nowhere cover

Released December 4, 2012


The Other Side of Nowhere

The Other Side of Nowhere, my fourth CD, reflects the sound of the live shows I've been doing the last couple years with violinist Paul Ermisch. I was grateful for Paul accompanying me and wanted to document how we sounded together.

But, once in the studio, I couldn't resist adding some more instruments. So, in addition to Paul and me, this record includes a few other fine Colorado musicians. See the list below.

The CD includes eight songs; all but one my own compositions. The first four -- Sea of Hope, Let's Go to the Mountains, The Other Side of Nowhere, and The Man in the Movies -- are new and have not been previously recorded. The fifth, Trouble on the Way, is a cover written by Timmy Riordan. The remaining three -- Misfit, Let it Go, and Falling into Heaven -- may be found on earlier CDs, but are featured here with entirely new arrangements. If you have heard the versions Paul and I have been performing live as a duo -- and like them -- then, you are in for a familiar treat. If you haven't heard us live, I think you will enjoy hearing fresh acoustic reinterpretations of these songs.

As the title song invites, dare to take the exit to The Other Side of Nowhere. We'll be waiting for you.

--Rob Roper December 4, 2012

The Songs

  • 1. Sea of Hope
  • 2. Let's Go to the Mountains
  • 3. The Other Side of Nowhere
  • 4. The Man in the Movies
  • 5. Trouble on the Way

...and some old songs with new arrangements:

  • 6. Misfit (Acoustic)
  • 7. Let it Go
  • 8. Falling into Heaven (Acoustic)




Reviews

"On his last effort, 2011's Misfit, Rob Roper more than proved that he had sharp songwriting skills and a knack for penning some pretty damn witty lyrics. There's more of that on the new The Other Side of Nowhere, but musically, this release is more of a stripped-down affair with primarily acoustic instruments, a setting that works quite well with Roper's writing, bringing his lyrics more to the forefront. Roper says he originally intended to make a duo album with violinist Paul Ermisch, with whom he's been performing as a two-piece for the past few years, but during the recording process, more players were brought in, including percussionist Daren Hahn. While Misfit might rock a bit more, The Other Side of Nowhere is equally engaging and potent." --Jon Solomon, The Westword

"...'The Other Side of Nowhere' is all about the music, with four new originals, a stellar cover and new arrangements of three previously-released tunes. Roper sounds terrific here, with 'Sea of Hope,' the title track, and 'The Man in the Movies' the best of the new songs. His cover of Timmy Riordan's 'Trouble on the Way' is a delight, as are the newly-arranged renditions of 'Misfit' and 'Let it Go.' It's time you got to know Rob Roper." --Jeffrey Sisk, The Daily News, 4 stars.

"Rob Roper brings occasional violin and drum instrumentation out alongside his eloquent guitar work on his new record The Other Side of Nowhere. The title track is the most definitive of Roper’s sound: a bit slow, yet melodic; ambient, yet strangely catchy. It is acoustic rock with Roper’s own unique touch on it, and it echoes with Colorado flavor.

Roper has been in Denver since 2000. The influence of Colorado culture is very present in his songs, especially the track “Let’s go to the Mountains.” His music sounds like what you would hear in a small high-country café, there are touches of country as well as some faster paced rock riffs that stand out at just the right times. The album is a great listen to put your mind in a happy, mellow mood, you may just catch yourself “Falling Into Heaven." --Tim Wenger, Colorado Music Buzz magazine

"While some of the vocals on The Other Side of Nowhere could use some tweaking, the music is sterling. Roper’s guitar playing is delicate and smooth." --BFJ, Marquee Magazine, 3.5 stars

The Musicians

  • Rob Roper: Lead Vocal, 6 and 12-string Acoustic Guitars
  • Paul Ermisch: Violin
  • Peggy Dennis: Backing Vocals
  • Daren Hahn: Cajon, Djembe, Lap Snare, Shaker
  • Brian Hunter: Electric Bass
  • Mary Stribling: Double Bass (Upright Bass)
  • Hannah Alkire: Cello
  • Dave Firestine: Mandolin

Recording Engineer: Brian Hunter

Mixed by Rob Roper and Brian Hunter

Album Photography and Artwork design by Scott McCormick


Produced by Rob Roper and Brian Hunter


What the Fans Say

"This is a great new CD. The more I play it; the more I like it. As usual, Rob Roper tells the stories of those of us who will never be be rich or famous; stories of failure, struggle, dreams, and modest victories, often with wry humor and an unsentimental, hard-earned hopefulness. The acoustic arrangements are quite different from the electric band-based ones on his previous CD Misfit. Both styles are just as good, and this CD has the added treat of featuring some amazing violin playing by Paul Ermisch. I especially like the country-style title song and The Man in the Movies, a deceptively simple ode to failed love with a haunting cello accompaniment. Highly recommended!" --Millie Phillips

"Stuck in stop and go traffic on an icy road with bad news on the radio, I switched the car stereo to Rob Roper's newest CD "The Other Side of Nowhere". The uplifting strains of “Sea of Hope” came floating from the speakers and it changed everything for the rest of my commute. Suddenly, I felt hopeful instead of mired in negativity. Rob Roper’s music has a tendency to do that – to take you from one space into another, from despair into hope, or the other way around. On this latest CD, each song is a vignette that places you inside the mind and heart of the writer, or at least the character he has created. The title cut is an invitation to leave behind what think you can or cannot do, a challenge to excel. “Let’s Go To the Mountains” is a wistful attempt to reconnect with what was good about a relationship that went awry... “Man In the Movies” is... a tiny gem – nothing extraneous, only the absolute essence of the story. The one cover song, Timmy Riordan’s “Trouble On The Way” gets stuck in my head on a regular basis. Mr. Roper knows how to pick ‘em!

"As for knowing how to pick ‘em, his partnership with classically trained Paul Ermisch on the violin elevates the folk/Americana flavor of the music to something really unique that grabs your attention and holds it. All of the musicians on this album add something – there is nothing extraneous here, just really good music." --Nancy Farmer

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