In a few hours I am out the door alone in my father’s car to start a back to back string of 18 house concerts over 19 nights in 7 different states cover 4500 miles. I thought I might use this self-indulgent space to explain a bit because this tour is unlike anything I’ve done before.
Normally, when it comes time for us to make a new record, the band and I disappear into a studio and re-emerge a month later with some songs recorded. Then 4 more months later we start a tour around our familiar stomping grounds to say, “here’s some new music. Please buy a copy.”
This year I’ve reversed the process. Over the next 3 weeks, I am touring around the Southeast playing this brand new set up songs to hear your feedback, work through the story arc, let you help me decide the title of the project, and determine what songs will or won’t be recorded. We started with a list of 22 songs to consider. Then with the wise input of friends, label-types, and the band, we narrowed the list to nine songs. We will probably only release 5 on this next CD.
So this tour is about inviting listeners in on the process. One of the ways we’re doing that is through Kickstarter (that nonsense to the right of this post). It’s a way you can pre-purchase this new project before we’ve even recorded it and pick up some cool bonus features along the way like a live-streaming concert from the studio and video performances of your favorite song dedicated to you or someone you love (or hate).
Most of these 18 concerts will be hosted in the homes of friends I’ve made along the way. The environment will be intimate, risky, maybe even awkward at times. I can’t wait to share these songs with you and I’m most excited about unfolding this narrative along the way.
See you along the road.