Rob Derhak surprised fans on Tuesday with the release of a solo album, Songs For Other People. The debut solo release for the moe. bassist/vocalist consists of eight songs written and recorded during the pandemic, commissioned by fans who provided the initial ideas.
Songs For Other People hears Rob providing all vocals, guitar, bass, drum programming, and keyboards on every track with the exception of “Beautiful Mess” which features his daughter Emma Derhak on backing vocals. As Rob readily admits in an accompanying statement, “it is a departure from the music I write for moe. and is not a collection of jams or serious instrumental pieces.” Instead, it plays like an exercise regiment for a well-trained mind trying to stay in shape during an unprecedented off-season.
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The song structures are simple, starting with the opening “Robert – Bagel Line” which sounds like a traditional rock song. Things get more complex as Rob further experiments in the studio on tracks like the following “Ups and Downs”, featuring acoustic elements and layered vocals. Through modest runtimes and straightforward compositions, Derhak offers glimpses into the foundation of his songwriting process.
Rob said of Songs For Other People,
This album is a collection of songs that I wrote and recorded during moe.’s time off the road during the pandemic. It was an experiment in song writing for me. They were commissioned pieces, in which fans provided the initial catalyst, and subject matter. I put some of the proceeds in my pocket, and the rest into a fund that was set up for our road crew. I learned a ton doing this, and found out that I enjoyed writing in a “Tin Pan Alley” style. I also found that writing and recording everything by myself is an insane amount of work, and in the the end, because I’m a perfectionist, I found that I probably made about 5 or 6 bucks an hour. I found that the feeling I got from writing and recording in my little studio space was beyond satisfaction. I seriously hope you appreciate the album, as much as I do. It is a departure from the music I write for moe. and is not a collection of jams or serious instrumental pieces. These are all fairly simple songs that are written from the heart, for other folks. They’re a combo of mine, and their experiences, and processed through my weird brain. Enjoy.
Stream Rob Derhak’s new solo album, Songs For Other People, on Bandcamp.
Rob Derhak – Songs For Other People