Rob Vischer
Jackson, Michigan, United States
Music
Press
On his new CD, The Best Is Yet to Come, singer/songwriter Rob Vischer pulls from a variety of influences to craft a textured, acoustic-guitar fueled album. Though a few of the tracks experiment with more rhythm-based composition (like Jack Johnson and Mat Kearney), Vischer mostly offers listeners a folky, pop-savvy variety of mellow songs. Songs about faith and innocent romance provide soundtracks to sunny afternoons with bright melodies and foot-tapping choruses. Though the stripped down arrangements on tracks such as “Castle in the Sky” and “Grandpa’s Lake” create an introspective coffee-shop feel, the album’s at its best when it gets funky with banjos, brass, and keys on “My Valentine”, “How Much I Love You”, and “Day in the Rain”. - jesse carey
Album Highlights: “My Valentine” and “Beautiful Morning”
- CBN.com
On his new CD, The Best Is Yet to Come, singer/songwriter Rob Vischer pulls from a variety of influences to craft a textured, acoustic-guitar fueled album. Though a few of the tracks experiment with more rhythm-based composition (like Jack Johnson and Mat Kearney), Vischer mostly offers listeners a folky, pop-savvy variety of mellow songs. Songs about faith and innocent romance provide soundtracks to sunny afternoons with bright melodies and foot-tapping choruses. Though the stripped down arrangements on tracks such as “Castle in the Sky” and “Grandpa’s Lake” create an introspective coffee-shop feel, the album’s at its best when it gets funky with banjos, brass, and keys on “My Valentine”, “How Much I Love You”, and “Day in the Rain”. - jesse carey
Album Highlights: “My Valentine” and “Beautiful Morning”
- CBN.com
Hailing from Michigan, this independent, poetric songwriter demonstrates artistic talent and a keen understanding of the human spirit with its joys and struggles in his crossover debut album, The Best Is Yet To Come.
Wavering between innocent, romantic ballads and driving, moody melodies, this deeply personal 15-song collection is a treasure of interesting and thought-provoking tunes from a master wordsmith. Vischer’s nostalgic, folksy sound will make you smile one minute and will leave you in contemplative reflection the next.
Favorite tracks include “Shreds,” an in-your-face rap ballad that speaks to a desire for honesty; the cheery title track “The Best Is Yet To Come;” the bittersweet “Castles In The Sky,” which considers the ramifications of wrong priorities; Vischer’s most openly Christian song, “Red,” which presents a poignant look at God and patriotism; and “My Valentine,” a gently lilting tale of love.
Watch this talented young artist who writes his own lyrics and melodies soar to greater musical heights down the road. He’s got all the makings of a solid recording artist with creatively crafted songs that speak of a wisdom beyond his years.
-- Laura J. Bagby
- sonicpie.com
No one is likely to accuse Rob Vischer of lacking ambition. This spring the 27-year-old is quitting his nice, secure job as an admissions representative at Spring Arbor University to concentrate on a career in music.
He has spent the last year (and a lot of his money) recording a professional-sounding album featuring 15 of his original songs. Not content to release the CD at any old local bar, he has rented the Michigan Theatre in downtown Jackson for a full-blown concert May 1.
"If I was going to do it, I was going to go all in and not cut any corners," Vischer said. "Life offers you a chance between risk and regret, and I want the one that gives you a better story."
After the concert, he plans to bike across the country. Then he'll focus on building a fan base with Jackson at the center. His goal is to become a nationally recognized recording artist.
"I'm pretty confident ... because the CD is already starting to open a lot of doors," he said. "The music is selling itself."
Vischer always wanted to be a basketball player, practicing six to eight hours a day, but a religious experience made him change his mind. At a church conference, he said, God told him to give up sports and become a songwriter.
That eventually led to him studying at the Council for Christian Colleges & University's Contemporary Music Center in Martha's Vineyard, Mass.
Vischer said he entered the program as a rapper "because he didn't know how to play any instruments." Eventually, one of his professors took him aside and told him: "This whole social-justice rapper thing isn't working for you. Why don't you write a love song?"
Vischer's style today is radio-friendly pop-rock similar to Jack Johnson and Coldplay. Vischer may be a deeply religious man, but he said the album is not contemporary Christian music.
"It's music with a lot of passion and truth," he said. "It's not safe music that you can go and pick up for your 12-year-old kid. It talks about sex, pacifism, divorce."
He recorded the album with Sonus Clarus Meda Group, a production and recording studio owned by Tecumseh musician Jake Rye. Vischer hired session drummers and backup singers, while Rye played most of the other instruments.
"It's been a long, long process," Vischer said. "It's kind of like giving birth to a baby, and my baby's overdue."
The essentials
• Who: Rob Vischer
• Style: Pop-rock, alternative rock, singer-songwriter
• Influences: Jack Johnson, U2, Coldplay, Mat Kearney
• Recordings: "Radio Love Songs" (2005) and "The Best Is Yet to Come" (2009)
• Upcoming gig: CD release party, 7:30 p.m. May 1, Michigan Theatre, 124 N. Mechanic St.; tickets are $5
- Jackson Citizen Patriot
No one is likely to accuse Rob Vischer of lacking ambition. This spring the 27-year-old is quitting his nice, secure job as an admissions representative at Spring Arbor University to concentrate on a career in music.
He has spent the last year (and a lot of his money) recording a professional-sounding album featuring 15 of his original songs. Not content to release the CD at any old local bar, he has rented the Michigan Theatre in downtown Jackson for a full-blown concert May 1.
"If I was going to do it, I was going to go all in and not cut any corners," Vischer said. "Life offers you a chance between risk and regret, and I want the one that gives you a better story."
After the concert, he plans to bike across the country. Then he'll focus on building a fan base with Jackson at the center. His goal is to become a nationally recognized recording artist.
"I'm pretty confident ... because the CD is already starting to open a lot of doors," he said. "The music is selling itself."
Vischer always wanted to be a basketball player, practicing six to eight hours a day, but a religious experience made him change his mind. At a church conference, he said, God told him to give up sports and become a songwriter.
That eventually led to him studying at the Council for Christian Colleges & University's Contemporary Music Center in Martha's Vineyard, Mass.
Vischer said he entered the program as a rapper "because he didn't know how to play any instruments." Eventually, one of his professors took him aside and told him: "This whole social-justice rapper thing isn't working for you. Why don't you write a love song?"
Vischer's style today is radio-friendly pop-rock similar to Jack Johnson and Coldplay. Vischer may be a deeply religious man, but he said the album is not contemporary Christian music.
"It's music with a lot of passion and truth," he said. "It's not safe music that you can go and pick up for your 12-year-old kid. It talks about sex, pacifism, divorce."
He recorded the album with Sonus Clarus Meda Group, a production and recording studio owned by Tecumseh musician Jake Rye. Vischer hired session drummers and backup singers, while Rye played most of the other instruments.
"It's been a long, long process," Vischer said. "It's kind of like giving birth to a baby, and my baby's overdue."
The essentials
• Who: Rob Vischer
• Style: Pop-rock, alternative rock, singer-songwriter
• Influences: Jack Johnson, U2, Coldplay, Mat Kearney
• Recordings: "Radio Love Songs" (2005) and "The Best Is Yet to Come" (2009)
• Upcoming gig: CD release party, 7:30 p.m. May 1, Michigan Theatre, 124 N. Mechanic St.; tickets are $5
- Jackson Citizen Patriot
Discography
The Best is Yet to Come is a 15 song album recorded a year ago. "My Valentine" was licensed by CBN.com for use in a contest.
Photos
Bio
Hi, I'm Rob Vischer. I make imaginary films. If my songs create movies or music videos in your head, I'm a success. Like any good filmmaker, slightly hidden threads run through everything I touch. My concerts and songs will hint at what those threads are, but I won't.
The highways and back roads of America inspire my songwriting, and hundreds of past venues inform my performance. "On my bike trip across America" is a phrase that introduces way too many of my stories, but those stories are the ones I can't stop telling. Recently, I quit my "day job" in an office for my "dream life" on the road. Since then I have toured from sea to shining sea on a bicycle, written songs for three months on an island off the east coast, and made my living by playing shows as well as licensing songs.
Now, I'm taking my music and band on tour. Great personalities and good quotes give me a firm foundation for the way I live, write, and perform. As you experience my music, I hope the daydream movies you imagine become the motion pictures you live in.
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