Rob is a prolific, talented and accomplished writer, lyricist, keyboard player, and vocalist. His music ranges from intensely intimate and acoustic to a powerful broad atmospheric sound with swirling synthesizers, 'cathedralesque' organs and deep bass sounds.
Rob is also lead male vocalist and keyboard player with the UK rock band, TOUCHSTONE - see www.touchstonemusic.co.uk and www.myspace.com/touchstonemusicuk.
He also makes a splendid cup of tea.
Influences
Vast - from Genesis and Peter Gabriel, to Sting and Elton John; from Pink Floyd, Asia and Yes to Coldplay, Keane, and P J Harvey, and so the list goes on....
Biog
Rob is a prolific, talented and accomplished writer, lyricist, keyboard player, and vocalist. His music ranges from intensely intimate and acoustic to a powerful broad atmospheric sound with swirling synthesizers, 'cathedralesque' organs and deep bass sounds.
He also makes a splendid cup of tea.
Influences
Vast - from Genesis and Peter Gabriel, to Sting and Elton John; from Pink Floyd, Asia and Yes to Coldplay, Keane, and P J Harvey, and so the list goes on.
History
In the early days, he formed a school band called 'Telpa Europa' (Latin for 'earthworm'!). As Rob says 'great name not so great band!'.
A few years later, in the early '80's, he and Andrew Wildman collaborated to form a contemporary rock band called 'Cinema' and wrote the concept album 'Golden Ring'.
In the early 90's, Rob gigged regularly on keyboards with a Rhythm'n' Blues band, The Waterbreakers. This gave him extensive gigging experience as well as an insight into, and an overview of, a different musical genre. He was, however, always itching to write his own material, work on developing his own musical style, and form a band in which he could express himself.
Rob then formed 'Ghost' in late 1995 with Andrew Wildman, and became the main writer and core of the group, at which time they met guitarist Michael Daly, and the 'Ghost' sound was born. In 1999/2000 Rob was then heavily involved with developing and composing parts of the music for 'The Orpheus Project' which included a classical piano piece written by Rob especially for this new millennium project.
The next natural progression for Rob was to write and produce his own solo album - the result of which is his thought-provoking album - 'Behind The Orchard Tree' - released in March 2002.
Touchstone
As a result of a wish to gig the album the next step was to form a new band to work on developing the album material for a live set, as well as working on more material.
A Meeting of Minds
After Adam Hodgson sent Rob his masterpiece instrumental album, SSOTS, Rob met up with Adam on 4th February 2003, and it was clear from day one that the similarity in tastes, difference in influences and diversity in creative thinking would lead to a new and exciting sound and so the Touchstone sound was born.
Fave Albums
No particular order...
Picture: Kino (sheer mustard - every track a gem)
Small Creep's Day: Mike Rutherford (a little known classic)
Wind & Wuthering: Genesis (timeless - always sounds fresh)
The Lamb Lies Down On Broadway: Genesis (unique and innovative)
90125: Yes (awesome)
Asia: Asia (big, dramatic, powerful - great dynamics - excellent)
All This Time: Sting (superb compositions - his best yet)
Parachutes: Coldplay (great debut album)
Wish You Were Here: Pink Floyd (a timeless classic)
Brothers In Arms: Dire Straits (the quality of production is almost unparalleled)
Goodbye Yellow Brick Road: Elton John (grew up with this one)
Equipment info
Kurzweil PC2X + Classic and Orchestral Keys Expansion Boards
Korg Triton Studio 61 + Vintage Keys Expansion Board
Korg X5DR module
Roland AX-1
Ultimate Apex Plus (AX-48BP) two-tier column stand