BIOGRAPHY
Biography (Eng)


Singer-Songwriter Bob Spring is a thoroughbred musician. He started playing violin at the age of 6. When he discovered his voice – there was a problem in singing and playing violin. Additionally he discovered Elvis Presley. So the step shifting and becoming a guitar player was a small one. At the young age of 16 he became the professional lead singer of Backwash, a Kick Ass Rock’n’Roll band that gained international recognition including a record deal with the Houston TX based label Perris Records. For 10 years they toured all over Europe and released an EP “Feel Rock” (2003) as well as a long player “Kick Ass!” (2006). In 2007 he started his solo-career and since then wrote the incredible amount of more than 1200 songs – mostly produced and arranged in his home studio. “I am a painstaking songwriter, even though I often find it pretty hard to stay focused” he describes himself.

Bob released his first solo EP “West End EP” (2009) followed by the LP “Run From Death” in June 2013 – the start of dark country/junk blues developed by him. In May 2014 he released his second full length album named „Dust And Arrows“. No squiggles, no moaning, sober but still melodic. The album of former Krokus opening act sounds like summer, granted, a summer with some dark rain clouds in the sky. Being Swiss-Italo-American, Bob defines his own style, sort of a mix-up of Alternative-Country, Americana and Singer-Songwriter kind of thing. A club tour in his country of origin brought Bob Spring to the homeland of his heart, the United States of America. Bob likes touring, especially touring the States, where in 2012 he played shows across the country including New York, Nashville and Los Angeles at well-known venues such as the Hotel Indigo (Nashville, TN) or the Whisky a go-go on Sunset Strip in West Hollywood.

His second USA Tour 2014 kicked off in October starting in New York, and continued to blaze a trail through Pennsylvania, Maryland, North Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Nevada, Arizona and California which lead to nineteen performances across the United States of America, from small bars in New York City to legendary venues like "The Basement" in Nashville, Tennessee, the WDVX Blue Plate Special Radio show to the Whisky a go go in Hollywood, Los Angeles, California.

He recorded a second album in 2014 with his band “THE CALLING SIRENS”; “Bob Spring & The Calling Sirens” was released in March 2015 and brought the combo onto legendary stages as for example, the Montreux Jazz Festival along with Paolo Nutini, Portishead, Sam smith and many more. In May 2016 Bob Spring & The Calling Sirens headed for their first tour in Ireland.
Beside of that, Bob, released a solo album dedicated to one of his best friends, Michal Kral, who passed away by the end of 2016. The album is called "Flesh And Rust".
Two years later, the second Bob Spring & The Calling Sirens album "DARK COUNTRIES" was released in October 2018. A masterpiece!

As a repentless songwriter with an enormous output, the songs kept coming and 2019 was the right time to set up some plans for the coming solo releases. As you can imagine, that's a whole lot of work for a single person, without a management, doing literally everything wether it's the artwork, the website, the social media stuff, the financial plans or the videos and so on... The next solo record, "I woke up like this" should have been released by Spring 2020. Due to the global pandemic Covid-19 situation (lockdown, travel shut down, etc) it wouldn't have made sense to release the album since the initial plan was to go on tour again. (Europe, Canada, USA). And then, on top of it all, the USA were struggling with their old demon, racism.
Bob had the idea to release a concept album about the "American Dream" and to stand up against social injustice the racism and the malpractice of law empowerment happening day by day. "American Dream" and its 14 songs were released digitally on July 4th 2020.

„I always knew that it’s not going to be easy to become a professional musician, especially nowadays and being on tour for 2 months surely is a physical and a mental challenge. Still I think I get rewarded richly for all the hard work when I see so many people in so many different countries and cultures. I never would have met them without my music .”

In addition to numerous single releases during the pandemic, Bob Spring has worked on various international projects, mainly as a songwriter. Shortly after the first lockdown, it was clear that releasing his fifth solo album would make little sense. This and other tragic events in the United States prompted Bob to take a stand in solidarity with black people in the United States. This happened with the release of the concept album "American Dream" in summer 2020. The album was included in the playlists of several national and international radio stations and was even awarded 8 out of 10 stars by the Americana Music Association UK! Time flies and Bob is constantly writing songs and producing them in his studio.

At the end of 2021, his repertoire will number a little over 1300 of his own songs. In spring 2022, the releases of the single "Black Hope Yard" and the cover song album "Noriginals" followed, on which Bob interpreted some of his favorite pieces by Dolly Parton, Hank Williams, The Avett Brothers, and many more. April 2022 – Finally, Bob Springs 5th solo album «I woke up like this» is released! Along with the music and videos, a book will also be released in which Bob will provide a short story behind each song's creation and/or inspiration. Of course, the paperback also includes all the lyrics to «I woke up like this».
 

Career Highlights to date:

2022:

• 5th solo album "I woke up like this" to be released on April 8th
• Book publishing: "I woke up like this - Album Lyrics & Song Stories"
• Released the single "Black Hope Yard"
• Video release "Black Hope Yard"
• Released the cover album "Noriginals" (not in stores)

2021:

• Released two singles: "Georgia" and "Smooth Sea". Both were released as a studio and a live version
• Recorded a side project with a Polish songwriter named Weekender. To be released 2022
• Recorded the cover song album "Noriginals"

2020: 

• Album release: AMERICAN DREAM as a sign of solidarity with the colored community
• Postponed the release of the album "I WOKE UP LIKE THIS" and released the concept album "AMERICAN DREAM" instead. It's a concept album against social injustice, racism and hate motivated crime. It also is a sign of solidarity for the colored community.
• Released the Covid-19 / Lockdown themed song "ISOLATED" and the video to the song.
• Struggling, just like any other artist in the Covid-19 times...

2019:

•  Recorded and produced the next Bob Spring solo album.
• Continuously played solo shows as well as with the Calling Sirens. One Love Festival, El Lokal, Galicia, etc. 
• Bob (solo) Supported the U.S./Canadian group Madison Violet at the MAUZ Music Club. 
• Bob and The Sirens released their second vinyl "Dark Countries" at El Lokal in Zürich. 
• Wrote an entire album for Patric Pleasure (DJ) 
• Bob Spring & The Calling Sirens did many radio interviews, specials and talks all over nation, promoting their album "Dark Countries"

2018:

• Bob Spring & The Calling Sirens released their second album DARK COUNTRIES which gained a lot of attention and radio airplay. The album has been awarded with "Best Album of The Year" by Switzerlands only Music Magazine LOOP.
• Bob Spring feature on On song International (Australia) - A generational talent!
• Played many solo shows as well as with the Calling Sirens and recorded another 100 songs.

2017:

• Showcased the upcoming BSCS Album at MAUZ music club playing the new songs in front of an audience for the first time.
• Released the single "The Blue For The Hope"
• Recorded the upcoming Bob Spring & The Calling Sirens album
• Played many shows at well known summer festivals.

2016:

• Released a FREE Album called "FLESH AND RUST" which is dedicated to Michal Kral who was, so Bob, a father-like and a very good friend of his. Michal Passed away in Oct. 2016.
• Bob Spring & The Calling Sirens toured Ireland in May playing well known venues.
• BSCS released their 2016 single called "Hold on restless heart" which is a good preview of the upcoming, second album's perception. The second Bob Spring & The Calling Sirens album is to be expected in 2017. Stay tuned!
• Bob Spring released several new singles such as "The Darkest Place", "Spit Me Out And Lick Me Up" (watch the video) and "Gone when you wake". Further on he released all the COVER SONGS he recorded during the last few years, the download of the 2CD album is totally free but also available as a limited, handmade 2CD Digipack for the die-hard fans.

2015:

• Released the first LP Album with his brand new live band "The Calling Sirens". Check it out here!
• Played at the worlds famous Montreux Jazz Festival in Montreux, Switzerland along with Paolo Nutini, The Alabama Shakes, Sam Smith, Portishead and many more.
• Recorded 3 LIVE videos with 5 cameras. One shot videos. Two of them have already been released through Social Media Channs:  "Guess I'm not a friend" and "Monuments of our time"
• Wrote and recorded many more songs – release planned as the next "Bob Spring & The Calling Sirens" record.
• Released the handmade "Limited Edition 2015" and the singles "Barren Run" and "Country Gent"
• Released the side project singles of. Curly Tonic x Bob Spring

2014:

• Played 19 Shows across the United States of America... From small bars in New York City to legendary venues like "The Basement" in Nashville TN, the WDVX Blue Plate Special Radio show to the Whisky a go go in Hollywood, Los Angeles, California. All shows listed here.
• Release of the album „Dust And Arrows“ – The „REAL“ Bob Spring Album. 15 Songs, Home recorded and 100% authentic.
• Recorded about 400 Songs.
• Release the singles „Tijuana“ and „California Sun“
• Recording the “Bob Spring & The Calling Sirens” LP

2013:

• Bob Spring supported the legendary Swiss Rockband KROKUS at the fully occupied Volkshaus in Zurich twice! Both shows were sold out with 2800 spectators each! Bob is already working on his next record.
• CD Limited Edition 2013 (unreleased songs in a handmade cardboard digipack. Numbered and signed. Includes a handwritten lyric sheet).
• Bob signs a publishing deal with BMI (USA)
• Played many well known venues such as the Kaufleuten (ZH) and Mahagony Hall (BE) with his new LIVE band "Bob Spring & The Calling Sirens".

2012:

• The official Bob Spring debut album "RUN FROM DEATH" is finally recorded and mixed (by Dave Snow at Sourmash Studio) and mastered (by Maor Appelbaum, Los Angeles, CA). To promote the Album in the USA, Bob Spring and his Band “Bob Spring & The Junkers”, did a small USA Tour in summer 2012. The tour started in New York with 2 shows (Goodbye Blue Monday in Brooklyn and Arlenes Grocery in Manhattan, New York). By car they went straight ahead to Nashville, Tennessee for other 2 shows (Gabes Lounge and Indigo Hotel). After that they did the last 2 shows in Los Angeles, California (TRIP in Santa Monica and the world famous Whisky a Go-Go in West Hollywood)

2011 -  2012:

• Got his band “Bob Spring & The Junkers” together and played many shows, Open Air festivals as well as club shows all over Switzerland. Bob Spring also had his first headliner show at the Piedra Libre Open Air Festival at Freienstein, ZH

2011:

• To push the West End EP (2010), Bob went on tour again. (The first time he went to Honduras in 2009 he did an TV Interview with Canale 4 and played 5 live shows) Hitting Roatan (Bay Islands) Honduras C.A in 2011 got him even more shows and radio interviews, not only in Central America but around the globe (e.g. Intertank und Macondo in Berlin, Clearing Barrel G.I. Coffeehouse in Kaiserslautern, Germany, diverse online radio stations all over the world)

2010:

• Released a conception EP called "WEST END EP". It features 5 songs and each of them has its own true story.

2007-2008:

• Published 2 Un-Official Solo CDs (“Junk Blues” and “Rise drain darkness mother and sleep”)…

2006:

• Gained a record deal in the U.S.A (Perris Records) with an international distribution deal (ZYX) with his then time Rock Band Backwash and released an EP (Feel Rock - 2003) and an LP (Kick Ass! - 2006). Played more than 300 shows (Backwash and Solo) in Europe. Headliner shows and of course support shows for Rock legends such as Krokus, The Quireboys, Blood Hound Gang, Turbonegro….

The full list of all the past and upcoming shows can be viewed on www.bobspring.com/shows
 

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Biografie (Ger)

Bob Spring ist Musiker mit jeder Faser seines Wesens. Er begann mit 6 Jahren Geige zu spielen – als er aber seine Stimme entdeckte, gab es ein Problem: Singen und Geige spielen ging nicht zusammen. Zeitgleich entdeckte er Elvis Presley und der Ausweg hin zur Gitarre war schnell gefunden. „Mir war immer klar, dass ein Leben als Musiker nicht zwingend einfach sein würde. Ich liebe es, on Tour zu sein – auch, wenn das eine physische und psychische Herausforderung ist. Ohne meine Musik würde ich aber die vielen unterschiedlichen Menschen aus unterschiedlichen Kulturen nicht treffen. Sie bereichern mein Leben um so viele Facetten“.

Als ehemaliger Frontmann von «Backwash» prägte er nach der Jahrtausendwende den Begriff des «Kick Ass Rock’n‘Roll» und tourte über 10 Jahre durch Europa. Seit 2007 ist Bob Spring solo unterwegs und hat mittlerweile über 1200 Songs geschrieben und produziert. «Ich bin ein fleissiger Songschreiber, auch wenn es mir oft schwerfällt, mich zu fokussieren.»

2009 veröffentlichte Bob seine erste solo-EP "West End EP" und landete in Honduras seinen ersten Radio Hit. Im Juni 2013 folgte dann seine erste LP "Run From Death" und im Mai 2014 "Dust And Arrows" - Dieses brachte Bob Spring endlich auch in der Schweiz einen bestimmten Bekanntheitsgrad ein.

Heute hat er sich dem Dark Country verschrieben. Ehrlich, ungeschminkt, direkt und persönlich schenkt er Genres wie Americana, Singer-Songwriter oder Alternative Country keine grosse Beachtung, wohl aber den Menschen und den Schatten und Abgründen in ihrer Seele. Damit definiert der Schweiz-Italo-Amerikaner seine ganz eigene Sicht auf das Leben. Er schreibt auch heute noch Rocksongs, vorwiegend für um Aggressionen abzubauen. Die Intensität seiner Musik bestätigt auch Andy Knecht, ehemaliger A&R von EMI und Gründer der CD Studio AG in Zürich: „Der Mann ist eine Wucht“. 

Das merkt man insbesondere bei seinen Liveauftritten - Bob geniesst den direkten Kontakt mit seinem Publikum. Der Vollblutsmusiker tourt regelmässig, insbesondere in den USA, und spielte schon Konzerte von New York City über Nashville bis Los Angeles. Er trat bereits in renommierten Clubs wie dem Whisky a Go Go am Sunset Strip in Los Angeles, dem Basement und dem Hotel Indigo (Nashville, TN) auf. 
Seine US-Tour im Oktober 2014 startete in New York; sie führte ihn dann von Pennsylvania, Maryland, North Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Nevada, Arizona bis nach Kalifornien. Unter anderem trat er in der weltberühmten Radio Show, The Blue Plate Special, auf. 

Danach nahm er mit seiner neuen Band „The Calling Sirens“ das gemeinsame Studio-Album auf, das Anfang 2015 veröffentlicht wurde und der Band Auftritte an renommierten Festivals wie zum Beispiel dem Montreux Jazz Festival bescherte. Bob veröffentlichte Ende 2016 sein drittes Solo Album «Flesh And Rust» welches er seinem verstorbenen Freund und Vaterersatz, Michal Kral, widmete. Im Oktober 2018 folgte dann das zweite «Bob Spring & The Calling Sirens» Album «Dark Countries». 

Nebst zahlreichen Single Veröffentlichungen während der Pandemie, arbeitete Bob Spring an verschiedenen Internationalen Projekten, hauptsächlich als Songwriter, mit. Kurz nach dem ersten Lockdown war klar, dass die Veröffentlichung seines fünften Solo-Albums wenig Sinn machen würde. Dies und andere, tragische Ereignisse in den USA, veranlassten Bob, ein Zeichen der Solidarität mit der Schwarzen Bevölkerung in den Vereinigten Staaten, zu setzten. Dies geschah mit der Veröffentlichung des Konzeptalbums «American Dream» im Sommer 2020. Das Album wurde gleich bei mehreren Nationalen sowie Internationalen Radio Station in die Playlists aufgenommen und sogar von der Americana Music Association UK mit 8 von 10 Sternen ausgezeichnet!

Die Zeit vergeht und Bob schrieb unablässig Songs und produzierte diese in seinem Studio. Ende 2021 zählt sein Repertoire etwas über 1300 eigene Songs. Im Frühjahr 2022 folgten die Veröffentlichungen der Single «Black Hope Yard» und des cover song Albums «Noriginals», auf dem Bob einige seiner Lieblingsstücke von Dolly Parton, Hank Williams, The Avett Brothers, und vielen mehr, interpretiert.

April 2022 – Endlich, Bob Springs 5. Soloalbum «I woke up like this» wird veröffentlicht! Zusammen mit der Musik und den Videos, wird auch ein Buch erscheinen in dem Bob zu jedem Song eine kurze Geschichte zur Entstehung und/oder Inspiration präsentiert. Selbstverständlich beinhaltet das Taschenbuch auch sämtliche Lyrics von «I woke up like this».

 

2022:

• 5th solo album "I woke up like this" to be released on April 8th
• Book publishing: "I woke up like this - Album Lyrics & Song Stories"
• Released the single "Black Hope Yard"
• Video release "Black Hope Yard"
• Released the cover album "Noriginals" (not in stores)

2021:

• Released two singles: "Georgia" and "Smooth Sea". Both were released as a studio and a live version
• Recorded a side project with a Polish songwriter named Weekender. To be released 2022
• Recorded the cover song album "Noriginals"

2020: 

• Album release: AMERICAN DREAM as a sign of solidarity with the colored community
• Postponed the release of the album "I WOKE UP LIKE THIS" and released the concept album "AMERICAN DREAM" instead. It's a concept album against social injustice, racism and hate motivated crime. It also is a sign of solidarity for the colored community.
• Released the Covid-19 / Lockdown themed song "ISOLATED" and the video to the song.
• Struggling, just like any other artist in the Covid-19 times...

2019:

• Recorded and produced the next Bob Spring solo album. Expected to be released in January 2020. 
• Continuously played solo shows as well as with the Calling Sirens. One Love Festival, El Lokal, Galicia, etc. 
• Bob (solo) Supported the U.S./Canadian group Madison Violet at the MAUZ Music Club. 
• Bob and The Sirens released their second vinyl "Dark Countries" at El Lokal in Zürich. 
• Wrote an entire album for Patric Pleasure (DJ) 
• Bob Spring & The Calling Sirens did many radio interviews, specials and talks all over nation, promoting their album "Dark Countries"

2018:

• Bob Spring & The Calling Sirensveröffentlichten ihr zweites Album DARK COUNTRIES, die Resonanz war und ist nach wie vor gross. Das Album wurde vom Loop Magazin zum "Best Album of The Year" gekürt.
• Bob Spring feature on On song International (Australia) - A generational talent!
• Viele Solo Shows und ebenso viele mit den Calling Sirens gespielt. Und natürlich weiter geschrieben und aufgenommen, ca. 100 Songs

2017:

• Showcased the upcoming BSCS Album at MAUZ music club playing the new songs in front of an audience for the first time.
• Released the single "The Blue For The Hope"
• Recorded the upcoming Bob Spring & The Calling Sirens album
• Played many shows at well known summer festivals.

2016:

• Released a FREE Album called "FLESH AND RUST" which is dedicated to Michal Kral who was, so Bob, a father-like and a very good friend of his. Michal Passed away in Oct. 2016.
• Bob Spring & The Calling Sirens toured Ireland in May playing well known venues.
• BSCS released their 2016 single called "Hold on restless heart" which is a good preview of the upcoming, second album's perception. The second Bob Spring & The Calling Sirens album is to be expected in 2017. Stay tuned!
• Bob Spring released several new singles such as "The Darkest Place", "Spit Me Out And Lick Me Up" (watch the video) and "Gone when you wake". Further on he released all the COVER SONGS he recorded during the last few years, the download of the 2CD album is totally free but also available as a limited, handmade 2CD Digipack for the die-hard fans.

2015:

• Veröffentlichung des Albums "Bob Spring & The Calling Sirens". Check it out here!
• Verschiedene Konzerte und Festivals, solo sowie mit The Calling Sirens. Unter anderen am Montreux Jazz Festival in Montreux, Switzerland, zusammen mit Acts wie Paolo Nutini, The Alabama Shakes, Sam Smith, Portishead und vielen mehr.
• 3 Live Videos, aufgenommen mit 5 Kameras; 2 davon wurden bereits via Social-Media veröffentlicht. "Guess I'm not a friend" und „Monuments of our time“. “Hold on restless heart” wurde 2016 mit der gleichnamigen Single veröffentlicht.
• Neue Songs geschrieben und vorproduziert; auch für die 2. Platte mit seiner neuen Band "Bob Spring & The Calling Sirens" (VÖ 2017)
• VÖ der "Limited Edition 2015" sowie der Singles "Barren Run" und "Country Gent"
• VÖ von 3 weiteren Singles im Rahmen eines Remix Projektes. Curly Tonic x Bob Spring

2014:

• 19 Konzerte quer durch die USA gespielt, von kleineren Bars in New York City über legendäre Locations wie das "Basement" in Nashville TN, die berühmte Radio Show "Blue Plate Special" auf WDVX Radio bis hin zur Westküste zum Whisky a Go Go in Hollywood, Los Angeles, California. Alle gespielte Konzerte hier.
• Release von „Dust And Arrows“. 15 Songs, Home recorded und authentisch zu 100%. Mittlerweile beläuft sich das „Bob Spring Song Konto“ auf ca. 400 aufgenommene Songs.
• Release der Singles „Tijuana“ und „California Sun“
• Aufnahmen der “Bob Spring & The Calling Sirens” LP

 2013:

• CD Limited Edition 2013 – Handgemacht und auf 50 Stück limitiert. Jede CD beinhaltet ein handgeschriebenes Lyric Sheet.
• Bob Spring supported 2x hintereinander die legendäre Rock Band KROKUS im ausverkauften Zürcher Volkshaus.
• Mit seiner neuen Live Band „The Calling Sirens“ spielte er Konzerte in Locations wie dem Kaufleuten in ZH und der Mahagony Hall in Bern und viele mehr.
• Bob unterschreibt einen Publishing Deal mit BMI/USA.

 2012:

• USA Tour mit renommierten Adressen wie „Arlene’s Grocery“ in Manhattan NY, Indigo Hotel in Nashville TN, Gabe’s Lounge in Nashville TN, TRIP in Santa Monica (Los Angeles, CA) und zu guter Letzt ddem weltberühmten Whisky a Go-Go in Hollywood (Los Angeles, CA).

 2011:

• Das solo Debüt „Run From Death“ wird fertig gestellt… (produced by Dave Snow at Sourmash Studio), mixed and mastered (by Maor Appelbaum, Los Angeles, CA)

 2010:

• Release der „West End EP“ – Der gleichnamige Song  „West End“ wird 2010 zum Radio Hit in Honduras.
• Bob Spring spielt seine erste Ausland Tournee, 1 Gig in Houston, TX und 5 in Zentralamerika (Roatan, Honduras). Gibt Interviews an Radio Stationen.
• Schreibt weiterhin ständig Songs und nimmt diese in seinem Studio auf.

 2009:

• Bob Spring spielt zum ersten Mal in Zentralamerika (Roatan, Honduras) und wird gleich vom Staatsfernsehen von Honduras live übertragen.

 2006 – 2009:

• Unzählige Songs (Bob Spring Solo) aufgenommen und 2 Demos veröffentlicht.
• Das Video zu „Boogie Man“ wird auf SF2 ausgestrahlt. Bob Spring zu Gast bei Dani Beck in der Sendung Musicnight. 

 2006: Backwash: Longplayer „Kick Ass!“ wird weltweit veröffentlicht.
2005: Backwash supporten die Bloodhound Gang und Turbonegro im Zürcher Volkshaus.
2003: Feel Rock EP mit ex-Band Backwash bekommt einen internationalen Plattendeal in den USA mit weltweitem Vertrieb und grosser Resonanz.