Rob Cushing delivers a refreshing, original and intelligent brand of hook-heavy, brooding melodic pop rock, which hints at The Beatles’ idiosyncrasies, Weezer’s edginess and U2’s endearing optimism. With a stunning 2^nd album forthcoming this year, this is one artist to keep your eyes (and ears) on in 2007.

Rob Cushing, a Cape Cod native now based out of the Boston area, is currently in the studio working on his 2^nd EP, “Tosa Nua”. The music that unfolds from this collection effortlessly mixes a timeless brand of pop with updated alternative sensibilities. A previous EP, “East To West and back again” released in 1997 (now out of print) received rave reviews around Cape Cod and eastern Massachusetts .

Originally hailing from the Cape Cod area and now based out of Boston , Cushing’s own musical background began at a young age when his family encouraged him to play piano and other instruments in his elementary school band. But his fate was to be sealed later in his teens when his mother moved the family to central Iowa and he picked up keyboards with a local rock band. Weaned on bands such as The Rolling Stones, The Beatles and The Who from his family (along with a great love of Irish music), Cushing later began to broaden his horizons by taking up guitar, bass and drums.

After his short stint in the armed services, Rob returned to his native Massachusetts and performed with local bands The Score, Division as well as a short initial run as a solo artist. His next band as guitarist, Singer Bad Dancer, was a four-piece band whose song “Sweet Jessica” was featured on the MTV show “Undressed” and received much acclaim as they branched out into the Boston scene before splitting in early 2003. Rob then hooked up with the renowned Boston group Pure Fiction for 2 years performing duties on keys and guitar, playing throughout the New England area.

Eventually deciding to go his own way, Cushing then began work on his next set of songs for a new solo album. Titled “Tosa Nua”, which is Gaelic for “clean slate”, Rob began laying down tracks, performing all vocals and instruments on the album. He has taken breaks from the studio to tour, having done two successful solo tours out to the Midwest as well as one down the East Coast, but is getting close to putting the finishing touches on the new album.

Engineered by Cushing and Appleman Studios producer Chris Cugini along with Rob’s former Pure Fiction-compatriot Scott Lerner, the results of  Rob Cushing’s’ new releases mix trace elements of the rock sounds that influenced Cushing in his youth, along with both melodic pop and the best of what alt-rock had to offer at a time when it really mattered. With a wealth of beautifully composed and arranged rock songs, such as “Friend in Me,” “Nothing At All” and “Keeping My Head Down,” Cushing proves – with powerful yet aching vocals over haunting pop melodies, warm harmonies and intelligent lyrics often delivered with a dry sense of humor – that he is capable of creating that rare thing in rock music – an album that is both immediately classic and forever timeless.

Currently unsigned, Rob Cushing expects to have his new album released later this year with an extensive national tour to follow.

In addition to his solo work, Rob can also be seen around the Boston area as a freelance musician, whether assisting Bleu on backup vocals for a live show, or taking the stage with bands like Rocketscience, New Blood or Juniper’s Daughter on bass guitar and other instruments. Rob was privileged to be asked to perform as part of a musical ensemble in 2004 for the memorial service for Vera Gold, a longtime executive and friend with the Boston Symphony Orchestra. Rob’s vocal and instrumental abilities continue to be in heavy demand in the Boston area.

Although “Tosa Nua” is technically Rob’s second album, he’s quick to point out that he really considers it his first. “I spend so much time reinventing myself as a musician,” he readily admits. “It’s a real departure what I’m doing this time around vs. my first album, that I almost feel like I’m starting over again. I’m getting very excited with the outcome of this album. I can’t wait for you all to hear it!”