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Rob Lear

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Rob Lear
Birth nameRobert Lear
BornMid Glamorgan, Wales
OriginWales
GenresAcoustic, Singer-songwriter, Folk Rock, Pop, Country Folk, Indie rock, Alternative rock, Americana, Cymru-cana
Occupation(s)Singer, Songwriter
InstrumentVocals Guitar Keyboards Ukulele Mandolin
Years active1995–present
MembersRob Lear
Terry Payne
Pete Hurley
Liz Mullins
Brett Green
Tim Robinson
Websiteroblearmusic.com

Rob Lear is a Welsh-based singer-songwriter. He began his career as the principal songwriter and lead singer of Welsh bands Lear and the Proud Marys. An early solo performance came supporting Rue Royale on January 27th 2013 in the venue 10 Feet Tall[1], Cardiff.

His music has seen him tour the UK and Europe, including a residency at Liverpool’s Cavern Club, performances at Wembley Arena and playing support to Amy Wadge, Henry Priestman, Bernard Butler and Ian McCulloch. As a dedicated song-smith he has also been sought after to co-write songs from Country to R&B, has co-written for UK X-Factor Quarter-finalist Katie Waissel, Spanish Electronic dance music artist Edge of Universe and Electronic dance music Ramsgate, England based trio Lua Sonique[2]. He has also written songs for animated films, as well as for the 2012 British motion picture musical "Rain: An Original Musical"[3] (aka 'Summertime') by Tornado Independent Films Ltd[4][5] and Directed by Maxine Evans[6].

Lear was voted the best live act[citation needed] while touring Scotland, during which he played in support of Mark Morriss, Dodgy, Mystery Jets, Tom Hingley, Stories, The Crocketts and Thousand Reasons.[7]

The Rob Lear Band blends instrumentalists including Van Morrison bassist Pete Hurley, African rhythm student Liz Mullins, Country Music guitarist Brett Green, Back Of Beyond’s drummer Tim Robinson and flautist & acoustic guitarist Terry Payne.

History

2010-2012: Solo beginnings and Little Acorns and the A Million Stars: A Mini Album

From August 2010 to June 2011 Lear wrote and recorded a number of songs for the 2012 South Wales based film "Rain: An Original Musical"[8] (aka 'Summertime') released by Tornado Independent Films Ltd[9][10]. The songs included, in the Soundtrack, were 'Two Steps Behind You', 'We’re So Young', 'The Cull-de-sac Tango' and 'Fight scene theme'.

Lear’s first solo recording, ‘A Million Stars’, was a six track Mini Album/E.P., the success of which resulted in the title track becoming Welsh Single of the Week on BBC Radio Wales, as featured on the Roy Noble show [11]. Rob’s second single ‘Little Acorns’, produced by celebrated producer Greg Haver was also made Welsh Single of the Week on BBC Radio Wales. Following these releases Lear linked up with a unique and eclectic supporting band of musicians which added "djembe", "accordion", "bass guitar" and "guitar" to the live line-up.

Between February and April 2012 Lear co-wrote and recorded the songs 'Air', 'Everyone Everything' and 'Reflections (Physics)' for the 'No More Silence EP' by Spanish Language Emo Musician Alen Seed release, Modern World Studio produced by Greg Haver.

During May 2012 he teamed up with 2011 UK X Factor Quarter-finalist Katie Waissel and her band The Red Velvet Lovers at Tetbury, England and co-wrote the songs 'Geek Chic' and 'Straight up, Straight laced'. These songs appear on her 2020 self-titled solo album ('Geek Chic' is renamed 'Geek').[12]

2013-2015: The release of debut studio album Let It Go

On the back of the success of 'Little Acorns' and 'A Million Star: A Mini Album' Lear released the debut album 'Let It Go' a further success and the release saw Lear become Welsh Artist of The Week for two consecutive weeks via BBC Radio Wales.[13][14]

The success of the Let It Go release was quickly followed by appearances playing a host of shows and summer festivals alongside the likes of Seth Lakeman, Show of Hands, The Mystery Jets, Hayseed Dixie and Martin Simpson.

“If nothing happens to these songs then the record industry must have s*** in their ears” – Kingsley Ward, Founder of Rockfield Studios [15]

About recording the album Lear has said "there are some personal stories that I don't mind telling people about, like (the song) No Way Home which follows the story of my mother's grandmother's family who sold everything to leave Dublin, jump on a boat and come to Cardiff to find work. Selling up in a time when there were no benefits and taking that step looking for a better life seemed like a courageous thing to do. Others songs are personal, but in a more emphatic way where I've drawn inspiration on a situation where I've been an observer".[16]

During May 2014 Lear provided Top-Line melody work and vocal recording for Ramsgate based Electronic dance music artists Lua Sonique on their release of 'It All'[17], playlisted on BBC Radio One, BBC Introducing in 2015 as 'Record of The Week' in conjunction with their 'Lines' album '.[18]

2015 saw Lear collaborate with another Electronic dance music musician, this time with Spanish Electronic dance music artist Edge of Universe (aka Alen Seed) on the track 'Ama La Vida'. The Latin pop track featured Lear on co-writing and vocal duties, the track also featured Leo Diaz.[19][20][21][22]

2016-2019: The release of second studio album Motorcycle Heart

From his base in the Welsh valleys, 2016 saw the release of Lear’s second album, ‘Motorcycle Heart’, and as with his debut album ‘Let It Go’, once again, Rob teamed up with Richard Thompson (musician)’s Grammy nominated Producer (music) (from their work on the album "Dream Attic") Simon Tassano [23] as co-producer along with Cardiff's Ty Drwg Studio's, Frank Naughton.

The album blended all the skills and influences of Lear’s band to produce 12 tracks that bridged Americana, Folk, Country Music and Pop. The songs themselves took their inspiration from Lear’s experience growing up in a homestead dominated by motorcycles and motorcyclists and the unique characters and stories that flowed from them.

During 2018, 2019 and 2020 Lear provided Vocals, Keyboards and Guitar for the tracks "Rabbit Hole"[24][25], "I Don't Wanna Die In Minnesota {Part II}"[26] and "Choke" for the album "Working To Design"[27] by Welsh singer-songwriter Anthony Price[28] (under musical pseudonym name "dunkie").[29]. He also appeared within the "dunkie" live band set in early 2020 providing Synth, Percussion and Backing Vocals duties alongside Terry Phillips (Acoustic Guitar and Electric Guitar), Adam Price (Electric Guitar), Dorian Richard Holmes (Bass Guitar), Charlotte Jayne Goodwin (Trumpet and Violin), Gareth Anthony (Piano / Keyboard), Adam Gregory (Drums) and Music Producer Wayne Bassett (Electric Guitar).

2020: Writing and recording for the forthcoming album

Discography

Main article: Rob Lear: Solo Discography
  1. A Million Stars
  2. Beautiful Face
  3. Snowblind
  4. Willow
  5. Heaven Help
  6. I Saw Her
  1. Never Do
  2. Elvis
  3. What You Do
  4. Let It Go
  5. Christine
  6. Just Love
  7. HeartStrings
  8. Hearts On The Radio
  9. Strange Birds
  10. No Way Home
  11. I Want It Back
  12. Coming Down
  1. Grace
  2. Look Me Up
  3. Light Of My Life
  4. Michael
  5. Strung Out
  6. Didn't I
  7. Who
  8. Elfinman
  9. Carry On
  10. Too Beautiful
  11. Beseeched
  12. I Want You

References

  1. ^ {{cite web | url=https://www.getawriggleon.com/guides/cardiff/10-feet-tall
  2. ^ https://www.bbc.co.uk/music/artists/d6b4a3ec-3810-4225-9a5d-2d318a3be43c
  3. ^ {{cite web | url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2215435/
  4. ^ {{cite web | url=https://cineuropa.org/en/prodcompany/157079/
  5. ^ {{cite web | url=http://film-directory.britishcouncil.org/summertime
  6. ^ https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1468768/
  7. ^ Dave Owens (12 July 2011). "Rob Lear Review". South Wales Echo. Retrieved 17 September 2011.
  8. ^ {{cite web | url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2215435/
  9. ^ {{cite web | url=https://cineuropa.org/en/prodcompany/157079/
  10. ^ {{cite web | url=http://film-directory.britishcouncil.org/summertime
  11. ^ Rob Noble (20 September 2011). "Rob Lear Radio Interview". BBC Radio Wales. Retrieved 21 August 2020.
  12. ^ https://open.spotify.com/album/5JmoMce3o3uuwd1jR8p6V8?si=g-qrI9XpQKao3EaF7EJDyQ
  13. ^ Louise Elliott (6 March 2013). "Welsh Artist of The Week". BBC Radio Wales. Retrieved 21 August 2020.
  14. ^ Louise Elliott (13 March 2013). "Welsh Artist of The Week". BBC Radio Wales. Retrieved 21 August 2020.
  15. ^ Dave Owens (12 July 2011). "Futuretown & Rob Lear Review". WalesOnline. Retrieved 22 March 2013.
  16. ^ Jessica Risby, Stephen Round, Dexter Walkley, Sam Rees and Darren Warner. "Rob Lear Interview". Plugged In Magazine Wales.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  17. ^ https://https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dxxKszdmlM0&
  18. ^ BBC Radio (11 April 2015). "Record of The Week". BBC Music Introducing in Kent. Retrieved 21 August 2020.
  19. ^ https://open.spotify.com/album/6KOMOd9PJ2SwUVY6LvA7Cd
  20. ^ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=21dGQe6_8DU
  21. ^ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7mT12LESBlc
  22. ^ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QY_ciVZfH0c
  23. ^ {{cite web | url=https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dream_Attic
  24. ^ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YaSNT6bTPbs
  25. ^ https://open.spotify.com/track/5NeiZSQxl0d0BBzjAwstye?si=cIa9oP78SqCZjPKcYMoTzA
  26. ^ https://open.spotify.com/track/3neu4Sg2ZxAYufAmTMEBN4?si=ubWcQBx2RsigyhZ6ni0q6w
  27. ^ https://open.spotify.com/album/2XbkVYf3jxMWGuVeRaFlur?si=oUjk0bR2SlO37zoEShn8qQ
  28. ^ {{cite web|url=https://bigtakeover.com/recordings/DunkieWorkingToDesignSWNDRecords
  29. ^ {{cite web|url=https://eclecticmusiclover.com/2020/02/05/dunkie-album-review-working-to-design/

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  1. ^ https://issuu.com/plugged_in_magazine/docs/plugged_in_issue_17, pp 18-19
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