FANS of singer-songwriter Rob Richings have only got one more chance to hear his captivating live performances in the town before he jets to the other side of the world to record his debut album.

The Swindon-born musician has had more than his fair share of ups and downs, having survived three life-saving and life-changing operations in the last five years to beat cancer.

Now the father of two is hitting the road with hit songwriter Tom Baxter before heading down under to Sydney on November 22 to record his debut album with Passenger producer, Chris Vallejo.

The singer, whose ulcerative colitis was so bad it caused a life-threatening cancerous tumour, said: “A brush with death that close certainly puts things in perspective, but I’ve recovered well and I’m alive with ideas.

“There’s no doubt in my mind that my illness has spurred me on and helped me write better songs. Every day I feel so incredibly fortunate to be here at all and it’s that sense that is coming out in the songs I’m writing. I can’t wait to share them with an audience on tour.”

Citing his influences as Canadian singer songwriter Ron Sexsmith, modern musical renaissance man Damon Albarn, Sugar Man Sixto Rodriquez and home town heroes XTC, Rob packs his songs full of strong melodies, elegant lyrics and great hooks.

“Standing in front of a crowd armed with an instrument and a set of songs – there’s a simple honesty about that,” he said. “It’s what musicians have done for thousands of years and for me the simpler and more honest life is the more beautiful it becomes.

“This will be my last gig in Swindon until probably at least February, but it could be even later. The gig on Sunday is not far off being a sell-out, which is pretty good, as it can be hard getting people out in Swindon on a Sunday evening.”

He revealed he hadn’t hesitated when the opportunity to record his album in Australia had arisen, although the prospect of three weeks in the studio there was a little daunting. He said: “If I was recording it in London I could always just pop back up there and change something if I wasn’t happy with it, but I can’t really do that with Australia, so I have to nail it!”

His final Swindon gig will also fall on the same day that his four track EP Half Way Up receives its first play on national radio, with it due to be heard on the BBC Radio 2 airwaves during the Sunday morning breakfast show.

He added: “The grass in not always greener, everyone’s got their own problems. So no matter what’s going on in your life, get on and live it; and if there’s something you want, take inspiration from that and go for it.”

Rob's gig will be held at The Arts Centre on Sunday from 7.30pm. Tickets costing £10 are available by visiting www.swindontheatres.co.uk or calling 01793 524481.