Rod Lunn

Rod Lunn travels beyond his sophisticated pop-rock tunes with his latest release highlighting vulnerable Dylan era songwriting with contemporary emo-dramatic melodies. After a successful modeling and regional performing artist career in New York and across the Midwest, Music City’s prodigal pop-rock son found inspiration for his seductive contemporary sound rooted in the musical offerings of his hometown area.

“I ventured into the modeling world for a while and landed some very successful campaigns,” says Rod. “But through it all I kept returning to music whether I was in a band or performing solo. It’s simply a passion I can’t shake.” This humble artist’s work with the Ford Modeling Agency included print ads and instore marketing campaigns for Abercrombie and Fitch and Ralph Lauren with placements in GQ, Cosmo, Vanity Fair, etc. Consequently, one has probably already invited Rod into your home, but with his latest release he hopes to land on your iPod or in your CD player.

Rod, who was reared by a business entrepreneurial father and a musical mother that could sing and play violin, harp and piano, proves to be an artist that is no stranger to the stage. His previous tours have placed him performing alongside Mat Kearney, Matt Wertz, Dave Barnes, Howie Day and Ryan Cabrera. Growing up the second youngest of six, Rod had an early exposure to music and his first Fender by age 11. However, unlike his siblings, Rod never received any musical training whatsoever. “My mom and sisters played piano so it was easy for me to catch on. As a result, my debut album is tailored to piano. However, when I broke my hand, I had to transfer all my songs from piano to guitar by ear. As a result, I found an organic affinity for the guitar. I guess you can call me an accidental guitarist. I am now able to balance guitar and piano in my music.” In addition, his natural music abilities have transferred onto the drums, bass guitar and harmonica.

A quick preview of his album will reveal a variety of influences that are featured throughout the project including the music of Bob Dylan, Counting Crows, Bush, Damien Rice, Nirvana, James Blunt and David Gray. “Bob Dylan has had the greatest impact on my sound. There was a long period of time when he was all I listened to. It was a great roll of fate that I was able to purchase his 1967 Gibson Southern Jumbo at a charity auction. Many would put a guitar like this on the shelves, but a great guitar deserves a continued spot on the stage.”

To date, Rod’s independent projects have sold more than 32,000 copies online and at Borders and CD Warehouses across the nation. His previous single “You and I” even grabbed air time on VH-1 and MTV. Before embarking on a solo career, he spent years as a lead vocalist for the Midwest based group West Bound. Their grunge rock sound struck a chord with the twenty something audience and supported an extensive college tour. However, when a founding member tragically died in a car accident, the group disbanded. “He was such a pivotal part of the group, it just never felt the same without him.” Throughout the tragedies and triumphs, Rod’s remarkable talent of honest songwriting and his open expression of personal experiences through his music continue to make his albums overpowering and a memorable mark on the pop-rock music scene.