'Like lighting the guitar on fire,' Robby Roadsteamer's path to internet fame goes deep into MAGA country

"Potylo was here to distill his acidic brand of political theater into something more lasting than a social media post: An album, maybe even a limited release vinyl, with photos from his arrests as cover art. "I want to do it like a Jimi Hendrix estate release," said Potylo, who wore a basketball jersey with the name "bias" on the back. Sporting wraparound sunglasses, a bandana on his head, and a growing catalog of raucous songs, Potylo has spent the past quarter century as an artist in search of an audience."

"The studio's laid-back vibe - low-slung couches, dim lighting - was a world away from the Trump rallies and anti-ICE protests where he usually performs as Roadsteamer, accruing tens of millions of online views and notching several arrests. As a sound engineer fiddled with vocal tracks, Potylo, who's risen to internet fame as his rowdy alter ego, Robby Roadsteamer, bopped his head to "Red MAGA Beret," his cheeky take on the old Prince anthem."

"For the most part, though, Potylo has worked the margins, living hand to mouth while nursing a break-out dream that seemed to dim by the year. Roadsteamer, an absurdist mash-up of pro wrestling swagger and Masshole rage, seemed increasingly out of step with the earnest liberalism of the past decade, an artist who'd missed his shot. Then came the vibe shift. Now, amid the alpha male peacocking and personal beefs"

Rob Potylo records music in a basement studio while developing his alter ego, Robby Roadsteamer. He performs at Trump rallies and anti-ICE protests, where his rowdy political theater has generated tens of millions of online views and multiple arrests. He aims to create a longer-lasting release, potentially an album or limited vinyl, using photos from arrests as cover art. Potylo describes the goal as resembling a Jimi Hendrix estate-style release. He has spent decades pursuing an audience through comedy, radio, satiric metal, web series, and albums, often working on the margins. A recent shift in audience response has renewed momentum for Roadsteamer.

Read at Boston.com