Tell us about your new single/ album/ tour?
LOW FIDELITY is an album of songs by request, initially recorded on my iphone, then embellished, tampered and tinkered with by guitar maestro / producer Shane O’Mara at Yikesville Studios.
It came about as part of a humble crowd funding campaign for the WOUNDED BIRD CD … “I’ll record your favourite tune, or a song you’d like to hear me sing on my iphone and email it back ” … I liked the collection of requests that came through and thought it had some “moments” that made it worthy of releasing … a different slant on both recording and with a little foresight a different kinda tour / show ahead.
How many albums have been recorded on an iphone anyway … I have no idea.
How would you describe your sound in food form and why?
It’s like a big bag of blue corn chips … salty, crunchy, with a bite … difficult to stop yourself after eating just one or two so you have to wash it down with a can of Cel-Ray (celery soda). Simple things are best I have to say.
Which song resonates most strongly and why?
Because they’re covers / requests it’s difficult to pick one. Some songs requested are very personnel choices and the stories behind them are moving in themselves. So I’ll start my own little categories instead to throw you off the question.
Quirkiest would be a toss between BABIES by PULP or BAD MAN by GREG OBLIVION & THE TIP TOPS.
Most epic THE FLOOD JOHANNA by CHAD’S TREE or WOLVES by PHOSPHORESCENT
Most classic song choice WITCHITA LINEMAN or WILD IS THE WIND …
Best country tune TURNING OFF A MEMORY by MERLE HAGGARD or WILLIE NELSON’S THE WAY YOU SEE ME … Anyway I guess they all resonate to a degree, otherwise they’d be impossible for me to sing.
Any on the road anecdotes?
We’d just flown into Adelaide and were crossing the tarmac to get to the terminal and a woman ran up to Shane and said “I feel like I should know you … (pause) … do you play in INXS?”
Where do you draw inspiration from?
Words said, words read, music heard, things seen.
What’s next for you?
Finishing up the tour for LOW FIDELITY in October with shows in Melbourne, Brisbane and Adelaide.
I’m in the middle of the next recording with The Blackeyed Susans … and I’m heading to New York in November.
What’s your scene?
Quiet times on the balcony with partner, pooch and bird life. Pipe and slippers and a cardigan thanks.
About Rob Snarski
Long time staple of the Australian music scene, Blackeyed Susan’s singer Rob Snarski is hitting the road this October to perform songs from his re-
cently released album Low Fidelity (Songs by Request Volume 1). Witnessing Rob deliver these carefully crafted songs live in intimate settings with that honey-voiced sophistication is the ultimate way to take in his finely honed musicianship.
Low Fidelity is an album that showcases solo recordings made by Rob Snarski in his home, singing songs requested by fans and originally re-
corded very simply, straight onto his iPhone. From the hills of Tecoma, the recordings made their way to Yikesville, home of studio boss and guitar-
ist Shane O’Mara for studio augmentation and mixing. Mastered by the inimitable Mikey Young, the result is an album that is warm and rich and deliciously stripped back and honest.
Hailed by respected music writer Michael Dwyer as having “evolved the right vocal equipment to make one tiny speaker ring like the whole world under bedclothes in the dark”, Low Fidelity includes 18 hand-made tracks from Nina Simone, Lou Reed, Spiritualised, Pulp, Glen Campbell, Lee Ha- zelwood, Joni Mitchell and Fred Neil amongst others.
Snarski says “I’ve always had a penchant for 4-track demos and lo-fi home recordings especially back in the day of tape. To me they’ve held a charm and honesty where the flaws become the strengths; there’s usually a more relaxed vocal delivery, an unbalanced mix and some awkward arrange- ments, which for whatever reason sound sweet to my ears”.
“This collection of songs were requested by fans and friends and all were recorded at home in the hills of Tecoma – in the kitchen, office and bed-
room on my iPhone. I hadn’t really set about recording the songs meticulously and it wasn’t until late into the project it dawned on me I was gathering quite an interesting collection of song requests and perhaps other likeminded lo-fi music loving folk may enjoy them as well.“
Joining Rob Snarski on part of the tour will be guitar maestro / producer Shane O’Mara at The Spotted Mallard (Brunswick) on October 16th and The Flying Saucer Club (Elsternwick) on October 23rd, as well as October 30th at Trinity Sessions (set in the beautiful old Church Of The Trinity, Adelaide).
Rob also plays two solo shows for Brisbane fans at The Junk Bar (Ash- grove’s answer to Twin Peaks) 7pm (early show) and 10pm (late show).
ROB SNARSKI TOUR DATES
FRI OCT 16
Rob Snarski & Shane O’Mara
The Spotted Mallard
314 Sydney Rd, Brunswick, VIC
with special guests Alison Ferrier & Jed Rowe
Tickets via Moshtix
FRI OCT 23
Rob Snarski & Shane O’Mara
The Flying Saucer Club
4 St Georges Rd, Elsternwick, VIC
wth special guests Broads
Tickets via the venue website
SAT OCT 24
Rob Snarski solo Low Fidelity (Songs by Request Volume 1)
7pm EARLY SHOW & 10pm LATE SHOW
The Junk Bar
215 Waterworks Rd, Ashgrove QLD
Tickets via Oztix
FRI OCT 30
Rob Snarski & Shane O’Mara
Trinity Sessions
318 Goodwood Road, Clarence Park, Adelaide, SA
Tickets via www.dramatix.com.au
For more information go to :
www.robsnarski.com
www.facebook.com/RobSnarski
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