Rob Smith

Rob Smith is a producer, songwriter, arranger, vocalist, guitarist - although many can claim to be good at either of these, Rob although terribly humble about it - evidence proves he is great at all of these tasks. Rob has spent a number of decades treading the boards of New Zealand with a few different bands (notably The Bronx, The Candles, Taranatula, Snapdragon & Crazy Paving) and now with his covers/originals band Quadraphonic he is a out there still plying his craft week after week...

Rob Smith is a producer, songwriter, arranger, vocalist, guitarist - although many can claim to be good at either of these, Rob although terribly humble about it - evidence proves he is great at all of these tasks. Rob has spent a number of decades treading the boards of New Zealand with a few different bands (notably The Bronx, The Candles, Taranatula, Snapdragon & Crazy Paving) and now with his covers/originals band Quadraphonic he is a out there still plying his craft week after week in Taranaki, New Zealand. Not content to let his original material pile up and not be heard, Rob officially set up in 2004 his own label (in collaboration with songwriting partner - and future GONE WILD bandmate - Richard Anderson), Polar Music New Zealand has been thriving ever since. 2005 saw the release of Rob's debut album "Be Careful What You Wish For", many of the songs from this album have recieved airplay both in New Zealand and overseas. 2006 saw the release of the 2nd Rob Smith solo album (and most certainly not the last) - "Actions Speak Louder Than Words". 2006 saw the collaboration processes take to another level, this time with studio band GONE WILD (who Rob produces, plays guitar and sings for), their debut album "GONE WILD" was released in January of 2007. Not content to rest on his laurels, Rob continued writing and producing various projects through-out 2007 (including starting production of "GONE WILD II" and also several tracks from his wife Carol Smith's upcoming debut album). One project that came to mean a lot to Rob was producing, arranging and playing (and in some cases writing) songs on his father - Houston Wells' double album (of remastered classics and new material) - "Now & Then: From Joe Meek To New Zealand" which was released in March 2008 by Jasmine Records UK. Another career highlight came when GONE WILD were invited to take part in a compilation album ("Skater Rock Vol 1-3") released via Versailles Records in the USA - this meant that finally Rob (and his pals) were to be heard alongside some of the big names in rock music history. Collaborations with overseas artists has been something that although previously not thought of being possible, this has indeed become a reality for Rob, most notably with the "Something To Remember" album which features Hayley Oliver from the UK sharing vocal duties and Richard Anderson helping out with some of the songwriting. This project will be released early in 2009. "Atmospheres" is a vocal/piano project with Nils-Ole Finbak of Norway due for release in 2009. A 3rd Rob Smith solo album "Never A Dull Moment" will be released in 2009. GONE WILD have also contributed a song to yet another Versailles Records release for 2009 - "Anthem Rock" - "Rock This World" being written and recorded especially. Projects from various stages of Rob's writing & recording career have been released in 2008 due to demand from fans - Looking back to the past with The Candles - "The Best Of The Candles" features both studio and live recordings from the band that Rob was most prolific with, having had his brother Phil as bass player in this band also meaning a lot. "In The Stars" (credited to Rob Smith & Friends) was a project that has sat in the Polar Music archives for a number of years that finally saw the light of day - some lovely songs and some real rockers are on this album. "Destiny" an album of tracks that were left off Rob's debut album but recorded during the same sessions was released as an archive release as well, several other such releases may follow in the near future depending on demand. Another upcoming project that means a lot to Rob personally is his 2-CD semi-acoustic set "No Smoking" which will feature both new material and songs which date back to the very start of when he was writing, this collection will also feature songwriting collaborations - including the first ever with his mother. One things for sure, no matter what success Rob may have had and will have - Rob Smith will live up to what was only ever originally a personal goal of leaving a musical legacy for future generations of his family to hear and hopefully be proud of. Related Links: http://www.soundclick.com/robsmith/ http://www.soundclick.com/gonewild/ http://www.soundclick.com/somethingtoremember/ http://www.soundclick.com/carolsmith/ http://www.soundclick.com/houstonwells/