Rob Longstaff - Nationalish tour coming soon!

Rob Longstaff (EST. 1979) is, amongst many things, an acoustic soloist, keen collaborator, avid hitchhiker and amateur street fighter whose musical stylings sit within a little known sub-genre he likes to describe as acoustic soul/funk.
Rarely do you meet an earthy and engaging storyteller with a stunning singing voice, who is a multi-instrumentalist, brilliant exponent of guitar, and has the ability to light up a room with his wit and charm. Rob Longstaff is such a person.
Musically speaking, he has a style that encapsulates blues, soul, funk and pop in both acoustic and electric formats. As a songwriter, he can bring a tear to the eye one minute, and generate laughter the next with his uncanny sense of humour.
A native of Melbourne, but with one foot planted firmly in Maleny, Queensland, Rob considers himself privileged to have worked with some of Melbourne’s finest musicians, notably, Savannah Blount (Tenor Saxophone), Fabrizio Giorgio (Drums), David Evans (Bass), Nick Wilkins (Trumpet), Andrew Pearson (Bass), Hue Blanes (Keyboards) and Andrew Vollmer (Tenor Saxophone)
His debut album, released in 2002, was an independent release titled “Ten tracks at a reasonable price”, which attracted outstanding critical reviews. Although performed semi-acoustically with and without various backup musicians, the album featured a full rhythm and brass section with his voice soaring over the top, a cross between Donny Hathaway and Sting.
2006 was a huge year for Rob with support slots for Martha Wainwright, Kate Ceberano, Rodrigo Y Gabriella, and a signing to Australia’s largest independent jazz label, Newmarket music, which funded the creation of his new album, “They can’t help you with the ladies”, which is out NOW.
Rob also managed to squeeze in a two month tour of India and Africa performing for orphans in Mumbai, Chennai, Accra, Cotonou, Kinshasa and Addis Ababa.
In late 2007 Rob will be abandoning the lucrative summer festival circuit in exchange for a campaign to Antarctica with The Sea Shepherd marine conservation society in an attempt to disable the Japanese whaling fleet, but before that, he will be hitting the east coast of Australia on his “They can’t help you with the Ladies” tour introducing the new album to a steadily growing legion of fans whilst raising a little cash and profile for Sea Shepherd along the way.
A favourite on the festival circuit with his semi-acoustic combo, Rob is equally at home fronting his hard hitting electric outfit, which features Fabrizio Giorgio on Drums; David Evans on Bass; Andrew Vollmer on sax and keys; and Rob on guitar, trumpet & vocals – all of whom are hitching a ride with him up the coast, laying down infectious rhythms that will keep audiences up on their feet.
It’s well and truly time for Rob Longstaff as his eager audiences already know, lapping up his every word, note and beat. Come along and enjoy the ride.
DISCLAIMER : Hey Guys, I didn't write this. A lovely publicity person did. Part of me is playing the proper music game and enjoying the prospect of making a living from my original tunes. Seriously, thank you for getting into my stuff. Luv Rob xx