Cameron Dobb
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada | SELF
Music
Press
For Cameron Dobb, The Ride is more than an album title, It's his life.
The ride took two years to complete, fitted in between other commitments. During those two years, the career in the film/TV industry of producer/guitarist and band mate Daniel Ross took off and took him away from recording. Dobb's father died, he married girlfriend, Megan and became a father himself.
"My personal life really changed while we made the record," he understates. "The choices we made are reflected in the album title. It really was a ride."
The Ride is Dobb's first album, but it isn't his only album. for years he supported brother Allen in his band, Dobb and Dumela. their sound at first reflected their African upbringing but got progressively more North American rootsy, Incorporating folk and country. Cameron has gone in the opposite direction. A keyboard player, Cameron was attracted to modern British rock and it's ensemble sound ( that of Keane, snow Patrol, Coldplay).
His show at the Railway will be "more stripped down than the record," with Ross on guitar, Dave Hall on bass, Jesse Godin on drums and Dobb on Keys, but it will probably still have a variety of approaches with a discernible John Lennon influence. The Ride ranges from light pop to a more imposing density. one half of the album was completed as Dobb's life went through it's overhaul. the other half looks back on that period and is reflective.
"I guess when I was writing, the lyrics came out naturally, but it was fairly consistent," Dobb says. " I'm slightly attracted to the dark side but I tried to put in the lighter side of it. I think there is a combination there. "I was able to get a lot out through my songs," he continues. "the meaning of a song doesnt really reveal itself at the time."
And that means another ride.
- Tom Harrison, The Province
For Cameron Dobb, The Ride is more than an album title, It's his life.
The ride took two years to complete, fitted in between other commitments. During those two years, the career in the film/TV industry of producer/guitarist and band mate Daniel Ross took off and took him away from recording. Dobb's father died, he married girlfriend, Megan and became a father himself.
"My personal life really changed while we made the record," he understates. "The choices we made are reflected in the album title. It really was a ride."
The Ride is Dobb's first album, but it isn't his only album. for years he supported brother Allen in his band, Dobb and Dumela. their sound at first reflected their African upbringing but got progressively more North American rootsy, Incorporating folk and country. Cameron has gone in the opposite direction. A keyboard player, Cameron was attracted to modern British rock and it's ensemble sound ( that of Keane, snow Patrol, Coldplay).
His show at the Railway will be "more stripped down than the record," with Ross on guitar, Dave Hall on bass, Jesse Godin on drums and Dobb on Keys, but it will probably still have a variety of approaches with a discernible John Lennon influence. The Ride ranges from light pop to a more imposing density. one half of the album was completed as Dobb's life went through it's overhaul. the other half looks back on that period and is reflective.
"I guess when I was writing, the lyrics came out naturally, but it was fairly consistent," Dobb says. " I'm slightly attracted to the dark side but I tried to put in the lighter side of it. I think there is a combination there. "I was able to get a lot out through my songs," he continues. "the meaning of a song doesnt really reveal itself at the time."
And that means another ride.
- Tom Harrison, The Province
Cameron Dobb-The Ride.
This Vancouver singer-songwriter is a real talent. Self-described as the love child of Ben Folds and Tom Waits, there's truth-in-advertising there as his raspy voice is put in service of some great piano-based pop. "Hurricane" comes off just like that, with its insistent "Short People"-like piano chords, while slower numbers like "Justine" and "Safe" bring back fond memories of the Randy & The Bloody Lovelies disc I enjoyed so much a couple of years back. Other highlights include "Bee Sting" and the Folds-like "Sally Anne". Definitely a "Ride" worth taking. CD Baby | MySpace - Absolute Powerpop
Cameron Dobb-The Ride.
This Vancouver singer-songwriter is a real talent. Self-described as the love child of Ben Folds and Tom Waits, there's truth-in-advertising there as his raspy voice is put in service of some great piano-based pop. "Hurricane" comes off just like that, with its insistent "Short People"-like piano chords, while slower numbers like "Justine" and "Safe" bring back fond memories of the Randy & The Bloody Lovelies disc I enjoyed so much a couple of years back. Other highlights include "Bee Sting" and the Folds-like "Sally Anne". Definitely a "Ride" worth taking. CD Baby | MySpace - Absolute Powerpop
The Ride" by Cameron Dobb is a collection of inspiring adult alternative pop/rock songs with creative arrangements, lots of layers and strong vocals. The musicianship and production are totally professional, including outstanding vocals. Each song is a new experience, keeping the CD interesting throughout. The lyrics are strong and the choruses are definite sing-alongs. Highlights are "Hurricane," which is certainly a song that defines the sound on the CD. "Bee Sting" has a beautiful guitar progression, builds to power and features a string section. "Safe" is harrowing and features some gorgeous piano work. You will thoroughly enjoy this outstanding album if you enjoy bands like Train or Ben Folds.
-William and the RadioIndy.com Reviewer Team - Radio Indy
The Ride" by Cameron Dobb is a collection of inspiring adult alternative pop/rock songs with creative arrangements, lots of layers and strong vocals. The musicianship and production are totally professional, including outstanding vocals. Each song is a new experience, keeping the CD interesting throughout. The lyrics are strong and the choruses are definite sing-alongs. Highlights are "Hurricane," which is certainly a song that defines the sound on the CD. "Bee Sting" has a beautiful guitar progression, builds to power and features a string section. "Safe" is harrowing and features some gorgeous piano work. You will thoroughly enjoy this outstanding album if you enjoy bands like Train or Ben Folds.
-William and the RadioIndy.com Reviewer Team - Radio Indy
Cameron Dobb - The Ride (High Pocket)
This is the debut album for this Canadian singer songwriter. Two years in the making, the songs have a light jazz feel to them and in some ways the style is similar to early Marc Cohn - the Walking In Memphis period specifically. A keyboard player and classically trained it shows in the arrangements especially "Bee Sting". He is obviously doing something right as the track "Goodbye Bad Luck" has been nominated for the Great American Song Contest. An album of varied material well played and arranged, I will watch his progress with interest.
- Steve O, Leicester Bangs - UK
Cameron Dobb - The Ride (High Pocket)
This is the debut album for this Canadian singer songwriter. Two years in the making, the songs have a light jazz feel to them and in some ways the style is similar to early Marc Cohn - the Walking In Memphis period specifically. A keyboard player and classically trained it shows in the arrangements especially "Bee Sting". He is obviously doing something right as the track "Goodbye Bad Luck" has been nominated for the Great American Song Contest. An album of varied material well played and arranged, I will watch his progress with interest.
- Steve O, Leicester Bangs - UK
Discography
The Ride - Released Jan 2008
(full length album)
Photos
Bio
Dobb's music has been described as the love child of Ben Folds and Tom Waits with influences ranging from ethereal British pop to down home roots. "My dad worked in town but his heart belonged in the country so as kids we were constantly on the gravel roads traveling back and forth" he recalls. " I've always been drawn to the big city and it's urban musical influences but there's still a little bit of that country dust that settles on my music."
There may be a hint of country dust in Dobb's music but it's years of classical piano training and a stint at a jazz school that is most apparent in his piano playing. It was after this training that he moved to Vancouver to join his brother in the band Dobb and Dumela. Over the period of six years the band toured extensively and produced two albums. They gained popularity and played at many of the large Canadian festivals such as Mariposa and the Winnipeg and Edmonton folk festivals. Their rising profile also secured opening spots with artists such as Shaun Colvin, The Philosopher Kings and Ziggy Marley.
After this rich experience Dobb began to focus on his own songwriting. The first demo he recorded was well received. He was invited to perform at music conference showcases in Toronto and Vancouver. Encouraged he started demoing more songs for his debut record. "I had a rented grand piano, some vintage keyboards and a lot of recording gear all stuffed into a tiny studio apartment. It was an intense time but out of it I found a musical home for myself that formed the foundation for this album."
The results of this work shine through on The Ride. With distinctive rough vocals wrapped around dark but hopeful lyrics and a refreshing piano driven sound the album has an eclectic but mainstream appeal. Since its release "the Ride" has charted in the Top 10 at several CMJ reporting stations, and Dobb has been honoured as a finalist in the Great American Song Contest for two consecutive years. His song Goodbye Bad Luck is also soon to be featured in a made for TV movie airing in the spring of 2011 on the Hallmark Channel.
The Ride was produced with longtime friend and musical collaborator Daniel Ross who is known for his music composition and production work on the CTV series Robson Arms. With Daniel's hectic TV production schedule and dealing with the curves that life has thrown them, The Ride has been two years in the making. It's been a long journey to finish this record but it's well worth the wait. It really is "One Hell of a Ride."
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