Every once in a while an artist emerges who makes music for its own sake and, thankfully, shares it with the rest of us. And when it’s good, you listen — and listen again. Independent, unexpected, talented and relevant, Bob Rylett is one of these artists. A writer for our troubled times, Bob is a skilled storyteller — observant, insightful, witty, engaging — artfully narrating and singing to life unvarnished tales of pain and pleasure, confusion and clarity. With a sympathy and generosity of spirit one seldom encounters, Bob writes songs that reveal our strengths and weaknesses and capture our grit and determination. Whether illuminating the mundane or the mystical, each song issues its own gentle invitation to see and embrace ourselves, and each other, as we really are: human and fallible, but very much connected, powerful and capable of change. And whether he’s writing sensitively about love and loss — or passionately about power and protest — Bob’s understanding of the human condition is as deep and clear as his exploration is bold. As you hear survivors, fools, children and warriors speak, you will appreciate Bob’s candid portrayals and subversive social commentary — along with his signature ‘tongue-twisty’ turn of phrase. You will also sense an implicit optimism, distinctive and unwavering, running through his body of work. Look forward to being entertained, enlightened, cajoled and thinking real thoughts when you listen to Bob Rylett: every tune is a guaranteed lyrical and melodic innovation. Ramona Das