Robert Gillies

Artist Information

Biography

Born in Stirling, Scotland, as the only child of two musical parents, Robert Gillies began playing music at the age of 4 but didn't truly find his passion within music until 16 years later when a tumultuous event led to the awakening of a songwriter and a floodgate of songs.

Now, 4 years later, Gillies is firmly entrenched in a life of music. Having spent several years traveling, serving as a volunteer in various positions around the world and sharing his musical journey with those around him, he is now studying at the Berklee College of Music in Boston, Massachusetts, USA. Before studying at Berklee, Robert had shared his music in venues in Japan, Canada, the US and the UK, to much praise from peers and elders alike.

What is it they hear in his music? Perhaps it is a sincerity driven by an earnest search for the positive in life, the desire to connect to those around him and a certain sensitivity behind the well-crafted lyrics and solid musicianship.

It can certainly be said that Robert is well on his way to somewhere special. Comments from artists such as English/Canadian singer-songwriter and Canadian Idol finalist Martin Kerr, and English writer/producer Robert Weinberg convey the collective thoughts of many about Robert's music.

"Like a modern day troubadour, Robert's music is a refreshing blend of storytelling, wry observation on life and an expansive global view of things. His songs reflect his personality – bright, engaging and full of wonder and delight at the world and its inhabitants."
- Robert Weinberg

Instrumentation

Robert Gillies - Guitar, Piano
Grant Rudd - Bass
Ben Marino - Drums, Guitar, Percussion

Discography

The Shape of Life (EP)

The Day the World Heard (EP)

The Milkhouse Sessions (EP)
- Three songs from this EP, The Proposal, Wage A Little Peace and November Highway, won honourable mentions in the SongDoor International Songwriting Contest

She Knows (EP)
- Two songs from this EP, She Knows and November Highway, won honourable mentions in the SongDoor International Songwriting Contest

Official Website

http://www.robertgillies.com

Links

• YouTube
• Twitter
• Facebook

Audio

Video

Photo Gallery

Press

• SongDoor 2009 Winners Announced [+ Show ]
  

  The winners of the SongDoor 2009 International Songwriting Competition have been announced: the Gran...The winners of the SongDoor 2009 International Songwriting Competition have been announced: the Grand Award has gone to Robert Gillies of Stirling, Scotland. Entries were received from 24 countries on five continents.
  
  "Out of a possible 700 total points, the first, second and third place songs were within five points of each other," says SongDoor president Tony Zotta. "This is the closest Grand Award scoring we've ever had. All six of the Category Winners deserve the recognition - we only wish we could give first prize to all of them." The winning songs may be heard online at www.songdoor.com. The competition was generously sponsored by SongU.com, Broadjam, 16 Ton Studios, MasterWriter, Tanager Audioworks and Hard Twist Music/BMI. Not just the winners won - everyone who entered this year's competition will receive a free self-paced online songwriting course from SongU.com, as well as free melody-writing software to help them improve their skills.
  
  "I am totally blown away," said Robert Gillies, this year's Grand Award winner. Gillies, originally from Stirling, Scotland, is currently a student at the prestigious Berklee School of Music in Boston, Massachusetts. Gillies comes from a musical family and plays a multitude of instruments, and is also an accomplished singer and performer. (Boston locals can see Robert perform at an Open Mic NIght at the famous Club Passim in Cambridge, February 9 at 7pm.)
  
  As winner of this year's Grand Award, Gillies wins a single-song publishing contract, a one-year Platinum membership to SongU.com, a full-band demo cut at a high-profile studio on Nashville's Music Row, Masterwriter software, Tanager Audioworks software and a host of other prizes valued at more than $7,700. For more about this year's SongDoor winner, visit www.songdoor.comand www.robertgillies.com.
  
  Here is a list of all of the winners of the SongDoor 2009 International Songwriting Competition:
  
  Grand Award Winner:
  
  Soft Rock Category: Saturday In June
  Robert Gillies (Stirling, Scotland)
  
  Category Winners:
  
  Christian:
  Nick Cardilino/David C. Smith
  "Christ Reigns"
  (Ohio/Indiana, USA)
  
  Country:
  Debra Gussin/Rik Howard
  "Is That You"
  (California, USA)
  
  Instrumental:
  Tom Carleno
  "Chid's Play"
  (Colorado, US)
  
  Pop:
  Beth Walker/Richard Howland
  "What A Kiss Means"
  (New Jersey, USA)
  
  Soft Rock:
  Robert Gillies
  "Saturday in June"
  (Stirling, Scotland)
  
  Rock/Alt:
  Eleanor Kleiner/Elie Brangbour
  "Go Call The Captain"
  (New York, USA)

• Robert Gillies Headlines for Martin Kerr [+ Show ]
  

  Robert resembles the young John Mayer in every way, except that he seems much happier. He's all aglo...Robert resembles the young John Mayer in every way, except that he seems much happier. He's all aglow with joy and talent.

• Original & Exciting Young Talent [+ Show ]
  

  Robert Gillies is an original and exciting young talent. Robert's influences are many. From a Scotti...Robert Gillies is an original and exciting young talent. Robert's influences are many. From a Scottish upbringing in a family of outstanding classical musicians, Robert has travelled widely soaking up influences from many cultures and genres. Like a modern day troubadour, Robert's music is a refreshing blend of storytelling, wry observation on life and an expansive global view of things. His songs reflect his personality – bright, engaging and full of wonder and delight at the world and its inhabitants.

Setlist

My typical set list consists of purely original songs covering light-rock, jazz, hip-hop and a spot of comedy; topics range from love, world peace, and the possibility of vegan zombies.

I typically play between 10 minutes to an hour and my set lists are highly flexible.

Some covers which I frequently play, though often varying from the original styles are:

Lunatic (Andy Grammer)
Just The Way You Are (Bruno Mars)
Daughters (John Mayer)
After An Afternoon (Jason Mraz)
Waiting On An Angel (Ben Harper)
All the Small Things (blink182)

Basic Requirements

Calendar