Velvet-voiced troubadour Rob Snarski today unveils his brand new album, Sparrow & Swan.
Since his acclaimed debut solo album Wounded Bird, there’s been an album of cover songs, Low Fidelity(recorded by request on an iphone) then the return to his beloved band The Blackeyed Susans for the album Close Your Eyes and See... and in-between a set of short whimsical, music and family related tales within his sweet memoir You’re Not Rob Snarski ~ Crumbs from the Cake.
So it makes perfect sense that Sparrow & Swan sees a gravitational pull towards the narrative, a change in direction and the songwriting process. Conversation turns into song, late night tales become tunes - there are stories from Brisbane cab drivers, girls from Belfast ‘74 in search of Van Morrison, football players and their protégés, relationships sparked in TABs, sightings of Robert Mitchum at Mitcham Station, a sailor in search of Helsinki, and the weather - there’s always the weather, the extremities - the sun burning a hole in the sky or snow falling upon ancient ice ...and birds, what’s with the birds?
The album was recorded over spring and summer at Yikesville Studios in Yarraville with maestro guitarist Shane O’Mara at the helm along with Snarski whispering instructions. A delightful cast of musicians contributed to the recording including the vocal talents of Rebecca Barnard, acclaimed gal duo Broads, the wandering hands of Kiernan Box on piano, both Ben Franz and Rosie Westbrook on double bass and Ben Wiesner on drums and percussion.
The musical palette lies somewhere between Havana and Helsinki - think a Cuban cigar with a licorice ice cream. With Snarski's golden croon, comes O’Mara’s distinctive guitar, the gal’s jaw dropping harmonies, an exquisite rhythm section where double bass is king - all carrying these poignant, epic tales. This album includes some beautiful, inspired writing, reams and reams of lyrics.
For the launch of Sparrow & Swan, Rob Snarski and Shane O'Mara will tour nationally taking in Melbourne (playing twice with the full band), Adelaide (two shows on April 14th), Marrickville, Canberra and Brisbane, before returning to Victoria in mid June to finish up in Castlemaine and Ballarat.
Album launches:
Friday 5 April - Caravan Music Club, Melbourne VIC | Tickets
Sunday 14 April (2pm) - The Wheatsheaf Hotel, Adelaide SA | Tickets
Sunday 14 April (5pm) - The Wheatsheaf Hotel, Adelaide SA | Tickets
Saturday 4 May - The Spotted Mallard, Melbourne VIC | Tickets
Friday 10 May - Camelot Lounge, Marrickville NSW | Tickets
Saturday 25 May - Smith's Alternative, Canberra ACT | Tickets
Saturday 1 June (4:30pm) - The Junk Bar, Brisbane QLD | Tickets
Saturday 1 June (7:30pm) - The Junk Bar, Brisbane QLD | Tickets
Friday 14 June - The Bridge Hotel, Castlemaine VIC | Tickets
Saturday 15 June - The Lost Ones Basement Bar, Ballarat VIC | Tickets
