About the artist:

After playing in bands since his late teens, Albany singer/songwriter Rob Skane began performing solo as well in 1989. The 40-year-old musician has received airplay on college radio and in Europe, and opened for well-known performers such as Jeff Buckley, Juliana Hatfield, Grant Hart of Husker Du, Pat DiNizio of The Smithereens, Alejandro Escovedo, Graham Parker, Jeffrey Gaines and Jonathan Richman.

Artists including The Beatles, The Replacements, Nick Lowe, The Clash, Elvis Costello and Paul Westerberg have influenced Skane’s “garage/folk/rock ‘n’ roll music.” His keen observations, honest storytelling and wry lyrics have garnered him comparisons to Lou Reed and Westerberg.

In 2002, Skane’s second full-length CD, “SelfNoise,” received rave reviews from The All Music Guide, Metroland, Luna Kafe e-zine and Delusions of Adequacy. He’s currently working on a new record, which should be out this spring, and shopping for a label to release it on. His other albums include “Nowheresville,” “SoLoFi” and the cassette-only release, “Throwing It All Back Up.”

Skane has been playing guitar for almost 30 years, and gives private lessons. The full-time guitar teacher instructs 33 students in the comfort of each individual’s home.

Depending on the venue, Skane’s gigs can range from 40 minutes to four hours. His sets consist mostly of original material, but also contain some covers like “Lady Jane” by The Rolling Stones and “Surrender” by Cheap Trick.

Rob Skane is playing an all ages show at 7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 28 at Jitters Café in Ballston Spa. Admission is free.

To check out the artist, visit www.robskane.net and www.myspace.com/robskane.

Quotable Quotes:

“I love everything about music,” Skane said. “Like the way it makes you feel when you listen to a song you love, or people’s reactions when you’re playing.”

“My goal is to just keep playing and writing and getting better,” Skane said.

—Mike Ryan