event

Joe Robinson, Brian Tarter
Sun December 2, 2018 7:00 pm (Doors: 6:00 pm )
The Southgate House Revival - Revival Room
All Ages
$18 adv/ $20 dos
Joe Robinson

Joe Robinson is a world-class virtuoso guitarist and singer/songwriter with a unique musical sensibility, injecting a unique fusion of rock, soul, blues, R&B and jazz into a fresh sound that is entirely his own. Displaying his virtuosity on electric as well as acoustic guitar, Robinson was voted “Best New Talent” in the Guitar Player Readers’ Poll and landed a coveted spot as one of Australian Guitar Magazine’s Top 50 Best Guitarists.

Robinson’s talents were further recognized by Guitar Player magazine as part of a cover story entitled “Youthquake 2017: Ten Mind-Blowing Young Guitarists.” In the article, Guitar Player observes Robinson is “equally mind-blowing as an acoustic fingerpicker and electric soloist…his YouTube videos display an astounding combination of taste, speed, cagey phrasing, and a clear, articulate, and sparking tone."

Robinson started playing guitar at age nine and when he quickly outpaced his guitar instructor, began educating himself via the internet. At age 11, he was a touring guitarist and at just 13 years old, he won the Australian National Songwriting Competition. Within a couple of years he was touring regularly and sharing stages with artists such as Tommy and Phil Emmanuel, both of whom served as mentors. When a 16-year-old Robinson burned through a Chet-inflected medley of “Day Tripper” and “Lady Madonna” in 2008 at the opening round of the nationally broadcast Australia’s Got Talent television series competition, the entire house—including the judges—gave him a standing ovation. He went on to win $250k with his take on Tommy Emmanuel’s arrangement of “Classical Gas.”

Robinson has toured North America and abroad (China, Japan, Europe, and Australia) playing numerous festivals, including Bonnaroo, and has headlined clubs, which has enabled him to define himself as a budding world visionary. In his solo show, there are a few moments where he physically has two guitars — one acoustic and one electric — strapped over his shoulder and is playing them expertly at the same time.

In addition to extensive touring on his own, Robinson toured with Guitar Army featuring fellow master guitarists/singers/songwriters Robben Ford and Lee Roy Parnell in 2016, and in 2017, Robinson joined guitar greats John Jorgenson and Lee Roy Parnell in Guitar Army on the road and in the studio.

Robinson is currently recording his highly-awaited fourth solo album (a follow-up to his acclaimed Gemini, Vol. 1 and Gemini, Vol. 2 EP’s). He has also keeps a busy schedule on the road with solo dates and shows with Tommy Emmanuel, Rodney Crowell (opening shows and as a member of Crowell’s acoustic trio), and Edwin McCain, among others.

“It’s not hard to imagine him rivaling the popularity of, say, John Mayer in coming years.” - Washington Post

Brian Tarter

Brian Tarter of Brass Owl