Rob Geer

Independent artist Rob Geer announced the digital release of his full-length debut album, Find Your Way Home.


The 10-song track list is a compilation of songs Geer has written over several years; some had previously been recorded with Jeff Toy (A Little Bit of Orange EP) and Cellar Door Records ("It Might Be"). The gradual acquisition of new recording equipment empowered him to fine-tune the material into a completed project over the past three months.


Geer said the final product might have been released earlier, but a technological mishap delayed completion. A hard drive crash wiped out his post-production mixing work in November, causing him to revert back to older tracks, which had been saved. Despite the set back, Geer was able to present the final compilation this week, before the year's end.


"It feels great! I'm extremely happy to be done and to move on to some other things I've been working on," Geer said. "I took a little break from mixing everything, for things to feel fresh again, then finally finished a couple days ago."


Re-mixing revives early material
Two of the songs featured on the album had previously been released on A Little Bit of Orange EP in January 2010. The original recordings of "A Little Bit of Orange" and "Dead End" had more dark, progressive rock characteristics and lacked the higher-quality mixing of the new tracks.

The latest recording of “A Little Bit of Orange” opens with the song’s catchy blues riff, but Geer stripped it down. He swapped psychedelic guitar trills with clean chord progressions and harmonious picking, and replaced weighty drums with the light percussive flavor of a shaker.

"Dead End," as previously recorded, jumps right in with full guitar, drums and vocals. Geer takes his time in the new recording, building the essence with a lone guitar, followed by vocals and discreet bass tones.


That patience and permeable space in the music speaks to the merit of the finished product. Geer has performed and released variations of most of the songs featured on Find Your Way Home at live shows and through digital demos. Now, in absolute form, these songs are evidence of Geer’s artistic growth and maturity.


“They just weren’t how I wanted them to be heard, so I decided to add some extra things in here and there,” Geer said. "The A Little Bit Of Orange EP was recorded in Jeff Toy's attic and basement with all of his equipment. The only musicians on that are me and him, but I wanted to release acoustic versions of those songs because I feel like they fit as a whole with Find Your Way Home."


Toy is credited on Geer's new album for his mixing and harmony work on “You Could Be All Mine.” The ethereal romantic ballad adds a touch of tenderness to an otherwise verbally grave collection.


Enlivened lyrics are illustrative, palpable
Geer is poetic. His lyrics are vivid, almost tangible. The inclination to write about sordid human endeavors in songs like "Human Nature" and "Assassin" is distinctive of his creative aesthetic.

"Human Nature," which features Dan Thompson's bass stylings, is a three-minute and 48-second dissertation on the faults of mankind. Geer compares men’s cold acts to the violent instincts of beasts, howling, "Packs of wolves kill their prey with one bite to the neck, and no one says a God damn thing. Their just wild animals – but what do you call us humans when we shoot people just for fun."

“Assassin” is a chilling account of a feigned lovers. Full and pure, Geer demonstrates his vocal power. The physical strain is audible as he cries out, “Call me the assassin. Call me what you will,” after taunting, “The way you tore apart your life, thinking every second chance wasn’t broken ‘til you found out everybody’s gone – and I just lied to you again.”

The lyrical content of Find Your Way Home is complemented by alluring, well-crafted melodies ("Under Devil's Skin") and capacious harmonies ("Keepin' My..."). Geer delved into the depths to produce these auditory gems – and they are sparkling. - Priscilla Tasker

Rob Geer made his final Grog Shop appearance as The Conductor and The Creator Sunday, September 18, before he traverses the nation to settle in Denver, Co., in October. Ever-loyal friends and fans appropriately gathered for a send-off show, which featured Humble Home, who organized the event, and The Lighthouse and The Whaler.
The indie-folk-inspired rock lineup showcased distinctive talents while keeping with a style of music compatible to the tone Geer set for the evening.
"I loved every second of it. It was a good set of bands. There's always an oddball in the line up but not tonight," Geer told Humble Home's Nick Wise in post-show conversation.
Geer led the night with a six-song set. Waiting in line to enter the venue, I heard the bass and guitars signal the start of the band’s first song – a sound which incited an anxious desire to cut the 10 to 15 people in front of me. I waited patiently. Yet, as if he read my mind, the man ahead of me offered reprieve by holding the door and saying, “You can go ahead.”
Grateful chivalry lives on, I made my way to the stage. Geer’s vocals enveloped the space. Seemingly effortless projection is a talent Geer has honed well – and one of the artistic traits that caught my attention the first time I’d heard him play at Nemeth’s Lounge in Painesville, Ohio, earlier this year.
Geer was backed by his “Conductor” counterparts, whose soulful flavor enlivens the singer-songwriter's sound. [Watch this video from February 5, 2011 for an extraordinary example of the band's abilities.] Lead guitarist Matthew Augusta and bassist Dan Thompson played a bluesy, soft jazz teaser leading into "It Might Be" and an R&B interlude before "Under Devil's Skin."

As the band tuned up for its fifth song, Geer took a moment to thank everybody at the venue for coming out to the show, saying, "It's my last show in Cleveland for a while." The statement, of course, was met with the usual banter from Geer’s regular audience members – although, it was slightly subdued. After the show, a friend told Geer he’d held back a “Thank God we don’t have to hear that shit anymore,” to which Geer and pals snickered.
"There wasn't too much heckling," Geer laughed. "But it's always fun making fun of Jamie [Epperson, roommate] for looking like Christopher Robbin."

Timothy Depasquale held it down on drums throughout the set but, for Geer's final song of the night, Humble Home's Anthony Foti stepped in for a guest spot. Geer closed with his cover of Bon Iver's "Skinny Love," showing off his impressive command of the falsetto and modal vocal ranges. As the band wrapped and began to tear down its set, Foti addressed the crowd.
"Why don't we give Rob another hand,” Foti said, continuing, “He's a good friend of ours. We're sad to see him go, but we look forward to his return.”
I asked several people at the Grog Shop what their thoughts were on Rob’s departure from Ohio and the venue, which has become his home base for some time. The question evoked several witticisms from friends, whose wisecracks from the crowd are common features of Geer’s sets. Grog Shop sound man James Kananen uttered, with well-intended sarcasm, "It's heart-wrenching."
However, a few individuals gave Geer his due and wished him the well in his endeavors. Augusta said he thought Rob’s performance was “the best he’s ever played.” Kathleen Grace Kazsmer said she’s happy to see him pursue a life outside of Ohio and hopes he’s able to make use of his musical talents.
"I'm very happy. This show was a great group of people – and the fans. I think this was a good way to go out," Geer said, adding that he’s moving to Denver for a fresh scene and to focus on his art.
"I'm going to have a lot of time – time to do what I want to do. I'm not inspired out here," he confessed.

Editor's commentary
My first Rhythm Report article on Geer was published on March 1, 2011, after his Grog Shop show on February 26. Since then, he's earned my respect as an artist. However, I'm not convinced he's given himself the full credit he deserves. So Rob, here's my message to you as you move on to pursue whatever dream you're chasing out West: Don't hold back! There is nothing stopping you from achieving what you desire. Have fun but take it seriously. Cleveland's losing a great musician and a staple of its local scene. Don't let it be for naught. Show Denver what its gaining. Best of luck! - Priscilla Tasker