Singer, songwriter, musician, and producer Rob Lamothe rose to fame as the lead vocalist for the Los Angeles rock band Riverdogs. His soul-stirring debut solo album, ‘Gravity’ (1996), introduced an introspective side to his songwriting, exploring the human experience and blending folk, rock, blues, and Americana with deep, reflective lyrics. An award-winning artist, he has shared stages with everyone from Guns’ n’ Roses to the Toronto Symphony Orchestra & Ron Sexsmith. He continues to create soulful, raw and authentic new sounds for music connoisseurs.
Rob Lamothe’s ‘Gravity‘ has been reissued on Deluxe Edition 2CD with 13 Bonus Tracks by independent label Border Town Sound (distributed by Lasgo Worldwide), Out Now, including alternate versions, demos, and live and unreleased tracks. ‘Gravity’ will also be available for the first time on vinyl, including Limited Edition Sky Blue Vinyl. Rob Lamothe’s catalogue of solo albums is also now available to stream digitally for the first time.
Recalling recording ‘Gravity’, Lamothe says: “I left longtime musical collaborators behind in Southern California and moved to Canada to be near my sons. For the next few months, I camped out in hotels and basements and carried my acoustic guitar to any open mic or jam session I could find. I was soon meeting and making music with some of the most talented musicians and singers I’d ever known, so I invited some of them to play and sing on the album. ‘Gravity’ benefitted from that, and every recording session was magical. Making ‘Gravity’ was medicine to me”.
Teasing a new solo album for release in late 2024, Rob Lamothe also releases two brand new singles: ‘I Want To Swim In The Big Dipper’ and ‘We Are The Water’
Rob says, “The new album includes a collaboration with First Nations artists and youths in Canada. We gathered words and melodies, ideas, and dreams from our conversation circles and poured them into a song, ‘We Are The Water’. The journey of this song began in 2019. Or maybe it began years before when my friend (and Juno Award nominee) Logan Staats and I first met at the Six Nations (the largest First Nations reserve in Canada). Or maybe it’s been waiting to be written ever since glaciers carved out the space that is now filled by Lake Erie. You can never tell with songs.”.
All of these ‘Bonus Tracks’ were written and recorded during the ‘Gravity era’; between 1992 and 1994, as I was starting to find my way as a solo singer-songwriter, moving away from the luxury/security of being in a rock band.
‘Love Is Permission’ played in the background on the TV show Melrose Place, while a few other songs I co-wrote haven’t seen the light of day until their inclusion here.
The live version of ‘Starting To Feel Like A Broken Heart’ is from an infamous live performance on Radio Veronica Countdown Cafe in the Netherlands, during a Riverdogs 1993 European tour. This recording features drummer Ronnie Ciago playing a cardboard box and a wine glass, along with James Michael (piano), Cary Beare (bass) and Nick Brophy (guitar). A once-in-a-lifetime moment.
A note about the ‘Grant Avenue Organic’ mixes; these were recorded by Robin Aube during ‘after-hour’ sessions at a Hamilton studio called Grant Avenue Studios (built by Daniel and Bob Lanois). I’ve included some of his raw/organic mixes here, as I think they truly show the essence of the songs… and you get to hear my original crushing electro harmonica solo that starts this version of ‘House Of The Rising Sun’. Enjoy! – Rob Lamothe
Karen Woodham is the founder and owner of the Blazing Minds. She is also a Cinema reviewer and works with RealD 3D reviewing the latest 3D releases and IMAX, she has also had several articles published in various publications including the first edition of SFW Magazine. In 2015 she became an Award Winning Blogger and also has her website listed as one of the UK’s Top 10 Film Blogs.
