Intro
If you would have told me five years ago that I would have travelled Australia, played festivals, had reviews in Rolling Stone, been played on JJJ, had videos played on Rage, played guitar for national level acts, and built a committed fanbase of swamp blues lovers I would have giggled (and cried a little bit). But here we are! Isn't life amazing!
So the next chapter in my little career is my next solo record. It's a natural continuation of RUINS and the stuff I've done with Eagle & The Wolf. As I say all the time, none of this would have happened without the friendship I've built with the Chambers family over the years and HILLBILLY BLUES is the perfect amalgation of my blues roots with the songwriting tradition of country music. If you like JJ Cale, Tony Joe White, Ry Cooder, Steve Earle and/or Lucinda Williams I really think you are going to love this.
I believe HILLBILLY BLUES has the best songs I've written and the best playing I've committed to tape. We recorded it live in two days and it absolutely captures me having the best time of my life with a bunch of people that I love (and are badass players). Bill Chambers, Jeff McCormack, Sarah Humphreys, Josh Dufficy and myself made a swampy, grizzly, dirty, beautiful thing - just by hitting record.
My hope for this project is that it extends the reach of my music via more touring opportunities both here and abroad. I would like to think it will also help me push up into the next bracket of national touring artists. If I can build on the achievements of the past couple of years there's no reason this shouldn't happen right?
The album is called HILLBILLY BLUES purposefully and as a matter of fact. This is who I am. This is what I do. And to be honest not many people do it like this in this country.I'm not jumping on any bandwagon. It is 100% from my heart and soul.
If you believe in real music by real people and you love gritty guitar music please support this album project. I guarantee that you will love the album and will be proud to be associated with it.
What I Need & What You Get
Due to the generosity of my producer and band I have been able to get most of the album done already. I just need a little help to get the album finished and release ready.
The money from your support will go towards:
- Production, musicians and mixing ($2000)
- Mastering the record ($1100). This is the final stage of making the record sound phenomenal for radio and your car and your iPhone and anywhere it ends up.
- Manufacturing of 1000 CD's ($1350). This is so I can have physical product. And you can too.
- 2 x film clips ($500 each). One lesson I took from Eagle & The Wolf was the importance of quality video content to make new fans. I'd like to fund some simple but kick ass videos for the first two singles.
Total: $5450
I am not asking for help with artwork as I do that myself.
The extra special perks I will be offering supporters of this project are:
- Early access to the singles before they drop
- Signed CD's with a handwritten note
- A limited re-release of the BURY MY BONES T-Shirt (that everyone loved!)
- A new HILLBILLY BLUES Limited Edition T-Shirt (that you will love!)
- A HILLBILLY BLUES MASTERCLASS learning some guitar or writing some music with myself in person or on Skype
- A HILLBILLY BLUES SHOW at your house (I know, I know)
- A HILLBILLY BLUES recording session with myself.
If I don't reach my target I will fund the mastering and CD production firstly and find another way to get the videos produced.
The Impact
The basic plan is that we'll wrap the project up fairly quickly and start pushing singles out to radio from the end of July. This will build to the album release of HILLBILLY BLUES in October, 2018. Alongside this we are already booking dates for a lot of shows starting from August. It's all happening.
In the last four years I have released a bunch of successful independent records. I have proven to be adept at getting projects done and have been strategic in their release. Both RUINS and EAGLE & THE WOLF were 100% independent projects which both made a dent in the roots music world in Australia. EAGLE & THE WOLF were also invited to showcase at AMERICANAFEST in Nashville but we were busy making a baby. Sorry Nashville - maybe HILLBILLY BLUES will take me there next year?
In any case all roads point to this being another exciting and successful project.
Risks & Challenges
I don't foresee there being any major obstacles to us getting this done. I am so close and your help will just help me nudge HILLBILLY BLUES over the line.
Other Ways You Can Help
I totally understand that not everyone has the spare cash to support every project that pops up. Or even just to get by! I really know this! If you think this project is KEWL and would like to help in some way though please share this project on your socials. Or share my videos. Or send me a nice message. Anything nice or funny is appreciated.
THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!
