felt that the drums chose him. He started drumming at 3 years old after watching his dad in church. He hasn’t stopped since then.
“It never felt like a choice. It just felt like something I had to do,” Robinson said.
On the evening of July 12, anyone in downtown East Lansing could hear Robinson’s band Reaching. His drums set the rhythm for those walking down Albert Avenue or sitting at El Azteco’s rooftop dining during the city’s Summer Concert Series.
Robinson started his band Reaching during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. He chose the band’s name after the title of his debut album, which was released that same year.
“Every time I play, I want to be able to reach for that feeling when the music is so good, so tight, so spiritual that it makes you want to dance. It makes you tune in,” Robinson said. “I want you to feel something. It’s kind of like trying to reach something or get out of this hole.”
He released this album after he earned an associate’s degree in fine arts and social sciences at Mott Community College in Flint. This education provided him with the foundation to learn more about reading and producing music, as well as branching out into other fields of music.
Three years later, he released his sophomore album titled “Going Home”. This R&B, hip-hop and soul fusion album showcased Robinson’s talent on the drums, as well as his voice.
“This album is really about just the phrase: Cut your own grass. You know, not looking at everybody else’s grass or looking at whatever everybody else got going on,” Robinson said. “So it’s just like focusing on yourself and getting yourself together to get to that place that you want to be. So that’s what going home is about.”
Whether it’s listening or playing, Robinson has always had a close connection with music and credits it to a lot of the growth in his life.
“I believe music helps people. If you think about it, any place has music,” Robinson said. “I believe music really is a spiritual thing. It changes your mood, where you are at in life, and what you’re doing. I believe music is so powerful, that’s what really encouraged me to make sure I take it seriously and give it my all.”
Sam Corey plays the bass and saxophone in the band and appreciates the musical relationship and friendship he has with Robinson. Robinson checks in on Corey frequently, which adds to Corey’s admiration of Robinson as a musician.
“[Robinson] is really dedicated, he has a vision, and you can see that vision,” Corey said. “He’s constantly evolving and seeing what new concepts he can come up with, always pushing creative boundaries. I think he is a really good example of growth and continuing to grow.”
Another member of the band, Wyatt Forhan, who plays the piano and trombone, reflected on the impact Robinson has made on the musicians around him.
“[Robinson] is one of the most hardworking individuals I’ve ever met and he’s one of my favorite people on this planet,” Forhan said. “Not only is he an incredible musician, but he’s also just an incredibly genuine person, which I feel like it’s kind of rare to find these days. He hustles like crazy, always on the search for the next gig. He’s such a down to earth person and really comes through his music.”
Forhan is proud to work alongside Robinson and to be able to watch Reaching grow. He looks forward to what Robinson has in store for the future.
“If you haven’t heard a Reaching show, or if you haven’t heard of Caleb Robinson, you will,” Forhan said.