Greg Hobbs

*** "Greg Hobbs is the best damn songwriter in Toronto today, and I'll stand on Ronnie Sexsmith's coffee table in my cowboy boots and say that." Michael Laderoute, 2007 ***



Of course, I'm much to humble to agree with such an extravagant claim. I also don't want anyone to ruin Ron Sexsmith's coffee table.



****



I'm a Toronto-based performing songwriter with a sometimes-sardonic outlook, and poetic yet down to earth lyrics that bring a fresh perspective to the folk-rock, roots-country genres. At least, that's what my official press-bio says.



I have released 5 CDs of original music: 1994's "Under Your Feet" is a solo-acoustic recording that until recently was only owned by close friends and family. In January of '06 it had a bit of a surgence after receiving a rather glowing (and perhaps hyperbolic) review by the editors of CD Baby. My favourite track on this CD is "I'm the one Under Your Feet" in which a raging mess of electric guitar feedback takes over for 30 seconds or so. This track continues to alienate listeners who don't understand the sonic symbolism of the effects on poverty on Western society as a whole.



In 1999, "Confused and Bleeding" came out. Produced by John Switzer, this rather slick FACTOR-funded production was the most labour-intesive of all my projects. Tracks that still stand the test of time (ie. ones that I don't mind hearing once in a while) are "I'm Fine", "Noose", and "Lucky Brittle Bones". However, I still receive requests for the title track, and "The Conversation" was used by the YTV program 15/Love.



In 2001, I released what many consider to be my best disc so far. Produced by Chris Cobain "Drake Motel" (named after Nashville's dodgy inn - not the tragically trendy Queen St. West club in Toronto), is a collection of folk-rock, country-tinged tunes about break-ups and bar life. "Drake Motel", "Country Music", "Still" and "Satisfied Look" continue to please fans that head to gigs. However, my favourite DM track is "The Stone". This cinematic pastiche (that of course pre-dates Paul Haggis' "Crash" by 4 years) shows we can all effect each other without always knowing it, and that none of us are as innocent as we may think. Few have caught on to this song, except for a young fan in Denmark who sang it for a high-school music exam. Her teacher loved it.



"Threats and Promise's" was released in 2004. Produced by Chris Cobain, T&P received some excellent national and international reviews, and some radio airplay (CBC and Campus). That's about it though. Not sure why it hasn't caught on in a big way. it'll get there. Oddly, I still really like every song on this disc. (That rarely happens.)



There's a new disc out now. It's called "Thunder & Dust". My co-stars are Darcy Yates (bass) and Christine Bougie (lots of instruments). The project is produced by John Switzer and recorded at the Rogue by James Paul. It's totally awesome (if I do say so myself). Get it at http://www.cdbaby.com or http://www.maplemusic.com .