THE DETAIL by Karen Conrad

Rob Draper released his debut album 'The Rest Are Details', through Soundvault Records a few years back. Produced and engineered by Ross Ryan (I Am Pegasus) the album was well received by critics and audiences alike.

In 2006 Rob headed overseas, travelling and performing in Europe, before settling in Camden Lock, London where he teamed up with fellow expat Dirty Mick. This Duo performed as Deadman’s Caravan (named after their Camden trailer residence), culminating in a three month residency at the ‘12 Bar Cafe’ on Denmark Street.

Horizons broadened, Rob arrived back in Melbourne in 2008 armed and dangerous. With his eye on a new album he hooked up with drummer (Ben Lindsay) and bass player (James Rogers) and set to work rehearsing and gigging his new material. 

Rob is a born performer. An accomplished actor he has featured in Australian TV shows such as Neighbours, Blue Heelers and Marshal Law and on stage in Lysistrata at the Fairfax Theatre.

"The world is full of singer/songwriters clutching their guitars with meaningful words. Fortunately, Rob Draper rises above the pack. Draper has a strangely appealing high, old-young voice, and an accomplished ear for a tune. His songs are lively, heartfelt and lyrically interesting." JEFF GLORFIELD (The Age)

As a young artist, Rob has already earned the respect of Australian musical statesmen such as Ross, Mike Rudd and Bill Putt of Spectrum, all of whom play on the ‘The Rest Are Details’. Influenced by many writers and musicians from the past and present, you can hear a vast background of music and literature lying comfortably within his work. Rob's songs are driven by the mysteries of the fairer sex and the search for identity in the noughties. His perceptions are fascinating and poetic. Everyone who comes in contact with his talent is impressed and the impression lasts.

Rob shares a birthday with one of his favourite artists, the legendary Ramblin' Jack Elliott, who he supported during Jack's most recent tour of Australia. They both soon found they had much more in common than their birth date - a shared love of telling tales and performing. After putting Rob thorough an auditioning test one morning in a St. Andrews countryside B&B, Jack told him, 'You remind me of the time when Bob Dylan first played to me. Something to say. Stick with it, you've got something there kid'.

"Going by his lyrics and that voice, Rob's crammed a lot of living into a short time" ROSS RYAN

A terrific live performer he has recently played with many of his favourite Australian artists such as Tex Perkins, James Reyne, Mark Seymour and Deborah Conway.

You can catch Rob’s shows all over Melbourne - regularly appearing at venues around Fitzroy, Brunswick, Northcote and St. Kilda.

Enjoy the music!

THE REST ARE DETAILS - Rob Draper (released in 2005)