About Rob
During an appearance on National Radio's Friday Live, host Jim Mora called Rob the hardest working musician in NZ. He's a little embarrassed by this as he knows people who work harder, but he appreciates the compliment. He writes compulsively, tours incessantly, teaches guitar, produces albums, and can be found behind a mixing desk live and in the studio when time allows.
Rob moved to New Zealand from his native Sydney over 25 years ago. Since then he has maintained a consistently high profile in folk music circles in New Zealand, having released 10 albums with his bands Hobnail, Too Many Chiefs and The Shot Band, and touring the country regularly. He has been a finalist at the NZ Music Awards 3 times (twice for best country song, once for best folk album) and has had songs covered by bands in New Zealand and Canada.
In 2014 Rob released his second solo album, the stripped back acoustic "Black and White".
"Accomplished…powerfully beautiful…well focused songs…lived in voice"
- Graham Reid
Over the past few years, Rob produced Hobnail's long awaited 6th album, "String Things", a stellar showcase of new songs, old favourites re-recorded and crowd favourite cover songs they have made their own.
Following this he teamed up with Wellington songstress Kim Bonnington, producing her latest album and playing in her touring band. He then recorded an album with Too Many Chief sat Wellington's The Surgery with the multiple award-winning engineer Lee Prebble, and spent many many days travelling throughout NZ playing shows.
2017 proved to be a busy year, with Too Many Chiefs releasing and touring their debut album, and Hobnail recording, releasing & embarking on a national tour in support of their 7th album "Blue Sky Songs":
"This album has reached new heights and illustrates the evolvement of very good musicians who keep getting better" -Phil Taylor
Looking forward, mid 2019 will be Hobnail's 25th anniversary, and with a national tour and "Best Of" album planned, the hard work doesn't look to be easing. 2018 was supposed to be a year of planning, preparation and recuperation (with regular shows thrown in, of course), but Rob had these songs that were demanding to see the light of day, so it was off to the studio once again.
Rob's 3rd solo album "Pencarrow" is now available with a tour taking in Sydney, Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch and points in between.
No rest in sight then, and Rob wouldn't have it any other way.