December 2009 Newsletter
Monday, November 02, 2009
Ten great years...yup, I'll drink to that!
THANK YOU
It has become an annual tradition to devote my last newsletter of each year to thanking those who help me with my life in music. I am ten years in now, and the close of 2009 also feels like the end of a chapter, of sorts. I have been so fortunate in the past decade that it is more important to me than ever that the following folks get their due.
I'll start with my booking agent, Lori Peters, and my record label, Signature Sounds. Due to the shifting sands of the music biz and the larger economic woes, it is harder than ever to get folks out to shows or motivate them to buy records. These two have made it possible to put out records and come to your neighborhoods for the last decade, and I am deeply grateful for the work they do on my behalf.
On the home front, my parents have stepped up big time to help watch my son Owen during my occasional, longer tours. I could not visit folks in the UK, Florida, Oklahoma or any other far-flung destinations without their support. The person who bears the brunt of the hardships that accompany the life of a touring musician continues to also be my biggest fan, and so I must thank my wife, Polly.
The biggest thanks of all goes to...YOU!
In this era of social networking, personalized content, and ubiquitous blogs, "individual music consumers" have become the most sought after agents spreading the word about new music. Industry types hotly debate "viral marketing" and "monetization," but my philosophy is to make the best music I can and trust the rest to work itself out. Don't get me wrong, I would love sold-out shows and higher record sales, but how that happens is more a mystery to me than ever. Ultimately, I feel I best serve others by having something to say. I will continue to work hard to ensure that listeners who do find my songs feel richly rewarded.
In addition to the long-awaited release of "Seven Curses" (recorded with Jeffrey Foucault), 2010 will also see the release of my 8th solo record, tentatively titled "Little Vigils." There are no official release dates because there will not likely be any official record company involvement in these records. More than ever I find myself pondering the question I first articulated in "Passing Through: how much can one voice do with just a song? The mystery endures, and I can't help myself but to go further in. As much as '09 feels like the end of an era, 2010 feels like the beginning of something new and I hope you will all come along for the ride.
Thank you for 10 great years, your support is the best gift a musician could ask for. From my family to yours, we wish you the happiest and healthiest of holidays.
MP3 OF THE MONTH: In honor of the upcoming annual covers show with Lori McKenna and Jake Armerding, this month's track is a version of Neko Case's "Deep Red Bells" from 2008's cover show. I love Neko Case, even if 95% of the time I have no clue what she's singing about. The song is available for free for the month of December on the downloads page.
THE SHOWS:
Fri Dec 4th - Granby Memorial High School, Granby CT - 7 pm
It's quality over quantity in the gigs department this month, and this guitar pull kicks it off with a bang. Four songwriter friends on stage together, trading songs back and forth is a format that favors unique collaborations, especially when the other three artists are Lori McKenna, Catie Curtis and Fred Wilhelm. To top it off, this show is a Benefit for the Granby Education Foundation. Good music, good cause...sounds like it's time to go to the promoter's website and get your tickets!
Thu Dec 17th - Passim, Cambridge MA - 7 & 10 pm
I always look forward to the (6th?) annual Under The Covers show with Jake Armerding and Lori McKenna. It is a blast to take a break from our originals and interpret songs by some of our favorite artists. Expect the unexpected...last year saw every color between Neko Case's "Deep Red Bells" and Prince's "Purple Rain" covered, and those were just my songs! We'll all be accompanied on upright bass, pump organ and God knows what else by Zack Hickman. These shows always sell out...because they rule. Get your tickets by visiting the venue website.
Mon Dec 28th - Tupelo Music Hall, Londonderry NH - 8 pm
I have a lot history in this room, going back to the days when it was The Muse at the Grey Goose, and James Taylor waited in line to buy a cd from me after I opened for his daughter. It has since morphed into the top-notch Tupelo Hall, and it's always a treat to get to play this stage. I'll be opening for folk-rockers Stephen Kellogg & The Sixers, who I have known since they were scrappy lads fresh outta UMASS Amherst. Should be a great night, so get your tickets at the venue website today.
SIDEMAN SECTION:
Dec 5 - Passim, Cambridge MA (with Alastair Moock)
Dec 11 - Birchmere, Alexandria VA (with Catie Curtis)
Dec 19 - Passim, Cambridge MA (with Lori McKenna & her band)
ON THE HORIZON:
Jan 9 - Summit NJ
Jan 10 - Riverdale NY
Jan 16 - Haverhill MA
Jan 23 - Cambridge MA
Jan 20 - Pomfret CT
peace,
mark
