Robert Morfitt
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Robert Morfitt is a native of Vancouver, BC, Canada, whose exciting journey throughout the world of music has ran the gauntlet from being a booking agent for the UK Subs, to composing, playing and performing in superstar band Econoline Crush, to the present day where his experiences have brought him to his current focus: visual arts and filmmaking, where he is again garnering critical acclaim as a video director for Sahara Hotnights, Hot Hot Heat, The Organ, Stink Mitt, and more.
Morfitt’s entry into the music biz occurred in 1990, when he took on a role booking a North American tour for British punk legends the UK Subs. This early experienced prepped him for the hard the work and politics that is always in-store for any serious, working band, and Morfitt credits this early experience as prepping him for his next job – that of a musician.
In 1992 Morfitt joined Econoline Crush, an upcoming Vancouver band managed by ex-Queensrÿche managers Harris Music Group. In 1993 Econoline Crush signed a record deal with EMI Music Canada after playing only 26 shows. The band released their first EP, “Purge,” in 1994, with Nickleback producer Dale Penner (Nickelback) at helm. After some management shuffles (aren’t there always?), EC released their first full length LP, 1995’s “Affliction,” this time working with famed producer Rhys Fulber (Front Line Assembly, Delirium, Conjure One, Fear Factory). An extensive Canadian tour followed, while at the same time the “Purge” EP was nominated for a Juno Award. 1995 also saw EC tour Europe three times, with the Young Gods, Die Krupps, and Waltari, culminating in an appearance at the POP KOMM Festival in Köln, Germany with Filter.
1996 witnessed the continual rise of EC through the music biz ranks as they signed on with the legendary management group Bruce Allen Talent (Bryan Adams, Michael Buble, Bob Rock, Bruce Fairbairn, Loverboy, BTO) while also setting foot in a legendary studio to record: Sound City, where Nirvana, Kyuss, Tom Petty, Fleetwood Mac, Slayer, Johnny Cash all made history. This excursion paired EC with yet another famed producer, Sylvia Massy-Shivy (Tool, System of a Down, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Johnny Cash), to create 1997’s The Devil You Know LP. The commercial success and critical acclaim that shortly ensued launched EC on cross-Canadian tours with KISS, Foo Fighters, Green Day & others, and the subsequent 1998 USA release of The Devil You Know on Restless Records found them touring the USA and (once more) Canada extensively with KISS, Stabbing Westward, God Lives Underwater, and again, many others. As the millennium approached, EC’s name and reputation grew (along with it’s fanbase), and EC songs were featured on TV shows such as Melrose Place, Psi Factor, ESPN, and others. The band also received their second Juno nomination for the TDYK album, and was asked to perform live at the televised Juno ceremony. Meanwhile EC received Gold & Platinum awards for sales of TDYK.
In 1999, the restless Robert Morfitt parted ways with Econoline Crush, and after taking a break from the grueling touring and recording schedules that he had known as a member of EC, Morfitt joined Vancouver band Morning Maker. After signing with Ralph James of The Agency Group for North American bookings in 2001, MM toured Canada with Default and Big Sugar, continuing to tour in 2002 with Nickelback, Robin Black, and others.
2002 also saw Morfitt begin to direct, shoot and edit music videos, and his first videos are featured on Robin Black DVD release “We Came, We Saw, We Came”. Although he was a relative novice at the time, his talent was obvious, and two of Morfitt’s videos were selected to feature in the 1st annual Indie Music Video Festival (IMVF).
Encouraged by these initial successes and driven by a love and excitement for the art of video-making, 2002 saw Morfitt ( alleged former junky ), begin working under the tutelage of Grammy-nominated, multiple MuchMusic Video Award winning director William Morrison, who was at that time assembling Process Productions, a collective of upcoming directors and designers. True to his winning streak, that year another yet another one of Morfitt’s videos was selected to showcase in the second annual IMVF.
The following years bore witness to Morfitt’s discipline and drive, as he scoured local and international indie music scenes shooting scores of live footage from too many bands to mention, while continuing to make striking, original and effective videos for those artists lucky enough to work with him. In 2004 Morfitt’s video for Stink Mitt’s “Biker Shorts” went into light rotation on MuchMusic and received many accolades as part of the third annual IMVF, now touring throughout the globe in Canada, US, & Europe. Shortly after, yet another Morfitt video appeared on MuchMusic, for The Organ song “Brother”.
By now Morfitt’s polished skills had earned him several offers of freelance camera work, and he took on new challenges, shooting footage for Novus Television’s coverage of the Molson Indy and joining Canadian industrial heroes Skinny Puppy for a string of dates in US and Canada as video and camera operator. Most recently, Morfitt has worked as DP-Camera on the series pilot “Bandwagon”, produced by AZZ Entertainment / Backburner Entertainment. The summer of 2005 saw Morfitt make major geographical and personal changes when he moved from Canada to the USA where he now resides as a permanent resident, just a few miles from the Joshua Tree National Park with his wife and daughter.
