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Boby Long at Sofar Long Island Whisper Vinyeards

Posted September 4, 2018

Photo by Brady Keefe | @brady0keefe

Bobby Long was born in Wigan near Manchester, grew up in Wiltshire, and, at eighteen, moved to London. Years later, in 2008, one of the songs he wrote on made its way onto the “Twilight” soundtrack. A year later, Bobby moved to the United States and his career has taken off ever since. Bobby Long recorded with ATO records, toured with bands such as Iron and Wine, and performed at festivals, such as Bonnaroo and Austin City Limits. He moved over to Compass Records for his last album “Ode To Thinking,” which was made possible by a hugely successful PledgeMusic Campaign, receiving support from over 750 pledgers. In between albums, Bobby also wrote two poetry books. Now, when he is not too busy singing “Moana” songs to his son, Bobby finds himself recording a new record and still playing gigs. Bobby Long lived in London when Sofar Sounds started there, but played his first show on Long Island, where he said “everyone here is as normal as me,” which he loved. Songs to check out are “Serpentine,” “Nautical,” and “Maserati,” which will be released on his new record.

Bobby Long at Sofar Long Island

August 29, 2018

Sofar Long Island

This past Saturday, Bobby had the pleasure of performing to a very receptive audience at Sofar Sounds Long Island. Sofar brings music fans and artists in an intimate setting for a true music experience. Thank you to Craig at Sofar for sharing this photo of the artists who played that evening.Left to Right Marielle Kraft, Syke from 106.1 WBLI Radio who emceed the event, Zak Reyes, Bobby and Craig Cosgrove of Long Island Sofar Sounds @thatguycraig_ on Instagram.

Photo By Brady O'Keefe

Bobby Long Sets Live Show While Reading New Album

BroadwayWorld.Com

Posted August 21, 2017

British singer-songwriter Bobby Long has scheduled a series of shows that will take him through to the end of the year as he plans for the release of what will be his fourth album. He is nearing completion on the recording of the album in New York, with the process interrupted by periodic U.S. shows and a lengthy tour of Europe. The 19-city "Renegade" European tour in early summer took him to cities all over Germany plus Austria, the Netherlands and the Czech Republic along with his friend and fellow musician Sam Bradley as support.

Long's new album is being funded by his second successful PledgeMusic campaign. Collaborating with New York-based musician Jack Dawson, with whom he worked on his 2011 EP, THE BACKING SINGER, the new album promises to comprise a diverse collection of styles and songs. "I think it is a lot more psychedelic than my previous records and influenced by The Beach Boys, The Beatles and ELO," he explains. "We've been working on it bit by bit because of people's schedules, but that allows us to breathe in between sessions and come back to it fresh each time. The producer, sound engineer and I have let it naturally take shape." Attendees at his recent shows in the U.S. and Europe have been receiving a taste of some of the new songs.

Long, whose catalogue includes three full CDs and an EP, has recently published his second collection of poetry called Losing My Misery, which follows Losing My Brotherhood, published in 2012. Known for his hauntingly poetic lyrics, writing poetry is a natural sidebar to his songwriting. Losing My Misery, infused with candor, raw emotion and his signature wry humor, is at once brash, funny and heartbreaking, exposing the writer's foibles as well as his poignant insights into the human condition.

When it comes to writing, he makes it clear that he needs to work at songwriting and poetry as separate crafts. "Writing poetry is a creative outlet for me and offers some creative time away from songwriting that really improves my songwriting," he explains. "In general, I'm pretty organized and disciplined so that I can be free and unorganized when I write."

Please read the entire article here...

Aimless Skylarking with Bobby Long

Aimless Skylarking
By Casey Johnson
Posted July 4, 2016

Before I slip away to celebrate Independence Day with my family, I want to share my photos of Bobby Long's performance at Eddie's Attic in Decatur, Georgia (Atlanta). Unfortunately, I didn't get any photos of opener Trae Vedder (of Death on Two Wheels) but I managed to snap several of Bobby and his jaunty chapeau. Find Bobby's 'Ode to Thinking' and my photos from the performance below.

Photos from Eddie's Attic here...

Photos from Nashville's Cause A Scene here...

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Bobby Long serenades Mercury Lounge

Pancakes and Whiskey
By Tom Shackleford
Posted Jan 12, 2016

Photo by Lesley Keller

Amongst a packed room full of mostly fawning women, a solo guitarist by the name of Bobby Long took the stage for the early Saturday night show at Mercury Lounge. Most concerts I usually attend are loud enough that you typically don’t hear all the women in the audience conversing back and forth on how much they love the artist. Although maybe at this point I’ve just stopped noticing all together. One couldn’t help but hear it however during Bobby’s solo acoustic set on Saturday night, where the English guitarist filled the room and sensual desires of most in the room.

Local singer-songwriter Matt Sucich loosened up the crowd first. Matt’s own charismatic style of acoustic guitar playing was good enough to headline an early Saturday night on his own, and his time will come, but this was Bobby’s night- just ask any of the women in the room.

The headliner took the stage sporting jeans, boots, a t-shirt, and some carefree hairstyle, typical guitarist right? Blending a mix of folk, Americana, and traditional singer-songwriter, Long takes a mix of easy-going chord progressions, more complex finger picking styles, and throws it together with lyrics of love, disappointment, and great storytelling to make for even better songs.

What’s isn’t so typical is his talented way of presenting his solo acoustic material to shine and dance on it’s own with no accompaniment- not an easy task for any performer for an entire set. Long had no trouble doing so while playing a mix of songs from his new album, Ode To Thinking. Early on in the set he treated his guests to the newer material including “Cold Hearted Lover Of Mine,” “Ode To Thinking,” “Treat Me Like A Stranger,” and waltz-like ballad in “The Songs The Kids Sings.”

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Bobby Long at Rios in Mettmann

Schaufenster Mettmann
Tanje Bamme
Posted October 9, 2015

Mettmann. Die Eventkneipe Rios an der Johannes- Flintrop Straße war am Mittwoch Schauplatz eines musikalischen Höhepunktes. Der englische Sänger und Songwriter Bobby Long spielte im Zuge seiner Europatour ein Konzert in gemütlicher Wohnzimmeratmosphäre. Rund 60 Gäste füllten den kleinen Showraum der Kneipe und die Begeisterung stieg sichtlich mit jedem Song. Für die meisten Musikfreunde dürfte der Name Bobby Long noch unbekannt sein, nicht so unter den echten Kennern des englischen Folks und der Newcomer-Szene. Bobby Long schrieb unter anderen am Soundtrack für die bekannte Twilight-Saga mit und ist seitdem ein echter Geheimtipp.

Der Stuttgarter Fabian Bruck heizte den Zuschauern im Vorfeld ordentlich ein und wer jetzt denkt, es handelt sich bei den Songs beider Musiker um laute und monotone Partymusik, irrt sich. Sowohl Bobby Long al auch Fabian Bruck sind Vertreter der melancholischen und akustischen Gitarrenmusik. Auch die Musiker waren von der Mettmanner Gastfreundschaft hellauf begeistert. "I love touring in Germany", schwärmte Bobby Long nach seinem 90-minütigen Auftritt. "The people make you feel at home (Ich liebe es in Deutschland zu touren. Die Leute geben einem das Gefühl, zuhause zu sein!)." Und wirklich, die familiäre Atmosphäre im Rios war großartig. Da tat auch die eher suboptimale Musikanlage der guten Stimmung keinen Abbruch; so stellte sich Bobby Long kurzerhand einfach mitten in den Zuschauerpulk und spielte unplugged.

English Translation through Google Translate

Mettmann. The Event pub Rios at the Johannes Flintrop road was on Wednesday the scene of a musical climax. The English singer and songwriter Bobby Long played as part of its European tour concert in a cozy lounge atmosphere. Around 60 guests filled the small space Show the pub and the excitement grew visibly with every song. For most music lovers, the name Bobby Long is likely to be unknown, not so among the true connoisseurs of the English Folks and the newcomer scene. Bobby Long wrote among others on the soundtrack for the popular Twilight saga with and has since become a real insider tip.

The Stuttgart Fabian Bruck stoked the spectators before a tidy and if you're thinking, it concerns with the songs of both musicians to loud and monotone party music, mistaken. Both Bobby Long and Fabian Bruck are representative of the melancholic and acoustic guitar music. The musicians were thrilled by the hospitality Mettmanner. "I love touring in Germany", Bobby Long gushed after his 90-minute performance. "The people make you feel at home (I love touring in Germany. The people make you feel to be at home!)." And really, the family atmosphere in Rios was great. As the rather suboptimal music system of good mood did not diminish; then Bobby Long turned unceremoniously easy amid the Zuschauerpulk and played unplugged.

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Bobby Long Sparks Jubilation at Rios

RPONLINE
By Von Lars Mader
Posted October 9, 2015

Der melancholische Entertainer spielte in der Mettmanner Musikkneipe. Ebenfalls überzeugend: Fabian Bruck.

Wer ist Bobby Long? Er ist der Schöpfer der Filmmusik zum Vampir-Epos "Twilight". Mit seinem wehreichen Lied "Let me Sign" half Long, das darin reichlich fließende Blut abwechselnd gefrieren und wieder aufkochen zu lassen. An die oberste Stelle der "iTunes Unsigned Charts", dem Brutkasten neuentdeckter Talente, brachte ihn dieser Beitrag. Auf seiner Oktobertour durch Europa stellt er derzeit sein neues Album "Ode to Thinking" vor. Dass ein international bekannter Name mitten unter der Woche rund sechzig Folkfans aus Wuppertal und Köln ins Rio's nach Mettmann zieht, kommt selten vor. Gastgeber und Musikwirt Oliver Ritzkat erklärt, wie es sich begab: "Ich bin großer Fan von Gregor Meyle und habe versucht, ihn herzuholen. Doch der spielt nur in großen Hallen. Mayles Management hat mir dann Bobby Long empfohlen."

Der Wahl-New Yorker macht seine großen Auftritte gewöhnlich am Wochenende und füllt die Zwischenzeiten gerne mit Terminen in kleiner, feiner Runde. Mitgebracht hatte er den charmanten Fabian Bruck. Auch er veröffentlichte unlängst ein Album; seinen Erstling namens "Auf den Spuren meiner Träume". Wie der Titel andeutet, kam der 23-jährige Weinstädter als Sanftsänger daher. Ob es die Dialektfarbe oder die selbstlose Hingabe seiner Stimmbänder ist - Brucks heiserer Gesang erinnert ein ums andere Mal an Pur-Sänger Hartmut Engler. Genau wie Long zeigte er auf der Gitarre ehrlichste Handwerkskunst der guten alten Singer-Songwriter-Schule. Wo Bruck durchweg den guten Cop spielte, leuchtete Longs Stern konsequent ins Dunkel der Nacht hinein. Mit seiner galligen Abrechnungsballade "Kill Someone" droht er dem Feinde Gewalt an. Über seine Jugendliebe spottet er nassforsch. Gerade ist Long dreißig Jahre alt geworden. Das scheint an dem gebürtigen Nordengländer noch zu nagen. Obgleich die Briten, angeführt von Ed Sheeran, derzeit Weltmacht unter den Liedermachern sind, orientiert sich Long lieber an abgründigen Cowboys wie Johnny Cash. Den Zuhörern machte er ein Angebot: "Dort drüben liegt mein neues Album. Ihr könnt es stehlen, kaufen oder wir zocken darum." Zum Finale stimmte er mutig die Britpop-Hymne "Don't Look Back in Anger" an.

Long, der melancholische Entertainer, gewann damit jedoch Jubelstürme. Anderthalb Stunden lang ließ er sein Herz aus offener Wunde bluten.

Danach ist sein Hemd durchgeschwitzt, das Publikum glücklich und die Luft im Rio's, wo der Puls im Rhythmus der Musik schlägt, um zehn Grad wärmer.

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English Translation

The melancholy Entertainer played within the Mettmanner Musikkneipe. Also convincing: Fabian Bruck.

Who is Bobby Long? He is the creator of the soundtrack to the vampire epic "Twilight". With his military oaks song "Let me Sign" helped Long, which is plenty of blood flowing alternately freeze and let boil again. To the top of the "iTunes Unsigned charts", the incubator of newly discovered talent, it brought this contribution. In its October tour of Europe he currently presents his new album "Ode to Thinking". That an internationally known name attracts approximately sixty folk fans from Wuppertal and Cologne from Rio's Mettmann midst of the week, rarely occurs. Explains hosts and music host Oliver Ritzkat how it came to pass: "I am a big fan of Gregor Meyle and tried herzuholen him playing only in large halls Mayles Management then advised me Bobby Long.. The New Yorker by choice makes his great performances on weekends and usually fills the split times like with appointments in small, fine round. He had brought the charming Fabian Bruck. He also recently published an album; his debut called "In the footsteps of my dreams".

As the title suggests, the 23-year-old wine townspeople came therefore as a gentle singer. Whether it's the dialect color or the selfless dedication of his vocal cords - Brucks hoarse vocals reminded again and again at Pur singer Hartmut Engler. Exactly how long he was on the guitar honest craftsmanship of the good old singer-songwriter school. Where Bruck played consistently good cop, Longs star shone consistently into the darkness of the night. With its bilious billing ballad "Kill Someone" he threatens the enemy to violence. About his childhood sweetheart he mocks brash. Straight Long has become thirty years old. That seems to eat away at the northern native Englishman yet. Although the British, led by Ed Sheeran, currently are world power among the songwriters to Long oriented rather abysmal at Cowboys like Johnny Cash. He made the audience an offer: "Over there is my new album you can steal it, buy or we gamble it.." For the finale he agreed brave the Britpop anthem "Do not Look Back in Anger" at.

Long, the melancholy entertainer, but thus won cheering. One and a half hours, he made his heart bleed from open wound.

Then, his shirt is soaked with sweat, the audience happy and the air in Rio's where the pulse beats to the rhythm of music, warmer by ten degrees.

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Bobby Long is a Masterful Storyteller

Suze Reviews the Blues
By Suze
Posted October 5, 2015

At the end of a 24-city US tour and mere days before embarking on a European tour, Bobby Long graced the stage at The Extended Play Sessions for an evening of songs that tell stories.

Touring on the heels of the release of his latest album, Ode to Thinking, Bobby has a voice that deserves to be heard. Most of the songs he played for us are a bit on the dark side, as he admitted during the interview, yet he does not appear to be a brooding person. Instead, I think his songs tell the stories of past relationships as in ‘Treat Me Like A Stranger’: “At least you told the truth/somewhere so low beneath/Hanging from the noose, the parts of me/Swinging underneath, somewhere so high above/Tied to the tree, the parts of me”.

Read full article here...

Bobby Long in Vanderveen

KJGUCH Photography
By Klaas Guchelaar
Posted October 4, 2015

Last Friday I received a text requesting me to come to the instore gig in Vanderveen. Bobby Long was going to play a few songs promoting his new album and the upcoming gigs. As it was a nice stop in between my way to the train station for an event later that afternoon I stopped by the store. Only to hear that gig would start a little later as Bobby got held up on his way to the store (he was coming in from Frankfurt I believe and that is quite a bit of a drive). No matter, only 15 to 20 minutes after the announced time Bobby did get up on the little stage in the store.

Bobby Long is a singer-songwriter, in the americana-folky style with a bit of a rough edge on his voice. I feld a very young Bruce Springsteen. There’s potential to a bit of rock in the songs. Bobby was playing solo now, however with band I think it will all burst out. There’s also a few good ballads there and as the store played the album after his concert I could hear my thought on the band being answered.

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See full set of Klaas Guchelaar's photos here...

Show Recap: Bobby Long at Rough Trade NYC

Pancakes and Whiskey
Posted August, 20
By Lesley Keller

You could feel the anticipation in the air Saturday night at Rough Trade NY, where Bobby Long was set to headline. As I made my way into the venue, I was greeted by tons of familiar faces of Bobby fans, who I grew to know quite well as Bobby built his US reputation on the Lower East Side of New York City almost seven years ago.

(...) Bobby definitely kept the crowd in good spirits once he took the stage at about 11pm. With his hair still covering his eyes as it was all those years ago, but with a ton more confidence, Long launched into his first song without any hesitation, his gravelly voice enhancing the emotion and lyrics of his songs. I’ve seen Bobby play with a band many times before, but here he was solo, letting his skilled fingerpicking take center stage.

If there’s one thing you absolutely need to know about Bobby Long, it’s that he’s an expert storyteller. His songwriting is something that is quite rare to find these days, and what ultimately kept me following his career for so many years. You can also say he’s an expert storyteller in the form of crowd banter as well. Bobby consistently tells the funniest stories on stage that I’ve heard get genuine, doubled-over laughter from the crowd. Be it a story about how he wants to kill his sister’s ex husband which led into a song fittingly called “Kill Someone”, or if it’s about nothing in particular, Bobby has a quick wit that his absolutely unmatched. It truly helps makes his shows a MUST SEE.

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