It's finished!

I'm delighted to announce that my new album is finished and will be called 'As I Live and Breathe'. I'll be releasing the track list soon for you to check out :)

What do you think of the artwork?

How long is too long?

I'm about 3 songs away from having my album mixed, and I'm really happy with the way it's going so far. The only thing is, it's around the 45 minute mark already. It won't quite get there, but it will be up close to an hour by the time it's done.

Is that too long? Would you listen to an hour of music by one artist?

I'm also aware that it's been a long time since I've released anything, and keeping all the tracks on there feels like a good way to repay people's patience. Plus, if I hold tracks back for my 'next release', there is a decent chance that when I get around to that, I'll either forget about the songs I left back or won't want old stuff on a new record, so they will never come out at all. Plus different people will like different tunes, so more songs gives me more chance of having something someone will like.

What do you think?

It's finally happened!

I can't quite believe it. After what seems like an eternity of recording, leaving, moving studios around, forgetting, re-recording and agonising over minute details, I've finally finished tracking my album! The computer tells me that it's a total of 1,128 takes! I guess I am a perfectionist after all!

Now it's on to the task of editing, fine tuning, mixing and mastering. Then I can start thinking about fun things like pressing CDs and launch parties. Who am I kidding, it's all fun really!

Quality over quantity

You may have noticed that I've not been gigging a huge amount recently. Aside from the obvious family and recording reasons, I thought I would shed some light on why that is.

Over the past few years I've hosted lots of different types of gigs in lots of different types of venues. I've run open mic nights,  booked nights, all dayers and festivals. Recently I've tried to make a clean break from running gigs where I can't pay the other acts involved, such as open mic nights or freebie booked nights.

I'm not saying these nights don't have a place, I play at them myself. I guess I'm just trying to build a reputation for myself as someone who can get musicians paid gigs, even if the fee can only cover travel and drinks.

So now I have my fortnightly songwriter's session at The Crown Joules and I've just confirmed the dates for another year of Fox & Anchor gigs. Outside of that, I'm starting to look again at some more gigs for myself,  but I really do want to focus on getting this album finished. It's been way too long!

Year's end - 2016

It's time to look back over the last twelve months and measure myself against the goals I had set both personal and professional. This year, as with many years, I think this process will leave me with mixed feelings. On one hand there are things I wanted to do that have yet to happen, but while looking back over my listings and memories I see that on the other hand I have achieved a massive amount this year. So here goes...

I played 136 gigs this year, so an average of 2.6 per week. That number surprised me, as I feel like I've taken my foot off the gas in 2016. Granted many of those gigs are repeated hostings so are in the same venue, but it's still more than I expected. I started up open mic nights at The Wharf in Walsall and The Clarendon in Chapel Ash, Wolverhampton, the latter of which is still going strong. I also handed over the sessions at The Grain Store after they wanted a change in musical direction. The Fox & Anchor sessions were a success once more, though the long time manager of the pub has now retired so we shall see if the gigs return there in 2017. Some of my highlights from this year include returning to Kidderminster Arts Festival for Music in the Valley and my first appearance at Cradley Heath's famous Chainmakers' Festival.

But it's 'off stage' where my greatest achievement of the year can be found. After buying our first home in late 2015, Kayla and I welcomed our son Buddy into the world on the 2nd of April this year. It's impossible to put into words just how special this has been for us, and he is an amazing addition to the Draisey family band!

Now on to my goals for 2016:

While my new album remains unfinished, it's a great deal closer than it was, and with all the upheaval of this year I'm hoping I can be granted a pardon. A few little bits are left to be tracked before the mixing and agonising can begin in ernest.  Once again this will make my main resolution, though I do have an idea for another one...

I'm aware that I don't expose myself to enough new music - that is, music that is new to me. So I'm hoping to hear something new every week, be it an album, ep or live set. I'll try and keep an update going on here or social media.

Finally, after a year where we have lost so many great musicians, I feel I should pay another tribute to Maria Broster. Maria was a great friend and a great musician and is missed by everyone who knew her. There is a tribute gig at The Barge & Barrel in Tipton on the 7th that I'll be attending and hopefully playing, so I'll hopefully see you there.

So that's it. I hope everyone has a wonderful and prosperous new year. See you out there.

Sam.

Last week of the year!

Merry Christmas everyone. It's my last gig of the year on Thursday! Come down and say hi, and if you play I'll record you!

This week!

Fancy getting a live recording? Come to open mic at The Clarendon on Thursday armed with a USB stick and I'll record you!