NOTE: To pre-order the CDs, you need to click "Select Reward" at the level you want to pay. Some people have let us know they forgot to do this! The total no of CDs available has therefore been adjusted accordingly.
The campaign will continue while there are still CD packs available.
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In early 2020 I headed to Tucson, Arizona to record my new album, Sinner’s Shrine with the amazing musicians from Calexico (including the mighty Joey Burns and John Convertino), at the iconic WaveLab Studios. It was an incredible experience and I’m over the moon with the results. The album is still in the final stages of being prepped for release, with everything taking longer due to the COVID 19 restrictions, but it’s on course for release in late summer 2021.
Meanwhile, I’ve been continuing to work long distance with John and Joey, and some of the musicians I’ve met through my Calexico connections, including Naim Amor (guitar), Tom Hagerman (strings) and Calexico’s very own Martin Wenk (trumpet) - and now have so many additional songs (including some from the original recording session in Tucson that there wasn't space for on the album) that I’m going to release a really special limited edition of 3 CDs - 4-track EPs – The Desert Trilogy.
The songs are infused with inspiration from the great Southwest. From the Mojave and Sonoran deserts and the US/Mexican border. There are stories of love, lust, sinners and saints, the displaced, the wanderers and the border ghosts. Tales of darkness and light, disappointments and hope.
As these will be self released, I need to raise funds for manufacturing and marketing (including artwork, PR, videos, photos, merch etc). Due to COVID19 all my planned tour dates were cancelled in March 2020, which as a full time professional musician means that my income has taken a hammering. Your pre-ordering is vital to bring this music into the world.
The EPs are scheduled for release in Mar, May and Jul 2021. They’ll be available generally as downloads, but the CDs are a limited release and I want to offer you the chance to get in at the beginning! Each one will be in a 4 panel digifile (CD with a gatefold sleeve, with inside pocket) with artwork by James Morrison (who did the covers for The Man From Leith, Southern Wind and New York Hummingbird).
You can pre-order as individual CDs, or order all 3 together in a very limited edition presentation package, with a specially designed box/folder. There are some special extras available too. All backers will get their copies in advance of the official release dates – and if you go for the box set that means several MONTHS in advance!
You can listen to New Mexico (1st single release from EPs (and Sinner's Shrine)) here:
Each EP has 1 track from Sinner’s Shrine, and 3 exclusives.
Desert Trilogy EP 1 – The Burning Heart
1. New Mexico
2. Here Comes Paul Newman
3. Riverline
4. Tombstone Rose
Desert Trilogy EP 2 – Sand And Blood
1. Land Of The Hummingbird (ft Gaby Moreno)
2. Dolina
3. Ashes & Dust
4. She Was A Raven
Desert Trilogy EP 3 - Ghosts
1. The Hopeless Ghosts (ft Grant Lee Phillips)
2. Mother Road
3. Even When I'm Gone
4. The End
RISK ASSESSMENT
This project is about as safe as it gets these days! The tracks are all recorded, mixed and mastered, and ready to go to the manufacturer. The artwork is almost done (as you can see above). The manufacturer is UK based, and the pressing plant is in UK as well. The Royal Mail is regarded as an "essential service" and the posties have been working throughout the pandemic. Worst case scenario at this point is that deliveries might take a little longer than usual, but we have a lot of time built into the schedule.