I read a great interview with a singer-songwriter called Rosie Thomas this week on a journal called The Great Discontent. They interview various creative people and are concerned with things like creativity, risk and artistry.
The interview with Rosie Thomas particularly resonated with me, although there’s good stuff in all the interviews. She had lots of good things to say, but here are a couple of choice excerpts:
“Draw from your strengths and yourself - buy what you’re selling. People know when someone is being sincere and authentic. You can tell when a performer is giving you their heart.”
“No one can do what I’m doing better than me and no one can do what you’re doing better than you. Doesn’t that take the pressure off? There’s no point in comparing yourself to others. The world needs more of your voice, not your attempt at someone else’s voice.”
Read the full interview over at The Great Discontent.
Listen to Rosie’s new album ‘With Love’ on Bandcamp.
this morning, my facebook feed was full of people moaning about The Brits. That Adele or Ed Sheeran were somehow undeserving of it and that they’re not real musicians.
Instead of watching it on TV, you coulda been at a gig, rehearsing for your band, listening to records or reading a book.
The Brits isnt a reflection of the whole of the music world or society in general. so chins up. there’s plenty more out there.
Agreed.
Source: banquetrecords
I’m sad to say that I’m no longer going to be able to release New Season on vinyl as planned.
I thought the demand was there to make the release viable but the pre-sales have been less than expected, meaning that going through with the release would be a HUGE gamble in the hope that I’d shift a few more copies on tour in the coming months. I can’t really afford to be a few grand down, so I’m going to have to cancel the release for now. I’ve looked at other options, such as doing radio edits of the songs so that they fit on one LP, but I think that would be rubbish. As would cutting a couple of the songs.
If the album release goes well then I might be able to look again at doing it in the coming months (the artwork and vinyl master of the songs are ready to go, after all). Everyone who has bought the vinyl so far will receive a refund in the next few days, and you’ll be the first to know if the vinyl release is going ahead in the future. Similarly, if you were interested in buying New Season on vinyl and hadn’t placed your order yet, just email me on luke (at) lukeleighfield.com with ‘vinyl’ in the title, and I’ll email you if the release looks likely.
It would be a different matter if I’d written an album of three-minute pop hits that would fit nicely on to one LP. Sadly my album is full of five/six-minute prog-pop opuses that refuse to be confined to one bit of plastic. It turns out that making double LPs is quite expensive. Rubbish.
I am sad about this. I’m sorry if you’re sad too.
Luke
‘New Season’ Reviews
Reviews of New Season have started to trickle in from some blogs. Here are a few excerpts:
“…Luke Leighfield is definitely the most understated artist out there not to be in the conscience of the mainstream, but his time is coming and rightly so. ‘New Season’ is an album of wonderful power-pop joyfulness and if this album does not bring Leighfield the success he deserves then the music industry is broken beyond repair.”
Read the full review on All Gigs.
“…This album cries out to be listened to. It opens with the very mellow, and aptly title “Slow Down”, but grows to a crescendo of instruments giving a feel of depth. Not to mention the string section on “The One Thing”. Throughout the album is a power and energy underlying the album that you feel could unleash itself. As the album progresses the music becomes more layered and powerful, pausing for reflection along the way with the likes of “Whispering”. Closing the album, “Garda Ta Foy” unleashes that energy, whilst finishing with “Do Not Settle”, which takes you on a lesson of self awareness and discovery.”
Read the full review on Rock Regeneration.
“…Listening to this album I had to take a bit of time in between each track because a lot goes on in the few minutes that he allows for each of his creations and in each of those is intrepid lyricism, vast soundscapes carefully crafted with keys, strings, brass, percussion, power and panache all taking their rightful places.
The momentum steps up whenever the pace threatens to drop for more than a couple of verses but if you like your songs to be powered through then the title track and “Live For More” are where you’re going to be happiest. However, to be dismissive of the more cerebral aspects of his music is like waiting until your tea is cold so you can drink it all at once, rather than opting for slow and meticulous intakes, which is the perfect way to describe the more beautiful parts of this album.”
Read the full review on Outroversion.
There are five days left to pre-order New Season and take advantage of some tasty deals! lukeleighfield.com/preorder
I’m heading to Denmark, Sweden and Norway to play a few solo house shows and cafe gigs at the end of April / start of May. I’ll be stopping at Helen’s house and she was kind enough to write a little preview blog about it!
If you’re interested in booking me for a “wild” Scandinavian living room show, just drop me an email - luke (at) lukeleighfield.com
I’ll be driving through Belgium / Holland / Germany en route, so if you’re interested in booking me for a house show in those places, then send me an email for those too!
Seasons
Duncan, Tom and I can’t quite believe that over 800 people have watched Seasons in the past five days. Thank you! It means a lot. Thank you for all the kind comments on Facebook and Twitter, and for sharing it with your friends. Thanks.
In case you haven’t seen it yet, it’s posted above. Or you can watch it on the Seasons mini-site (there’s more info there) - lukeleighfield.com/seasons
P.S. There’s just six days left to pre-order my new album at lukeleighfield.com/preorder
P.P.S. I’m off on tour in the UK with my eight-piece band in just over two weeks! The dates are on Facebook. See you there?
William James, quoted in Dale Carnegie’s ‘How to Win Friends and Influence People’. (Taken with instagram)
Seasons
Seasons, the film about the making of my new album, is live! Watch it here: lukeleighfield.com/seasons.
Enjoy!
Luke
Come rain or shine, 88-year-old Bermudian Johnny Barnes devotes six hours every day to an endearing traffic ritual that has made him one of the island’s most cherished citizens.
This is amazing!
Source: teaim
Seasons premiere tomorrow!
Seasons, the film about the making of my new album, will be premiered tomorrow night at 8pm (GMT)!
Check out the trailer above and head over to lukeleighfield.com/seasons tomorrow night for the premiere (feel free to join me in wearing a tux/dress and laying out a miniature red carpet by your computer).
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