So hey, back in January, I mentioned that Carry the Wounds would be the title for a new solo album I plan to release this year.
Well, after three attempts over, I dunno, maybe four or five years (sigh), the album is complete. Finally.
Sure, with life and chaos and film projects and writing/performing with BARRENS and anything else that pops up, maybe it makes sense that it’s taken a while, but it’s finally done – eight songs that will encompass my new solo album, Carry the Wounds.
Track listing:
- Liquid Heart
- Imperfections
- Carry the Wounds
- An Empty Phrase
- Crescent Glow
- The Southern Wind
- Fake a Smile
- Stay on the Wire
That’s the main news, but if you want a little more back story, here ya go:
Some of these songs I’ve had for at least six years. Maybe slightly longer. I had planned to work on a ten-song album originally. I kicked myself for not starting on it; if you’re an artist, you more than likely understand the self-hatred where you call yourself lazy for not doing the thing you think you should be doing – in this case, recording my album.
I have recorded my own work as a solo artist, but I wasn’t feeling it at the time. It felt tedious and daunting. So I thought that maybe I should go into a studio for the basics – guitar and vocals – then I’d have that foundation in place where I could just have fun layering other parts and instruments.
I thought going into the studio would be the kick in the ass that I needed to get going. So I went into a friend’s studio and began tracking. Well, due to a variety of life circumstances for both him and myself, that session was never completed.
So after more time and life and chaos and other projects, I started once again, this time attempting to record at home like my previous solo releases.
I tracked the main guitar for ten songs, then began to layer vocals and other instruments. I got vocals on maybe five or six songs, layered other instruments on a couple of those, and got busy with other things and uninspired and it fizzled out.
Of those ten songs, I only finished one that I thought was good enough to put out into the world – “This Barren Land,” the single I released in December 2018.
During the last bit of fall and early winter 2019, I went back and listened to what I had started a couple of years ago, and I decided to start over. Those incomplete recordings were not inspiring. I felt that I could do better. I hoped that I had grown as an artist. So I scrapped those recordings and began attempt number three.
With all of that – the eight songs on here are not even all part of the original ten I had planned to record. “Carry the Wounds” and “Liquid Heart” were written after I began those previous recording sessions, but I wanted them on this album.
I’ll be announcing album art and more details as things progress, but I hope that the wait was worth it. I hope you will enjoy it when it’s finally out there (on March 6!)
If you’re interested in hearing my previous solo releases, check out the “Music” page on this site. They’re on streaming outlets such as Apple Music, Spotify, etc. Or visit the links below:
This Barren Land (single, 2018)
Live at Seville (EP, 2017)
No One (Reprise) (single, 2015)
Ghost of a Town (album, 2013)
Ocean (Piano Version) (single, 2012)
The Final Scene (EP, 2010)
Note from the Georgian Hotel (album, 2008)
Thanks for reading, listening, supporting, and for encouraging me as an artist. It means a lot, and I’m very appreciative.
