New Music | Robert Ellis - What's In It For Me?


Robert Ellis – What’s In It For Me by NewWestRecords

I’ve been sitting down listening to Houston native Robert Ellis’ debut LP Photographs from New West Records. The first cut off the album is Ellis’ What’s In It For Me, its a gorgeous country ballad that could be stripped from George Jones’ catalog.  Ellis has a voice that’s sort of reminiscent of James Taylor… a soft vocal that’s great on the ears and can express a lot of sorrow (especially on this tune).  The drifting slide guitars and slow pace make this one perfect drinking alone song.

His album, Photographs, is a concept album split in two sides the a side being a more folksy dark side, and the b a full band country side.  The two distinct sides show some real fantastic artistry and pay homage to Ellis’ numerous influences.

Its an album I’ve been listening to non-stop for the last 3 days and I’m falling more and more in love with it.  His voice and the musicianship on here are astounding and will be beloved by fans of these genres.

Touring extensively in support of Photographs begins in May with a run up the West Coast including stops in Los Angeles and San Francisco. Robert will also take up a week long solo residency in Portland, followed by a full band July tour supporting the Old 97’s with shows in Nashville, Brooklyn and Chicago.

Robert Ellis Tour Dates
Fri, May 20 – El Paso, TX – Lowbrow
Sun, May 22 – Joshua Tree, CA – Pappy and Harriets 

Mon, May 23 – Hermosa Beach, CA – Country Mondays at Saint Rocke

Tue, May 24 – Los Angeles, CA – The Echo
Wed, May 25 – Santa Cruz, CA – The Crepe Place
Sun, May 29 – San Francisco, CA – Hotel Utah
Tue, May 31 – Denver, CO – The Hi-Dive
Fri, June 3 – Ft. Worth, TX – Lola’s Saloon Sixth
Sun, June 5 – Houston, TX – Free Press Summerfest 1pm
Sun, June 26 -Sat, July 2- Portland, OR – McMenamins Crystal Hotel [Portland Residency – Robert Ellis solo]
Tue, July 5 – Austin, TX – Cactus Café
Wed, July 6 – Houston, TX – Fitzgeralds
Fri, July 8 – Nashville, TN – Mercy Lounge *
Sat, July 9 – Nashville, TN – Mercy Lounge *
Mon, July 11 – Baltimore, MD – Ramshead Live*
Tue, July 12 – Asbury Park, NJ – Stone Pony *
Wed, July 13 – Brooklyn, NY – Bell House*
Thu, July 14 – Brooklyn, NY – Bell House*
Fri, July 15 – Wellfleet, MA – Beachcomber*
Mon, July 18 – Chicago, IL -Lincoln Hall*
Tue, July 19 – Chicago, IL – Lincoln Hall *
Wed, July 20 – Minneapolis, MN – First Avenue*
Thu, July 21 – Kansas City, MO – Crossroads *
Fri, July 22 – Oklahoma City, OK – ACM @ UCO*
Sat, July 23 – Denton, TX – Dan’s Silverleaf

* with Old 97’s