Josh Robbins of Late Bloomer & Self Aware Records
A Conversation Rooted in Charlotte’s Indie Soul
In this episode of Local Music Somewhere, host Greazy Keyz sits down with Josh Robbins, a true cornerstone of the Charlotte indie scene — musician, label founder, and creative force behind Self Aware Records. Since 2006, Josh has been shaping the city’s sound with passion and persistence. From playing in multiple bands like Late Bloomer and Alright to creating a zine-turned-record label, his story embodies the DIY spirit that keeps local music alive.
“I don’t want to save Charlotte. I think it needs just a light shown on it.”
A Journey Through Bands, Zines, and the Evolution of Sound
Josh’s musical story begins in Wilmington, with his early metal band Oblivion’s, before moving to Charlotte and diving headfirst into a series of genre-blending projects. From Obstruction to Pullman Strike to Late Bloomer, each band represented a new phase of experimentation and collaboration.
His band Late Bloomer recently completed a trilogy of albums, each one reflecting personal and artistic growth. Josh explained how their records — Things Change, Waiting, and Another One Again — serve as markers in time, showing the band’s evolving relationship with identity, growth, and healing.
“It’s like a trilogy of growing up… dealing with who I am and learning how to move forward.”
From Zine to Label: The Birth of Self Aware Records
In 2009, what began as a punk-inspired zine quickly morphed into the now-beloved Self Aware Records. Josh wanted to highlight Charlotte’s local artists while connecting them to a broader indie community. His vision was to make Charlotte part of the national music conversation — and over 50 releases later, Self Aware continues to do just that. Josh reflected on his mission: to give visibility to Charlotte artists and prove the city’s scene is just as rich as any major market. From local punk bands to international acts, his label has become a hub of collaboration and creative independence.
Charlotte’s Music Scene: A Slice of Something for Everyone
When Greazy Keyz asked Josh to describe Charlotte’s music scene as a dish, his answer was perfectly on brand: pizza.
Why? Because there’s plenty of variety — some slices are okay, but if you dig deeper, you’ll find the gems. Charlotte’s live music scene, like its pizza joints, rewards curiosity and community spirit.
Josh noted that while Charlotte might not yet be seen as a “national music city,” its strength lies in the people who show up — musicians, fans, and creatives who make it vibrant every night of the week.
Misconceptions and Local Myths
Josh pointed out a common misconception: that Charlotte lacks culture or energy. The truth, he says, is that you just need to know where to look. The city’s spread-out geography can hide its hotspots, but neighborhoods like NoDa and Plaza Midwood pulse with talent and creativity.
He added that local support systems and venues have grown stronger over the years, creating more inclusive spaces for diverse voices — especially within the punk, indie, and LGBTQ+ communities.
Stewardship and the Spirit of Punk
For Josh, being a “scene builder” isn’t about status — it’s about stewardship. Inspired by punk’s DIY ethics, he sees musicians not as stars but as peers. His approach to music and community centers around accessibility, collaboration, and authenticity.
He summed it up best:
“If you’re willing to be sonically diverse, there’s a lot you can do in Charlotte.”
Beyond the Music: Writing and Community Work
In addition to his musical endeavors, Josh contributes to Queen City Nerve, where he writes about current events, politics, and film — not music. He consciously avoids critiquing local musicians, choosing instead to uplift and spotlight the scene rather than judge it.
Charlotte’s First Walk of Fame Star
When asked which Charlotte musician deserves the first spot on a local walk of fame, Josh didn’t hesitate:
Andy the Doorbomb. To him, Andy represents everything unique and fearless about the city’s sound — blending creativity, chaos, and community into one unforgettable package.
🔥 Key Takeaways
- Josh Robbins has been a pillar of Charlotte’s indie music since 2006.
- His label, Self Aware Records, grew out of a DIY zine and now supports over 50 releases.
- Late Bloomer’s albums form a reflective trilogy about personal and creative growth.
- Charlotte’s scene is like pizza — diverse, layered, and full of hidden gems.
- True success, in Josh’s words, means “being yourself” — onstage, online, and in the community.
- His pick for Charlotte’s Walk of Fame: Andy the Doorbomb.
About Me – Josh Robbins
Put simply – my name is Josh Robbins and I run Self Aware Records and play in the bands Late Bloomer & Alright. Sometimes I write articles too.
The easiest place to direct people is 👉🏼 https://linktr.ee/otherjrobbins
I do a lot of different things & not in a way that I’m super proud of (half joking).
I run Self Aware Records and play in the bands Late Bloomer & Alright. As I enter the tail end of my thirties, those bands aren’t as active but we used to both tour a decent amount – those tours led us all over the US, Canada and on one trip, Japan.
I released my first ever solo songs as J Andrew last year. Only two tracks on that front so far.
I’ve been running Self Aware Records since 2009 and we’ve released over 50 albums, EPs and singles. You can find it all at bandcamp or on our website.
On top of all of this, I also used to host a podcast called Spinning Out, which ran for 200 episodes. We talked to artists about their favorite albums. Notable guests were Joanh Ray (MST3k), Tad Doyle, Art Alexakis (Everclear), Tim Showalter (Strand of Oaks), Doug Gillard (Guided by Voices) and so many more. That’s just off the top of my head. The podcast is no longer active BUT it morphed into a weekly substack.
I currently co-host a podcast called Jortscenter with a few of my long-time friends. It’s a comedy podcast on the episodes that we’re funny or just a current events podcast if you don’t find us funny.
In terms of more current items – Late Bloomer released our 4th album last year “Another One Again.” The band is alt/indie/punk in the vein of Sugar, The Replacements, Guided by Voices with a dash of Lemonheads. The band consists of Scott Wishart (Lunchbox Records), Neil Mauney (Family Friend), and little ol’ me.
Guests on the album include Sarah Blumenthal (Alright/Faye), Jarad Rogers (Nerve Endings), Rob Pennington (By the Grace of God), Elise Okusami (Oceanator), Stephen Pierce (Gold Dust) and last but not least Wes Hamilton (Pullman Strike).
If I must say so myself, it’s the best album we’ve ever done and I’m extremely proud of it.
Additionally – I did a series of EPs last year with my wife, Sarah Blumenthal (Faye, Alright, True Optimist) last year where we put out a new release every month. It was a lot of work, but definitely pushed us to be more creative. It’s nice to set little goals for oneself.
Lastly – I contribute to Queen City Nerve on a semi-regular basis. You can find my pieces here.
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