February 2019 Newsletter
Sing Me An Old Tune
Ian Fitzgerald and I went into the studio in December and recorded and mixed 11 songs over the course of 5 days. We did it like they used to do it -- live in a single room, using complete takes with no overdubs. We are going to be releasing 5 of those songs on February 14th on an EP called Sing Me An Old Tune, a small collection of covers and originals. We originally thought it would be a digital only release, but thanks to the very generous Nine Athens Music, we will be printing to CD as well! Be sure to pre-order your copy so you can enjoy it as soon as it comes out on Valentine's Day!
- PRE-ORDER -
Compact Disc orders here: https://bit.ly/2HH9j6Y
Digital orders here: https://bit.ly/2TlloQB
PRESAVE it on Spotify & Apple Music: https://bit.ly/2DMg4AH
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Direct-to-Vinyl Recording
AUDIOPHILES REJOICE: I'll be doing a direct-to-vinyl live session at Leesta Vall Studio in Brooklyn, NY recording live takes of my songs onto 7” lathe cut vinyl. No two orders are the same! You can choose from among 7 of my originals on the pre-order site, but I will consider special song requests. Since each record contains a completely unique, one-of-a-kind performance, you can also request a personalized message from me.
If you already pre-ordered, you may have noticed your lack of vinyl in the mail...don't worry -- it's not lost! Leesta Vall rescheduled my session for March 5th. Orders should be shipped not too long after.
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Explore Ireland With Me?
I’ve been offered the opportunity to put together a musical tour of Ireland in the summer of 2020 for my friends and my supporters. If Ireland has been on your bucket list, and you like the idea of a music-centric tour with a small group of like-minded folks (5-10 in a group!) at a relaxed pace, this is it.
During our tour, we’ll visit castles from the middle ages and learn about history of Ireland. We’ll kayak under the stars in Skibbereen among bio-luminescent plankton and we’ll visit and participate in concerts, Irish pub sessions, and private music parties.
Before committing to leading a tour, I wanted to gauge interest; if this is something you'd like to learn more about and participate in, please respond to this email and let me know!
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Shows
FEBRUARY
Friday, 2.15 I'm heading to Montreal for Folk Alliance! I'll be playing in the Alaska Room at 11pm in a round with my dear friend and old roommate, Aurora Birch, and Emily Anderson.
Tuesday, 2.19 Sumner & Moss Country Band will be playing the opening set at The Cantab Lounge in Cambridge, MA at 8:30pm. We will have special guests! Our shows have been pretty rare as of late, so don't miss this one!
MARCH
I'm gearing up for a tour heading south with Ian Fitzgerald, supporting the release of our new album. More dates will be added here, so check back often!
Monday, 3.4 I'll be playing a solo set as a part of Cafe Nine's Manic Monday series. Ian Fitzgerald will play a solo set, and we will close the evening with some duets. Sean Rubin will open the night. Tickets are free with an RSVP, or $5 at the door. Doors at 7pm.
RSVP on Facebook | Grab your FREE tickets in advance
Tuesday, 3.5 at 9:30, I will play a solo set at Pete's Candy Store in Brooklyn, NY. Ian Fitzgerald will follow with a set at 10:30pm. All shows at Pete's are free, but there is a suggested donation of $5.
RSVP on Facebook
Wednesday, 3.6 Ian Fitzgerald and I will play Bourbon & Branch in Philadelphia, PA. We will each play a set before the wonderful Rachel Andie & The Fifth Element. This will be my first time playing solo in Philadelphia! Send your friends our way!
RSVP on Facebook | Grab your tickets in advance
Friday, 3.8 Ian and I will arrive in Asheville, NC and each play solo sets at the famed Isis Music Hall. Doors at 5pm, show at 7pm.
RSVP on Facebook
Thursday, 3.14 I will return to Shack Up Inn in Clarksdale, MS with Ian for a few sets in the main bar room. Shack Up Inn is one of the most unique venues I've ever had the pleasure to play -- it's an old plantation turned music-hub where you can stay in actual shacks and enjoy the slow, golden Mississippi Delta mornings. The ritz it ain't, but it sure is wonderful. I encourage you to check it out!! No need for advance tickets, this will be a pay-what-you-want show. Everything starts at 6pm!
RSVP on Facebook
Friday, 3.15 Ian and I have just confirmed a show in Nashville, TN at The Basement! I've heard incredible things about this venue and am very excited to get to play there. We'll be performing as a duo that evening splitting the bill with Nashville native, Jon Latham. Doors are at 6:30pm, show time is 7pm. Tickets are $5 in advance and $7 day of! I'll post ticket links on my website when they become available.
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Recommendations
In the spirit of our upcoming duets album, Ian and I made a Spotify playlist of duets we love. You should also give his profile a little love and "follow" him. Fun fact: when you follow an artist Spotify will include a new song from any upcoming album in your Release Radar playlist! Lastly, be sure to sign up for his own mailing list -- he's got some shows both solo and with his band Something Else coming up that I'm really looking forward to. Stay in the know!
My friends, The Western Den, came out with their incredible album yesterday! A Light Left On is now available everywhere. You must give it a listen.
Song I'm currently digging into: "Go Long," by Joanna Newsom
Somehow Joanna Newsom manages to mix football references while alluding to the Bluebeard folktale with no hitch whatsoever. She dissects masculinity in such an eloquent way with a manner that comes off more contemplative than preachy. I really can't help but feel mesmerized by the rhythmic meter her words (all so perfectly chosen) create and the layers of harp parts that get more and more intricate as the song continues on... As with all Joanna Newsom songs, I believe they are best enjoyed with the lyrics in front of you. This song comes to us from her 3 LP album, Have One On Me, which, over the past year, has become one of my all-time favorite albums. Lucky for me, she has fans who tend to over-analyze her work and share it with the internet. Seeing as the biggest football game of the year is tomorrow, I thought this might get you in the right spirit.
Thank you for subscribing and reading! I hope to see you soon. May your team slam all the dunks.
- R