Meet My Brother-In-Law
Ok, I don’t think it’s pimping out my brother-in-law if he’s actually an amazing musical talent. Which he is. And I’m not just saying it because we’re going to eventually be related when he marries my wonderful sister-in-law. My future bro to be, Mr. Rob Giles, is 100% musically brilliant. He’s played Willie Nelson’s beat-up Spanish guitar, jammed with Warren Haynes from the Allman Brothers, to drop a few names. By day he’s a songwriter and producer (and an exceptionally good one at that) in Los Angeles. By night he’s onstage rockin’ his own shows. My wife and I stayed with the happy couple in L.A. last week and had a chance to go see Rob play with a band for the first time (a band made up of players currently working with Moby and Our Lady Peace, it should be noted).
I’ve seen friends play over the years and struggled to find words of encouragement when they’ve been awful. One band in particular I saw 6 or 8 years ago and it was like needles in my already sensitive ears. Just horrible. But I had no problems watching Rob Giles, who’s completely captivating on stage, switching between guitar and piano, playing his own material along with a choice cover (a mash-up of Ratt’s ”Round and Round” and “Panama”).
Would I bring this up and write about Rob Giles if he wasn’t a solid talent? No way. The great thing is, he IS a solid talent, with impeccable taste and an actual gift at creating tunes that stick in your head. Like the video that I’ve posted below for “Boom Bang”, a song that’s bridge gives me chills each and every time I hear it. It’s perfect. Check it out, check out Rob’s myspace page for more music here, and then use ROBGILES as today’s bonus code. And if you’ve got some music you think is super good and want people to hear, send me some links. If I dig it, I’ll write about it. And if not, well, I won’t.
June 18th, 2008 at 2:56 pm
This came via email from Krista:
Hi Andrew, that’s cool you supporting your family, nothing wrong with that. Loved the video. I have a friend who is definitely one of the best unknown local talents, Alun Piggins. My husband and I used to own a pub
in the eastend of Toronto and had a lot of great musicians play there. There was singer song writer night on Sunday nights that was so amazing (was witness to a lot of musicians first time performing, very soul barring) I have to say though that no one could compare to Alun Piggins. He and bandmate Jay (drums) were recently featured on the front of the Metro paper for the North by Northwest music festival playing at the airport (he has been playing the NBNW for years). Please check out his webiste at www.alunpiggins.com. He really is something to see jamming live. (ps your right Giles song is playing in my head now). All the best. Krista
June 18th, 2008 at 6:15 pm
Great video, thanks for sharing, it takes a VERY confident man to wear bunny slippers!
Lee Ann
June 18th, 2008 at 10:47 pm
Dear Andrew,
I’ve known of a GREAT band who’s actually backing up for Bon Jovi at Bayfest in Sarnia on Sunday, July 6, 2008. There name is “See Spot Run” and they’ve been around for 30 years and this is by far the biggest break they’ve ever received. They are in direct support, meaning they will be on immediately before Bon Jovi. Low Level Flight will start the evening. Check out www.rogersbayfest.com for details.
If I could get a demo from them, would you listen to it and if you liked it, play them? They must be pretty darn good to back up “Bon Jovi” don’t you think?
Please let me know and I’ll contact my childhood friend who’s still with the band. Did you know about this concert and/if so, are you going to attend? This could be their BIGGEST break and I’d love for them to finally suceed and I’m almost positive that they already have one CD released.
Please let me know as I’d really appreciate it as I know you are all about music and finding new talent!!
Thanks a lot for listening and hope to hear from you soon,
April Pullen