Robert Wynia
Portland, OR | Established. Jan 01, 2013 | INDIE
Music
Press
It is a testament to an artist’s abilities when he or she can continue to change, evolve, and subvert the formula that made them successful without alienating their fan-base. Rob Wynia, lead vocalist and primary songwriter of Floater, continues to do just that both with his band, and now with his solo debut Iron By Water.
Fresh off touring behind last year’s Floater release Wake, Wynia has wasted no time getting right back out there on the road and as usual he’s making Eugene, his former home, a tour stop. This time he’s promoting a collection of quiet intimate songs more along the lines of Floater’s acoustic experimentation than their arena-rocking tendencies. And appropriately he’s chosen Sam Bond’s Garage over Eugene’s bigger and less intimate venues.
While words like “radio-friendly” were used to describe Wake, words like “darkly beautiful,” “soulful,” “simple” and “stark” are being used to describe Wynia’s first solo outing. On Iron By Water, his trademark emotive vocals are backed by lap steel guitar, violin, and cello in arrangements ranging from bluesy to operatic.
In the past when Floater unplugged their distortion pedals, Wynia has shown that he’s an adept singer-songwriter who rides the line between folk rock and the ballad vibes of Metallica. Floater fans might be biting their nails to find out if this solo outing means the end of their beloved band, but anyone who’s followed Wynia’s career knows to expect the unexpected.
Rob Wynia plays a free preview all ages performance at 6pm on Friday March 25, at CD World, and 9:30 pm that night at Sam Bond’s Garage with Rainbow Show featuring Pete Corrett, also of Floater. — William Kennedy - Eugene Weekly
Discography
As "Robert Wynia" -
Iron By Water (2011)
As "Floater" -
Wake (2010)
Stone By Stone (2008)
Acoustics (2005)
Alter (2003)
Angels In The Flesh And Devils In The Bone (2000)
Glyph (1997)
Sink (1995)
Photos
Bio
Having taken his band "Floater," a rock trio from Portland, OR. all over the US on tour and created a following of dedicated fans, Robert Wynia and the band Floater have been called "Icons of Northwest rock music" by numerous magazines and DJs. Among Wynia's awards are numerous "Best male performer," "Performance of the year," and "Reader's choice" as well as 2 preliminary Grammy nominations and induction into the Oregon Music Hall of Fame.
Songs from Wynia's debut solo release, "Iron By Water" have been put into rotation on many college, indie and even commercial (CBS, Entercom) radio stations, on several of them launching to the #1 spot in listener requests. In Music We Trust calls the album "Highly recommended" and Cravedog called it, "Fantastic! One of our favorites."
His recent release, "Brave the Strange" has been hailed by critics as "sublime, sweet perfection," and, "a classic." Several songs from "Brave the Strange" have landed heavy rotation spots on college, commercial, and internet radio worldwide.
Currently playing shows on tour that range from solo acoustic sets, to duos with a drummer, to full 7 piece band performances, Robert Wynia is gaining a ever growing audience with his powerful, magnetic songs and voice.
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