In early March the band shared the stage at two different shows with a couple from out of town. They stayed in our home for the weekend and this time together was absolutely mind bottling. (Name that movie!) Jedidiah and Pauline Wick turned out to be two of the most inspiring people I have ever met.

Music for me has always been a bit of a double edged sword. On one side nothing is more fulfilling and completely expressive than pouring your heart and soul into a tune and performing that song with all that you have. On the other side, it is so hard to make any money, let alone an income to support a family of five plus a dog and three cats. For so long I have floundered at job after job, almost hating myself because everything I am wants to be somewhere else doing something else. Two years ago, or so, I lost a really good paying job due to the economy and because of that we are facing an impending foreclosure of the home we thought we would raise our family in. This was, and is, absolutely devastating in many ways. But while any sense of security was snatched away, this has forced us to face our fears and ask ourselves some tough questions.

Fear has always been a powerful motivator for me and it has always held me back from taking risks. Even so, I finally started playing music out in public again and my wife started taking her photography more seriously. This was a big step for both of us. In many ways I am being who I was meant to be. But I have still not felt right. Contentment is a fickle and fleeting emotion and I am not sure it serves much good; at least for me anyways. But I have not felt the way I had expected to. After two years, I have not become famous (which wasn’t a goal of mine, anyway), I have not gained large amounts of wealth…or any for that matter. All the money we’ve made has gone back into the band and saving for the next record. However, we did manage to record an album that I am very proud of and made some great friends on the way and had a blast doing it.

After spending this last weekend with our new friends the Wicks, I have realized a couple things:
1) I am still afraid; afraid of rejection, afraid of stepping out and trying something that might fail, afraid of what people might think, and I’m afraid of asking others to help me and to invest in me.
2) I have been letting all of those fears prevent me from really pursuing a musical career. I have been dipping my toe in the pool and while I cannot just dive in head first (as I have a family to take care of), I have definitely not yet made an effort to get all the way into the pool.
3) I want this more than anything. I want to be able to provide for my family doing what I love. I don’t need to make much, I’ve always been poor. But if I want my children to follow their dreams, I want them to see their father following his.
4) I have a lot of great people around me who love me and want to see me succeed. From my amazing wife, to my very talented band mates, to everyone who keeps showing up to my shows, to the people who supported our album fundraising, to everyone who bought a record or ever will.

So, to all of you, thank you so much! Your support has literally been life changing. We are going to make a real go of this and I look forward to having you along for the ride.

Here in the Pacific Northwest, we are not accustomed to snow, let alone the copious amounts that we received this winter. I enjoyed it, however, because it was preceded and followed by some exciting events for me and the band as well.

Of course there was our EP release show on December 2nd, which had a great turn out and was a lot of fun.

Then the next weekend I ran audio for a theater production ironically named ‘Like Winter Snow’, which my wife performed in as well.

Then there was Christmas with three kids, which is never truly restful though always thoroughly enjoyed by us all.

All in all winter has brought a very hectic schedule for the whole band, so it was nice to get socked in for a few days to play and enjoy the wild weather. I hope you survived as well and stayed safe.

That being said as we are laying out the schedule for the spring and let me just say, I am really excited! We are going to be playing with some of our favorite groups and at some fantastic venues.

Details to come soon, stay tuned!

The excitement is mounting and our hearts are all a flutter in anticipation of seeing all your fine faces.
I know it sounds trite but there isn’t any other way to say it–we couldn’t have done this without all of you.  As such, our release show won’t be worth a chicken nugget if you aren’t there to share in the revelry!
So come on out–whether you bring your dancing shoes or your sittin’ pants you’re in for a great show.  We’ve got Levi Ware & Sean McGrath to start out the night and we’re playing songs you’ve never heard live and selling the album to boot.
So bring your Ma, your Pa, your Brother-in-law and your dog groomer’s aunt’s ski instructor’s cousin as well, it’s going to be a fabulous night!

December 2nd is our EP release show at the Q Cafe in Ballard.  Levi Ware and Sean McGrath will be joining us to bring you a night of great music and the chance to get your mitts on our Under the August Sky.

We might also have some other merchandise for you to peruse that may or may not involve beards.
You’ll have to show up to find out!

–Brad

The album is the biggest news and we can’t wait to share it with you.  There’s a couple of ways to get it but that’s fodder for a later post.  Today I’d like to thank the band, Bri, Rick and Curtis for rocking those long hours in the studio like champs.  I’d also like to give a shout out to the folks over at Fastback Studios for their hard work producing the album as well as Justin Holland for creating the album art. And I can’t forget the guest stars on this record, Danielle Downey, Luke Miller, Shannon Ryker, and Quinton Kakaley. Thanks for your stompy-ness and your amazing voices!   Under the August Sky was a group effort if there ever was one.  I have a pretty kick ass team on my side.

Stay tuned for more info about our EP release show and other ways you can get your hands on Under the August Sky.

–Brad