A spectre is haunting Melbourne - the spectre of Aussie Rob.
This band of austere slobs are a modern Australian Jazz group, inspiring the next generation of quasi-intellectuals and dilettantes alike. After a 3 year sabbatical and recent speaking tour - contents of which remain non-disclosed - Rob has returned to his slightly less problematic routes of churning out spiritual and morally cleansing music.
The success of Aussie Rob’s debut album, Bogans Like Jazz Too (2019), sparked a crisis, a deep questioning of his identity. ‘What does it mean to be Aussie Rob? Heck, what does it mean to be Aussie? Is that all I am? Can such an earnest man exist in such an ironic age? Will this be brushed off as parody, rather than a true expression of the self?’ This time of inner turmoil and questioning of his cultural and personal identity sent Rob into a deep despair; driven to the bottle and delving into a slew of hedonistic behaviours. Thankfully, this quashed all lingering concerns and personal issues and he returned to life as normal.
Unlike many jaded jazz composers, Aussie Rob borrows strongly from modern folk and alternative rock groups. His music is influenced by the compositional works of Booker Little, Shannon Barnett, Gian Slater, Adrianne Lenker and Satan. Rob’s music focuses on contrasting sonic landscapes, using the groundbreaking compositional technique of ‘controlled weirdness’, providing a distinctive sound to each composition. The band’s sound is informed by modern jazz, experimental folk, and old fashioned rock and/or roll.The band contains the ethereal musical talents of Bede Ford-Gaddes (trumpet), Callum Mintzis (trombone), Paul Kascamanidis (guitar), Robbie Finch (double bass, also reported by litigious reporters to be Aussie Rob) and Lewis Pierre (drums).
Now, it is your time to act! Suspend your days of overstimulation and embrace the stupor induced by Aussie Rob. Let his warm light shine upon you and do not question its source or motivations.
Dilettantes of Melbourne, Unite!
Matt O’Brien blends indie rock, folk and pop to share his perspectives on love, loss and hope for the future. Matt has drawn influence recently from artists such as Alex G, Andy Shauf, Weyes Blood and Bon Iver, yet Matt’s sound and songwriting approach is uniquely his own. Featuring Kyle Muir (guitar), Noah Hutchinson (bass) and David Quested (drums).
