Robert Forster (musician)

Robert Forster (born 29 June 1957) is an Australian singer-songwriter, best known for his work with songwriting partner Grant McLennan, with whom he co-founded The Go-Betweens.

Forster grew up in Brisbane, Australia. He met McLennan in drama classes at the University of Queensland and, inspired by a mutual love of Bob Dylan and the New York music scene, formed the Go-Betweens [Andrew Stafford (2004, 2006). "Pig City: From The Saints to Savage Garden." Brisbane: University of Queensland Press. ] .

In addition to his work with the Go-Betweens, he has released five solo albums:"Danger in the Past", recorded in Berlin in 1990;"Calling from a Country Phone", recorded at Sunshine Studios, Brisbane, in 1993 with members of local pop group Custard;"I Had a New York Girlfriend", a collection of cover versions recorded in Melbourne in 1994;"Warm Nights", recorded in London in 1996 and produced by Edwyn Collins; and "The Evangelist", recorded (all but one track - "A Place to Hide Away") at Good Luck Studios, London, September - November 2007.

Critically acclaimed internationally as a songwriter, he reveals a strong literary influence in his work. He became, through his work with McLennan and the Go-Betweens, one of a group of Brisbane musicians who established a particular Brisbane sound characterised by laid-back, jangly arrangements.who|date = May 2008

In 2005, Forster began writing for the Australian magazine, "The Monthly". He had virtually no print experience, with only a column on hair care for a fanzine in the 1980s to his credit. cite news |title=Praise for a pencil pusher |author=Bernard Zuel |work=The Sydney Morning Herald|publisher=Fairfax Media Limited |date=2006-10-25 |accessdate=2008-05-04 |url=http://www.smh.com.au/news/music/praise-for-a-pencil-pusher/2006/10/25/1161749186810.html] On 25 October 2006, it was announced that Forster was the winner of the Pascall Prize for Critical Writing for his columns. cite news|first=Iain|last=Sheddon|title=Prize for Go-Between at a critical point in his career|work=The Australian|publisher=News Limited|url=http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,20867,20646404-16947,00.html|date=2006-10-26|accessdate=2007-04-10]

On 6 May 2006, Grant McLennan died in his sleep at his home in Brisbane.cite news |title=Band founder dead at 48 |author=Noel Mengel |publisher=The Courier Mail |date=2006-05-08 |accessdate=2006-05-08 |url=http://www.thecouriermail.news.com.au/story/0,20797,19056056-7642,00.html] Forster picked three songs co-written by Grant McLennan, including "Demon Days", which is the last song the pair wrote together, and recorded them alongside some of his own material to produce his first album in 11 years. "The Evangelist" was released on April 26, 2008 through Yep Roc Records.cite news |title=Yep Roc Records - Artist Info| date=2008-06-04|accessdate=2008-07-04]

Forster announced his return to live performance with four nights at the Queensland Music Festival in July 2007.

Discography

olo

*"Danger in the Past" (1990)
*"Calling from a Country Phone" (1993)
*"I Had a New York Girlfriend" (1995)
*"Warm Nights" (1996)
*"Songs for the Young at Heart" (2007) - contributed "Uncle Sigmund's Clockwork Storybook"
*"The Evangelist" (2008)

Compilation albums

*"Intermission" (2007)

Go-Betweens

* See The Go-Betweens

Filmography

*"Prüfstand VII" as Fährmann (2002)

Writing

* "The Exford Dregs," "The Monthly", 11, April 2006
* "A True Hipster," "The Monthly", 14, July 2006
* "Modern Times and Times Before That," "The Monthly", 17, October 2006
* "The Coronation of Normie Rowe," "Meanjin", volume 65, number 3, 2006, pp. 48-52.
* "Love Goes to a Building on Fire," "The Monthly", 21, March 2007, pp. 58-60.

Notes

Further reading

* David Nichols (2003). "The Go-Betweens". Puncture Publications. ISBN 1-891241-16-8

External links

* [http://www.robertforster.net www.robertforster.net] Robert Forster website
* [http://www.go-betweens.net/ www.go-betweens.net] Go-Betweens Website
* [http://www.myspace.com/gobetweensmusic www.myspace.com/gobetweensmusic] Go-Betweens Myspace page