Recently, the Weekender was able to take a time-out with Robert Randolph of Robert Randolph and the Family Band.

We spoke about the band, how fans perceive the band and just who Robert Randolph is away from the music.

Weekender: Why Northern Illinois University?

-Robert Randolph: We’ve been coming to the smaller colleges because larger bands play the large schools, and I feel that smaller schools have a lot of fans. It is also good to play colleges because students need musical uplift throughout the school year.

W: Do you prefer to play in smaller arenas as opposed to large arenas?

R.R.: Some places are better to play, but it depends on the room and where you are playing. But large places like Bonnaroo with large seas of people ready to rock out and be uplifted is amazing — nothing can compare to that.

W: How tight were you with your cousins Danyel Morgan (bassist) and Marcus Randolph (drummer) before you became the Family Band?

R.R.: We were very tight before the band. My whole family would get together at family gatherings like Thanksgiving and Christmas and lots of family members would bring instruments to play. The family would sit around, play and sing, and that’s kinda why I call it the Family Band. Because many times other family members are with the band on tour. The music we play also tries to create a family atmosphere.

W: What does Robert Randolph do when he’s not playing music?

R.R.: Playing Xbox or watching sports.

W: What’s your favorite sport?

R.R.: It’s a tie right now between football and basketball. There’s nothing like football on Sunday.

W: What’s your favorite team?

R.R: The New York Giants and the New York Knicks.

W: What’s tour life like?

R.R.: It’s a lot of time on the bus playing Xbox. But we play acoustic guitars and come up with new ideas and stuff. We get to go to different towns and view different cultures.