Rob Laakso

Rob Laakso
Laakso performing in 2019
Background information
Born	(1979-04-16)April 16, 1979 Massachusetts, U.S.
Died	May 4, 2023 (aged 44)
Genres	Indie rock, indie folk, lo-fi
Occupation	Musician
Instrument(s)	Guitar, bass guitar, keyboards, synthesizers
Labels	Matador
Formerly of	Kurt Vile & the Violators, Swirlies, Mice Parade, The Wicked Farleys
Website	roblaakso.com

Rob Laakso (April 16, 1979 – May 4, 2023) was an American musician, record producer and engineer, best known as the recording partner of indie rock musician Kurt Vile and as a multi-instrumentalist in his backing band the Violators. Laakso also played in the shoegaze band Swirlies, among others. Born in Massachusetts in 1979, Laakso graduated from Emerson College.^[1]

After contributing to Vile's second and fourth studio albums, God Is Saying This to You... (2009) and Smoke Ring for My Halo (2011), Laakso became a full member of the Violators in 2011 after the departure of guitarist Adam Granduciel. After joining the band, Laakso contributed heavily to Vile's subsequent studio albums, Wakin on a Pretty Daze (2013), b'lieve I'm goin down... (2015), Bottle It In (2018) and (watch my moves) (2022).^[2]

Laakso died on May 4, 2023, at the age of 44 from cholangiocarcinoma, a fairly rare and aggressive form of cancer of the bile duct.^[3][1] He was survived by his wife Mamie-Claire and their two children.^[4]

With Kurt Vile

• God Is Saying This to You... (2009)
• Smoke Ring for My Halo (2011)
• So Outta Reach (2011)
• Wakin on a Pretty Daze (2013)
• It's a Big World Out There (And I Am Scared) (2013)
• b'lieve I'm goin down... (2015)
• Bottle It In (2018)
• (watch my moves) (2022)
• Back to Moon Beach (2023)

With Mice Parade

• Obrigado Saudade (2004)
• Mice Parade (2007)
• What It Means to Be Left-Handed (2010)

With Amazing Baby

• Rewild (2009)

Wth Diamond Nights

• Popsicle (2005)
• Once We Were Diamonds EP (2005)

With Swirlies

• Damon, Andy, Rob, Ron: The Yes Girls (2000)
• Cats of the Wild Volume 2 (2003)
• Swirlies' Magic Strop: Winsome Zamula's Hammer of Contumely (2005)

With The Wicked Farleys

• Sentinel and Enterprise (1998)
• Sustained Interest (1999)
• Make It It (2000)

• Rob Laakso discography at Discogs