Rob Drabkin
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Rob Drabkin

Denver, Colorado, United States | Established. Jan 01, 2013 | INDIE

Denver, Colorado, United States | INDIE
Established on Jan, 2013
Band Rock Singer/Songwriter

Calendar

Music

Press


"#3 on Relix Magazine December 2013 Radio Charts"

1. Mickey Hart Band Superorganism
2. The Dream Logic The Dream Logic
3. Rob Drabkin Little Steps
4. Tedeschi Trucks Band Made Up Mind
5. Third Of Never Downrising
6. Electric Soul Pandemic Communications
7. American Babies Knives &Teeth
8. The Broadcast Dodge The Arrow
9. Anders Osborne Peace
10. Gov’t Mule Shout!
11. 10 Ft. Ganja Plant Skycatcher
12. Thiefs Thiefs
13. John Ginty Bad News Travels
14. Les Racquet Whale Hail
15. Yarn Shine The Light
16. Amos Lee Mountains of Sorrow, Rivers of Song
17. Blitzen Trapper VII
18. All The Locals II
19. RB Stone Loosen Up!
20. Trombone Shorty Say That To Say This
21. Jim Allchin Q.E.D.
22. Buddy Guy Rhythm & Blues
23. Okkervil River The Silver Gymnasium
24. Sarah Jarosz Build Me Up From Bones
25. AlyCat Cat Lady
26. Jitterbug Vipers Phoebe’s Dream
27. Le Percolateur Pop Manouche
28. Melissa Ferrick The Truth Is
29. Richie Aldente Disco Baby
30. Marco Benevento TigerFace - Relix Magazine / Jambands.com


"Down To Fate"

"With its fervent force field of folk-meets-rock instrumentation and a potent, passionate vocal, sing-along anthem “Down To Fate” from Rob D Rabkin offers blow-torch intensity that is simply beyond comparison among so many of today’s tepid radio-ready thro" - Chuck Taylor of Billboard Magazine" - Chuck Taylor of Billboard Magazine


"Zero to 60 on the first downbeat"

The first thing you notice about Denver native Rob Drabkin is the hair. His big ol’ ’70s afro is as unavoidable as his ubiquitous grin. But it’s his music that got Drabkin on national tours with the John Butler Trio, Big Head Todd and The Monsters, G. Love & Special Sauce, Carbon Leaf and more, and it was his songs and performances that got him repeat invites to perform in hometown KBCO’s world-renowned Studio C and significant airplay on KBCO and KINK. And when Colorado-based Westword magazine voted him the state’s Best Singer/Songwriter for three years running, or when Rob earned enough votes to play at The Mile High Music Festival with The Fray, Widespread Panic, and Ben Harper, it was because of his songs.

“Little Steps,” the title track of Drabkin’s second studio album, goes from zero to 60 on the first downbeat as a lively horn section heralds a sophisticated, feel-good rock & roll song that would make Rob a natural to join the Dave Matthews Band or Phillip Phillips onstage at the drop of a hat. This is the kind of song that Adult Alternative radio can—and should—own. - Direct Current


"Drabkin channeling the kings of Triple A Radio"

Ever since the Denver native began performing, Rob Drabkin has always had that Triple A Radio sound, that fits fine on KBCO and the like.

But with his latest album Little Steps Drabkin seems to be channeling the kings of Triple A Radio, as his latest effort is chock full of songs that could fit between Dave Matthews Band and Paul Simon plays on the air. Some songs, like “For You I Would Die” and “Little Steps,” are poppy enough to be radio station sing-alongs — BFJ - Marquee Magazine


"The nine tracks on his new record show just how far he's come."

Rob Drabkin has made impressive creative strides in the past few years, and the nine tracks on his new record show just how far he's come. With earnestness and originality, Drabkin thrives within stylistic excursions that range from driving folk rock to understated experiments with classical musicians. - Westword Magazine


"Rob Drabkin: Self Titled CD review"

"Drabkin's self-titled album has just the right 'sweet things' that push emerging artists into the national scene. The native Coloradan has climbed the proverbial singer/songwriter ladder to the
next level. And it's pretty damn impressive... Drabkin houses a honeyed, powerful voice... His melodic finger-picking and good balance of tunes ranging from rhythm guitar to folksy ditties displays his near-perfect guitar skills... He throws his all at this album, and it shows. If Drabkin keeps this up, he will shoot out of the local scene faster than the Fray."
-Colorado Daily (Boulder, CO)
- The Colorado Daily


"Rob Drabkin reaches new high"

“Playing to a sold-out crowd is one thing. But playing to a sold-out crowd on your birthday is something entirely different. Saturday was good to Rob Drabkin, who sold out the Soiled Dove Underground and he moved more than 300 tickets as the headliner…”
- Brian Carney, The Denver Post
- The Denver Post Online


"What sets Drabkin apart..."

"What sets Drabkin apart is his sizable talent as both a singer and guitarist. Lots of people can sing, and lots of people can play guitar, but very few people can blow an audience away with both at the same time. Those that can are now household names - John Mayer, Damien Rice, Dave Matthews. Drabkin is on this level. His crisp voice smoothly blankets his audience with an attentive comfort, and his ability to simultaneously execute complicated guitar riffs is enough to impress the most seasoned musician."
Jesse Walker, Colorado Music Buzz
- The Colorado Music Buzz


"Drabkin did it again"


"Drabkin did it again… The five-song E.P. is a pleasant release to tide fans over for a while... The Denver resident has been exploding in the local scene for the past couple of years. His afro, coupled with his guitar and serene voice, is all the singer/songwriter really needs to make our town go round.”
-Chisty Fantz, The Colorado Daily
- The Colorado Daily


"All in all, Drabkin put together a fantastic evening"

“Rob’s CD has a warm vocal style, loads o’ sincerity, and some really wonderful arrangements…” “He's both a nimble-fingered guitarist and beyond serviceable as a vocalist... All in all, Drabkin put together a fantastic evening.”
- Westword Magazine
- Westword Magazine


"Like Dave Matthews, Damien Rice or Jack Johnson?"

“Like Dave Matthews, Damien Rice, and/or Jack Johnson? Turn up those speakers and check out Rob Drabkin - an unbelievably talented guitarist and songwriter. Don't like those artists mentioned? Check out Rob anyway, he's worth it. Already a success in Denver, Rob has gigged with Tim Reynolds and was recently invited to play for former president Bill Clinton. Amie Street fans took to Rob's music immediately, and within 48 hours of posting his music, Rob's songs were bought almost 100 times, and REC'd 10 times.”
–David Farber, founder of Amie Street- an independent music download site.
- Amie Street


Discography

Little Steps - 2013, full length album
Live At The Bluebird Theater 1.19.12 (2012) - Double CD
Melissa (featuring Davy Knowles) 2010 - single
On These Heavy Feet - 2009 - debut full length studio album
Don't Worry About Me EP- August 2007 - early acoustic EP
Rob Drabkin-self titled EP-2006 - early acoustic EP

Photos

Bio

Blending elements of rock, improvisation and folk, Rob Drabkin's new album "Little Steps," has exceeded all expectations.  Channeling the some of the best artists of Triple A Radio this Denver, CO native has become a powerful mainstay in the live music scene alongside his formidable band. Together, they've succeeded in national appearances supporting Trevor Hall, G- Love & Special Sauce, The Wood Brothers, and Big Head Todd and The Monsters.


Rob has made impressive creative strides in the past few years, and the new nine-track album shows just how far he's come. With earnestness and originality, Drabkin thrives within stylistic excursions that range from driving folk rock to understated experiments with classical musicians. His powerful vocals and syncopated guitar drive the soaring opener, "For You I Would Die" and his strumming complements top-notch keyboard and percussion work. Little Steps, the title track, takes the listener from zero to 60 on the first downbeat as a lively horn section heralds a sophisticated, feel good rock song that would make rob a natural to join Dave Matthews or Paul Simon on stage in the drop of hat.

In 2012 Rob released one of the most unique live albums to come out of Colorado, Live At The Bluebird Theater 1.19.12 On this particular night, the band released a brand new set of original material as well as a cover of the legendary Paul Simon album, Graceland in its entirety. The sold-out show generated so much buzz world-renowned Boulder Theater and clubs around the country immediately solicited Rob to headline. Theaters, festivals and Triple A radio stations around the country have caught onto Rob making him a staple in the national scene. Yes his 70s style fro might be unavoidable as his ubiquitous grin. But its his music that got Drabkin on national tours, landed him the opening slot at sold out Red Rocks Amphitheatre, and charted his first album to #12 on CMJ charts. His presence in Triple A Radio is remarkable. He has received multiple invitations to perform live in KBCO Studio C along with serious airplay on KINK, KCSN and Sirius XM.

Robs life was not always that of a full time touring and recording musician. He attended Trinity University in San Antonio, Texas where he studied Biochemistry, Molecular Biology and Spanish in hopes of achieving an MD/PhD. Music had officially been sidelined until he took a life-changing trip to New York with his family. "My Dad played Jazz for over 30 years before he got into medicine. We re-connected with his old Berklee Music of School friends in New York and it was inspiring to see these musicians playing their hearts out and who have dedicated their whole lives to music. I decided that night to drop science and find my own voice in music and become a singer. I never sang a note till later that night (22 years old). I moved in with my parents and spent every working hour practicing singing and honing all songwriting skills I could.

After writing enough songs for an open mic set, Rob stormed onto Denvers music scene, frequenting jams wherever possible and setting his career into full motion. He assembled quite possibly a dream powerhouse band; featuring Brian McRae on drums, Bijoux Barbosa on bass, Eric Moon on keys and Dave Preston on electric guitar. His full band shows are high-energy blending improvisation and rock while still retaining an earnest singer/songwriter background. Rob Drabkins career is in full motion as his latest release prepares him for his next national tour.

Band Members