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Rob McDade Print
Sunday, 27 January 2008
Adelaide-based solo progressive and new age instrumental rock guitarist.
A blend of beautiful solo acoustic instrumentals, plus wild electronic guitar loops.
"A highly talented and unique South Australian musician who comfortably spans a range of musical genres and styles...
An extremely creative and accomplished musician, songwriter, composer and performer who develops his work with passion and a high level of integrity. He brings to his composition and music the contemporary sounds of Australia which makes his work very accessible to audiences of all ages...often thought-provoking and always immediately engaging."

- Christine Schloithe, Executive Producer, Adelaide International Guitar Festival

" A very creative and talented musician."

- David Spelman, Founder & Artistic Director, New York Guitar Festival. Artistic Adviser & International Program Consultant, Adelaide International Guitar Festival

"Mr McDade's talent will continue to produce unique, thought-provoking, and emotion-laden music for years to come"

- Gary W. Franklin, Managing Partner, Fossil Records (Madison Co, IL, USA)

A brief musical biography...
I began playing guitar at the age of 16 over 20 years ago. With only a year of formal lessons at the beginning I am mainly self taught.

Over the years I have taught myself blues, rock, classical guitar and folk by studying the styles of many world class players such as Jimi Hendrix, Jimmy Page, Eric Clapton, David Gilmour, Robert Fripp, Steve Howe and Will Ackerman.

While I dabble with cover material and occasionally sing, my main focus is on original composition, with an emphasis on improvisation.

Over the years I have performed in groups, often playing local venues, as well as composing and performing for live theatre, and local community television.

More recently I have been developing a career as a solo performer. I have produced three albums of original instrumental guitar material : TERRAFIRMA (2007), TOUCHED BY THE SUN (2003) and EARTHROCK (2002).

The production of my latest album – Terrafirma – is the result of winning SCALA song writing awards and a recent film soundtrack.

I am a professional Librarian by day. I am married to Nicole South and we have a daughter Asha and a son Django.

Bands I've played in include:
Boating Accident 1986 - c1990
Mission Impossible 1989
Cat Ballou 1991/92 – 93

Theatre Productions in which I have provided music for include:

The Zoo Story by Edward Albee Mid-1990. Performed acoustic blues guitar.
Dracula January 1993. Co-wrote and performed rock score
Rawkus – University of Adelaide Theatre Guild 1995. I wrote the theme music for the play Criticism.

Film and Television Soundtrack work has included

ACE TV – former CH31 Station (ca 1993-1994)
Composed theme music and incidental music for ACE TV show Waychillin’.
I also began writing the score for an abandoned film Subtopia, (which was to be made by the same production company.)

1956 Flood
In mid 2006 I wrote and recorded a soundtrack work for this documentary film, produced by Apricot Film (Mildura).

Albums
Earthrock
Released on cassette in 1995. Re-released on CD in 2002. Had some success, including local sales and local airplay.
Signed to US progressive / instrumental label Fossil Records (www.fossilrecords.net); and had a lot of success on the Australian Digital Music Charts (www.mp3.com.au) – at one point achieving no 1 on the Instrumental Albums category; and no. 17 in the Rock Albums category.

Reviews of this album in SCALA NEWS Issue 91 (Jan / Feb 2003) and Rip It Up Issue 718 March 2003

Touched by the Sun
2003 CD. First serious solo recording in almost 10 years. More success with local airplay and local sales.
Review of this album Rip It Up Dec 2003 Personal Profile Article / Interview by Rob Lyon in Rip It Up Issue 765 Feb 2004 – following the success of album Touched by the Sun.

Terrafirma
2007 – latest album currently in release
Recorded with the SCALA prizes and using some of the FLOOD 1956 film soundtrack material. Mastered and manufactured with the assistance of an Arts SA grant. Launched at SCALA show in October 2007, and material showcased during Adelaide International Guitar Festival November / December 2007.

All my albums are available from the Adelaide Festival Centre shop, and online from my US distributor FOSSIL RECORDS. Terrafirma is also available from other internet distributors incl. CDBABY.

Live Solo Performance 2004 -
In 2004 I commenced irregular live work as an attempt to showcase my developing style of solo acoustic instrumental guitar playing.
In 2006 more serious efforts were made towards semi regular live work as a solo performer. Vocals were added to repertoire; and later electronic guitar loops to achieve a more sophisticated performance.

Highlight gigs:

January 2007 Space Theatre – supporting New York guitarist Kaki King.

November – December 2007 - featured guitarist at the Inaugural Adelaide International Guitar Festival. Performed on big stage at Elder Park for ON THE VERGE (demonstrating electronic experimental guitar looping), as well as SA GUNSLINGERS in the Wah Bar (showcase of SA guitarists, incl Chris Finnen, Rob Pippan, Heather Frahn). Also played a one hour acoustic pre-show set in the SPACE THEATRE foyer for Paul Odette (US classical guitarist)

AWARDS
2004 SCALA Award
Won the instrumental category in the SCALA FOOM (festival of original music) competition. The piece - Dickhead in a G-string, a 9 minute instrumental rock guitar extravaganza is included on the 2005 SCALA compilation CD Over the edge.

2006 SCALA Award
Won the instrumental category into the SCALA FOOM competition with my piece - Blue Moon Territory– is included on the 2007 SCALA compilation CD Shadows and Light.
2007 SCALA Awards
Won the instrumental category into the SCALA FOOM competition with my piece – Conspiracy Theory; and awarded a 'highly commended' for Nightfall.

 
Webpage: http://www.mp3.com.au/robmcdade
Location: Seaford, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
Description: Experimental and progressive solo instrumental guitar - A blend of beautiful solo acoustic instrumentals, plus wild electronic guitar loops.
Last Updated ( Saturday, 08 August 2009 )
 
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