I'll put Bob's work up with the best of Americana songwriters - Dylan, Springsteen, Steve Earle, Townes Van Zandt...he is in his creative prime.”

— Bruce Rockwell

Bob Gemmell

With a musical sensibility tethered to the American west, Bob Gemmell has put together a run of cinematic albums that cover a range of influences, but are consistent at the core. Picture a Frederick Remington painting hanging over a smoky bar where Hank Williams leans into a deep conversation with Joe Strummer.  Listen to Lonesome Desert Crawl from the first Big Medicine Head  album Rex Hotel  and try not to think of a big-block Dodge pounding across an empty Nevada highway.

Bob’s musical journey began with the sound of honky tonk music playing from his mom’s favorite country radio station and moved through the inevitable anarchic rock phase of youth and coming of age.  Bob settled into the twang and whiskey “Cow-Punk” genre so capably honed by California bands such as the Beat Farmers, Rank and File, and the Long Ryders.  Gemmell released several albums with critically acclaimed Big Medicine Head from Santa Cruz, California before releasing his first solo effort, Parts and Labor in 2019.

With words and melody Bob Gemmell paints an American landscape where the roads are travelled by highway kings, evangelists and lost souls - or where there are no roads at all.  Parts and Labor is a collection of tales from the Western Hemisphere, told with deep affection for the characters who roam its pastures of loss and redemption.

The music of Bob Gemmell and Big Medicine Head is at bobgemmell.com and available for placement in film and television projects.

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When “The Saint Of Everything” was said and done I thought for sure Bob Gemmell resided in the heartland of the US, but when I found out he was based beachside in Santa Cruz, things started to unravel – in a good way. I listened once more, and then a few more times and the west was in front of me the whole time as Bob Gemmell took the beauty that is Americana and implemented this chill, California vibe for a very enjoyable listen.  

What Bob Gemmell does best in “The Saint Of Everything” utilizes every moment of the song to paint a vivid picture. The end result is an audible canvas. Yes, you can’t hang this on the wall in the living room, but you can engulf your sitting area in the vibrant, laidback sounds of song that shines bright with the Americana spirit with speckles of folk and country to give it that extra something-something. “The Saint Of Everything” is for those who want to lose themselves in a relaxing musical moment through and through.  

Bob Gemmell’s latest followed “America, After the War,” a song that leaned a little more towards the countryside of life. This singer-songwriter has been releasing music for four years now, starting with 2018’s “Caravan.” Since then he’s had a handful of singles delight country fans, as well as his 2019 debut album, ‘Parts and Labor.’ For those who want that Americana heartland with a coastal cool vibe, make sure to check out “The Saints Of Everything” and all the rest Bob Gemmell has to offer by checking him out on all major music and streaming sites now.  

Rock Era Magazine 

There’s that heavenly feeling when you’re on a car ride and everyone else is talking about all the life-disturbing events and their voices are getting louder, but you just can’t hear a thing as you've got your headphones on, your melodies on, and your eyes are shifting between the sky and the road, as you enjoy the music aligning with nature. That's how "The Saint of Everything" made me feel. It’s calming and freeing, like some breezy air in the middle of August's sweltering heat.  

Bob Gemmell, a Santa Cruz-based American singer-songwriter, closed off 2021 with his reassuring vocals and bouncy country music in his single "The Saint of Everything," and I'm pleased to start 2022 with this delightful calm piece. The melodies are a gentle, upbeat combination of acoustic guitar with multi-layered accompaniments, mandolin, and fiddle that has a folk feel to it. The poetic lyrics urge you to embrace life, feel the beauty of the little things, and have some hope to keep going.  

The Americana-country atmosphere can be found not only in his lyrics which connect with nature, or in the core of his music, which is influenced by honky tonk music and the "Cow-Punk" genre mastered by California bands, but also in every chord of his heartfelt voice, which somehow charms you and gives you the feeling that everything will be fine.  

To forget about life for a bit and just enjoy the moment, listen to “The Saint Of Everything” below:  

Indie Dock Blog  

Bob Gemmell recently presented his new song 'The Saint Of Everything'. The American singer-songwriter is based in Santa Cruz from where he shares his beautiful country songs.  

'The Saint Of Everything' fascinates us immediately and forever. The slow and soft melody is filled with guitar multi-layered accompaniments and light percussion. Slides and acoustics meet in a harmonious dance that touches our hearts. The vocals have a beautiful timbre that leads that lovely story.  

Elegant country sound framed in the light of the frame of the song form shimmers with its melodious verses and refrain. Bob Gemmell has created another unsurpassed song that he can be proud of. His original sound and charismatic singing fascinates and lifts the mood.  

Listen to the single 'The Saint Of Everything' on Spotify below and feel the fullness of life along with the awesome song from Bob Gemmell.  

Edgar Allen Poets  

Good Day Noir Family,  

our “E.A.Poets Approved/Bands We Like” section is dedicated to Bob Gemmell. I discovered this Artist while shuffling songs on Spotify and I liked the atmosphere created by his music. The music of this talented artist immediately put me in a good mood, a compositional style that manages to make you forget about everyday problems for a few minutes.  

As soon as I pressed the play button I began to travel with my imagination and I saw myself as a wanderer on a train passing through the beautiful lands of central America.  

This music made me feel free and made me realize how important the little things are… like the sun that warms our skin or when we watch a sunset…little things that make our life so precious.  

Bob Gemmell’s voice manages to make you believe the words of the lyrics with its high and sweet timbre.  

A nice discovery that I recommend to everyone.  

Bob’s musical journey began with the sound of honky tonk music playing from his mom’s favorite country radio station and moved through the inevitable anarchic rock phase of youth and coming of age. Bob settled into the twang and whiskey “Cow-Punk” genre so capably honed by California bands such as the Beat Farmers, Rank and File, and the Long Ryders. Gemmell released several albums with critically acclaimed Big Medicine Head from Santa Cruz, California before releasing his first solo effort, Parts and Labor in 2019.  

Roadie Music  

Country and bluegrass tracks are so pleasant to listen to, when well-crafted, that it's impossible not to get in the mood even when it's not about styles that are to our taste.  

This can be proven when we come across an amazing track like Bob Gemmell's The Saint Of Everything.  

This highly contagious single pleases the most different tastes, precisely because it is a lively song, full of good energies and with an upbeat mood.  

In addition to all this good vibe transmitted in such a special way, The Saint Of Everything has all the competence and inspiration of a high-profile musician like Bob Gemmell who knew exactly how to develop an engaging work that completely takes our attention.  

Made in a very special way, this release has a unique musicality that comes with the most distinct nuances of acoustic guitars very well placed on slides full of hooks that catch us, precisely, in the small details that give a totally special color to the theme.  

Each of the instruments placed in The Saint Of Everything has a huge importance for the formation of a perfectly well created combo giving all the ambience for Gemmell's voice to become the icing on the cake of a wonderful composition.  

Of course, we must also put magnificent production into this largely well-balanced equation that made The Saint Of Everything a sure-fire hit that will garner fans all over the planet.  

Bob Gemmell is an artist who deserves to be recognized for his very intense musical personality and should be respected, appreciated and revered as the great musician he showed himself to be.  

Sinusoidal  

Bob Gemmell is an American musician whose interests lie heavily in the American west. Since he was young, Gemmell started out by playing Honky Tonk as it was his mother’s favourite genre. He eventually went through an anarchic rock phase and slowly melded his influence to create his own unique sound. Bob Gemmell has been recording and releasing music for some time now, and his experience in the industry shows.  

The Saint Of Everything is his latest release. The track has the most Country/Western vibe to it. It reminds me of every single scene in a film shot on those long country roads. The track has the same effect on me as Mamas Don’t Let Your Babies Grow Up To Be Cowboys. The simplicity of country is what does it for me. A simple rhythm is met by rather uncomplicated lead guitar work and accompanied by the harmonic beauty of Gemmell’s mellifluously soulful voice. For any Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas fans, this is probably the kind of track you’d hear on the country radio stations. Bob Gemmell has this uncanny ability to sing the Country Blues and comfort you while he’s at it. I suppose he could be compared to some of the greats in Glen Campbell and Billy Ray Cyrus.  

However, Bob Gemmell stands out on his own. There’s nothing I love more than when an artist is so true to themselves and Gemmell has been able to do that so effortlessly.  

York Calling - Underground Country 

Bob Gemmell is a musician and singer-songwriter from Santa Cruz, perhaps more well known as being the frontman of the band Big Medicine Head. The Saint Of Everything is a lovely country song with a mid-tempo beat to it – the vocal harmonies are lush and I liked the slight 50s feel the track has to it. It also sounds rather bluesy and folky at times – the strings in the background were a nice surprise too.  

Gifted Balance Records  

Good morning beautiful people and thank you for tuning in once again to The Study Lounge. It is a little cloudy outside this morning but the sun’s rays are shining through beautifully and we are feeling truly inspired by it. We are happy that we have had the chance to get our day started off with a fan favorite this morning and we are ecstatic to dive into our next one. After featuring such a high energy song we want to follow that up with a relaxing track that we feel will keep you feeling chill and centered for the rest of the day. We told you all in our last review that we plan on keeping things light today so this one will be the last one of the day. So we hope you are ready, because we are going to be learning about Bob Gemmell and his latest release, ‘The Saint of Everything’.  

Bob Gemmell is singer and songwriter from Santa Cruz who has been making his name known in the music industry since 2018 with his debut release, ‘Caravan’. This served as his initial mark on the scene but, music has been a focal point in Bob’s life for as along as he can remember. Growing up he was originally exposed to Honky Tonk music second hand through his mother. As he grew up his musical taste shifted to various genres that would ultimately help shape Bob’s unique sound and approach to making music.  Some of his biggest influences are greats such as, Hank Williams and Joe Strummer but Bob is able to apply his own unique skillset to create a truly phenomenal experience for listeners. Bob is an artist that has seemingly limitless potential and raw creative talent, which makes him someone we are definitely keeping on our radar. This is why we are thrilled to be showcasing his latest release, ‘The Saint of Everything’.  

‘The Saint of Everything’ is beautiful Americana Folk styled song that spreads words of hope and clarity but also serves as a message of warning for those willing to listen. The song opens with upbeat guitar chords layered overtop a consistent snare pattern that gives off a positive vibe from the very beginning of the song. Not too long after, Bob’s vocals appear in a warm, spacious fashion that caught our attention the moment we heard them. The song as a whole is incredibly cohesive and well thought out. We felt that the mix of the vocals and instrumental was done flawlessly. We loved this because when a song has a good mix, you are able to appreciate all of the elements that make it up so much more. We had the chance to speak with Bob about the song and his response was beautiful. He said, “We’re all a little beaten up by this period of human existence. We may feel a desire to exhale, face lifted to the sky, and appreciate a cool breeze and the moment as it passes. If so, this is the song for you.” We here at The Study Lounge love this song and love everything that Bob stands for. There is a lot more to come from this rising artist so be sure to be on the lookout. We will be adding ‘The Saint of Everything’ to our Chill Collection playlist so go give it a listen!  

Os Garatos de Liverpool  

The classic sound of American Country is back on our lists of recently released singles, with 'The Saint Of Everything', a track released almost a month ago on streaming platforms.  

With more spaced vocals, beautiful riffs/soils, string instruments and a soft drums as a background, these instrumental characteristics are coupled with a lyricism about hope, something important in the current times that the world lives.  

Being able to fit even into a movie soundtrack, the music has perfect elements for cinematography or we listen while we take one of the beautiful roads like Route 66.  

The Other Side  

Bob Gemmell – The Saint of Everything (2021)  

Sometimes we just need to sit back and think about the times we are living through. Fortunately, Bob Gemmell is doing the meditation for us, through the fairy dust and flowers of ‘The Saint of Everything’. A more upbeat single than you might first suspect, the track balances weariness with hope, to perfectly sum up how all of us are feeling about life and the world in general.  

Bringing some rustic Americana to a bubble of sparkling tones, Gemmell throws his musical sensibilities into a melting pot of sound. This fusion is rooted in the honky tonk music of his youth that moved with him into a phase of anarchic rock. While Gemmell has generally settled into the whiskey tones and twanging vibes of country-rock, there is always something new to hear in each of his releases.  

‘The Saint of Everything’ twangs into life with a head-bopping tone that seems to instantly fill you with good vibes. The warbling steel tones reach out into the horizon, taking your senses with it. There is a warmth to this melody that makes you think of sunny days where you sit on the grass and watch the clouds move across the sky. The whiskey warmth of Americana sinks into your bones, while the guitars twang through your chest and straight into your heart. The easiness of the melody helps you relax into the contemplation of the lyrics. While the music has you easing into relaxed meditation, there is also a forward movement that keeps you going down the soundscape.  

The Americana blend of the melody is picked up by Gemmell’s vocals. His voice has that country twang to it, but this is balanced with a soft acoustic rock smoothness. Through the lyrics, he considers the world and everything that has been happening. This is done through poetic metaphors and clear emotions. The weariness that comes from this contemplation could be overwhelming, but he tempers it with the full conviction of someone who is sure the future will be better. This is a wonderful feeling that has you hopeful for the future, while acknowledging that we have all been through some serious challenges.  

Bob Gemmell brings the twang of Americana to a weary, yet hopeful, contemplation of the times we have lived through in ‘The Saint of Everything’. The music is infectious as it pulls you onto the grass to watch the clouds go by. His vocals bring a poetic consideration of the past to the knowledge that the future will be better.  

Find out more about Bob Gemmell on his website, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Spotify.  

Wearymx  

Bob Gemmell Takes To The American West With New Single  

Written By Gabriel Mazza  

Hailing from Santa Cruz, US, Bob Gemmell champions Americana and Country music into a celebration of the American West, recently releasing his latest track ‘The Saint Of Everything’, a bubbly yet measured musical vehicle for a hopeful message.  

Boasting a long career behind him, Gemmell was a crucial part of the Cow-Punk band Big Medicine Head, before starting a solo venture that would bring him in separate - but always related - artistic waters. His homeland provided a wide and important inspiration to his songwriting: we can feel that sense of adventure, the willingness to remain positive in a treacherous natural landscape.  

A whirlwind of steel-guitar lusciousness and hillbilly energy: what’s not to like? To the ears of European listeners (like us), ‘The Saint Of Everything’ gives a touch of America, a movie-like scenario in which many of us would daydream and relax, taking an effortless break from the day-to-day mayhem.  

INTERVIEW  

York Calling  

Bob Gemmell is a fantastic musician and singer-songwriter who specialises in the country genre – I recently checked out his song The Saint Of Everything and really enjoyed it – hopefully our readers will do too, after reading this interview!  

By Jane Howkins  

You recently released a song titled The Saint Of Everything, which we reviewed. What can you tell us about this song and where can it be purchased?  

First of all, thank you for the review. Very much appreciated.  

The Saint of Everything began with a mandolin riff I had stuck in my head. I found a vocal melody I liked, but I could never quite catch the feel. When I added an acoustic guitar, it brought a nice swing to it. That really opened things up, and made a nice bed for the lap steel to lay in.  

When the pandemic hit I had to cancel a bunch of gigs and limp home. With time to write, I came up with America, After the War (https://yo…YGeJw-eCPw), which tells the story of what we’re going through in metaphor. The Saint of Everything was written deeper into the pandemic. It works in the same vein, but it also considers January 6th. I think both songs resolve to a message of hope. I’m too pathologically optimistic to think that there isn’t a brighter, post-MAGA world waiting for us.  

Has the pandemic hindered your work much?  

Some, but really I’ve been about writing, recording and releasing. There have been some missed opportunities to play live, but I’ve made good use of that time woodshedding with instruments such as the mandolin, banjo, violin and lap steel.  

One way my musical mates and I have managed to keep things going creatively is by starting our own league of songwriting pals. We call it the Dirt Preachers Union. Occasionally we Zoom together and play songs.  

What is the writing and recording process like for you? Have you started writing for a future EP/album yet?  

I tend to do it in chunks. A lot of people assume I have all the words first, since my stuff is a bit lyric heavy. In actuality, that’s never the case. I begin on the guitar, latch onto a melody, and find the sound of the words before I add anything literal. Once I’ve actually settled on the words, it’s pretty much done. From there I record in my studio on a DAW – I use Logic Pro. I also work with JeffyD, the proprietor and engineer at Lucky Dog Studios. He’s amazing.  

You’re also the frontman of Big Medicine Head. How does writing and performing solo music compare to being in a band?  

With Big Medicine Head I essentially craft a song on my guitar and turn it loose for everyone to come up with parts. On my own, I get that far, and then go further. Doing it solo – and with nothing to lose – I also tend to indulge myself by exploring some of my influences a bit deeper. For instance, Big Chrome Moon from the Parts And Labor album calls out to Burt Bacharach, Curtis Mayfield, and the Moody Blues, if you can imagine that. Speaking of which, if you listen to the end of Saint of Everything, I set up a sonic duel between Burt Bacharach and Chet Atkins. Or that’s what it sounds like to me, anyway!  

You’re based in Santa Cruz. What is the music scene like in your part of the world?  

I’m actually in the Sierra foothills right now, but my musical home is still Santa Cruz.  

The music scene in Santa Cruz has always been eclectic. We’re fortunate to have a great Americana/alt-country radio station called KPIG that streams around the world. Once and awhile I show up and play live in the studio there.  

Do you plan to release any singles in the near future?  

Yep! I’ve got several more circling the airport, waiting to land. When I get to 10 or 12 (including America, After the War and Saint of Everything) I’ll put out another album. I suppose we all have to wrestle with what that actually means these days, with physical product such as CDs having gone the way of the steam locomotive.  

What/who influences you most as an artist? What have you been listening to recently?  

Wilco, of course, but I’ve been coming on to Lord Huron of late. My new guilty pleasure: I LOVE the new Lindsey Buckingham album.  

Do you have any tour dates lined up?  

No dates yet, but sign up for the Tales of the Western Hemisphere newsletter (bobgemmell.com) and you’ll be the first to know!  

Any last words for the fans?  

We’re going to get through this. Come visit me in my musical clubhouse at bobgemmell.com, and we can commiserate. I’m friendly enough, and all the music is there. Make yourself at home. Towels are down the hall – please don’t use my toothbrush.