I Don't Believe You....need to read this to buy it!

Greg Holden....new album....immense....go buy it online NOW!

No really, I don't even need to say much here!

OK still not convinced?!? well then you're just being a bit slow on the uptake so here's a brief summary about the album.

It's an album part funded by a kickstarter campaign Greg ran last year which raised him $30,001 (some $10,001 more than he hoped to get). In total over 300 fans, friends and family members (including me) pledged money to help make this album a reality and to enable Greg to work with the team he wanted including the incredible Tony Berg (who produced the album).



This 10 song affair is one of utter brilliance mixing well crafted songs with sensationally catchy music and innovative mixes. It's the fact that it sounds so much bigger, bolder and experimental than any previous Greg Holden that makes it almost unrecognisable...apart from the fact that it is Greg's unmistakable voice booming out across the record.

There's some truly remarkable tracks. From a song writing perspective, The American Dream (which makes me think Johnny Cash a little for some reason) and Following Footsteps stand out a mile and from a musical perspective, Coney Island is just incredible (with the most mindblowing solo from Jessica Hoop).

I'm quite sure this album will prove a massive success for Greg and if he chooses to release To Hell and Back as a single, then it might just send him stellar such is the brilliance of the song and its suitability for radio play.

The one thing I hope this album isn't remember as is "that one with Bar On A on it". This album is so much more than that one song which truth be told, even I'm sick to the back teeth of hearing and playing (on my guitar)...and I mean it in the nicest possible way.

In my opinion, it's undoubtedly one of THE albums of the year and I'd strongly suggest you go and buy it rather than do something naughty because remember folks, supporting independent musicians is vital and them records you love...well the money for them it don't grow on trees!

Go buy it!

A note to music fans in the US...

Yes, that means you! Tomorrow is a landmark day and well, I want you all, regardless of how tough times are, to try and find enough money to hit the iTunes store and go and buy my friend Greg Holden's new EP Sing For The City. There's no excuse actually, so if you've seen him touring recently with Ingrid Michaelson or you're a fan or you don't know who he is but you're just a music fan, go do it.

Not only will you have more enjoyment than I can possibly explain but you'll help a brilliantly talented artist continue to live his dreams and show him how loved he and his music are.

Due to some oddness again from the iTunes store (that's twice now - 1 more time and I will have words), those of you (like me) in Europe will have to wait just that bit longer for it to hit our shores and stores but Greg's on the case and he'll sort it as soon as he can...

That's it USA, make sure you put it in your diaries, September 22nd....ie tomorrow...if you do one thing, make that purchase on the iTunes store.

So much to say, so little space / Bon Voyage Greg Holden...

It seems ages since I last posted, in reality it's been what, a couple of days. I have so much to say in fact enough for about 3 or 4 blog posts so I'm going to eek it all out over the next 4 days, so stay tuned for some interesting subjects.

I guess I'll start with the most time critical and talk about Saturday night's gig at the Luminaire, Greg Holden's farewell show before travelling off to the US for a year in search of his dream, even more fame and fortune, which I might add...he'll get in abundance.

The gig itself was a youtube thing as part of the Summer In The City event that's been happening here in London over the weekend. So Greg was I think the second or third act of the evening which included another youtube success story Blue Skies. Greg's set whilst not containing surprises, was fun and somehow fresh and brilliant. The most mindblowing thing was seeing so many people singing along to Bar On A, Art of Falling - which wowed Greg and I guess those of us who have been at some of the shows over the summer, and it shows just how far he's come in such a short space of time and just how much attention he's starting to draw to himself and his music. It was a great gig filled with a tinge, just a tiny bit of sadness that it was Greg's last in the UK for a long time but filled with happiness that he was sent on his travels with such an awesome memory of the summer.

All the videos are up on my youtube channel, which you can also access from the side bar (----> thatta way).

So Greg's now off to tour with Ingrid Michaelson in the US for a month or two playing some amazing venues in front of big crowds each night and well, his musical journey is about to get all the richer (not just financially). He's got a new EP about to hit the shelves next month so it really is a great time for Greg. The UK is a poorer place musically without him but he'll return next year, if not sooner an even greater musician than he leaves.

Right then, that's part 1 done, more to follow either later tonight...or more likely tomorrow :-)

xx

Major breakthrough's and minor miracles

The title of my forthcoming album...I think not!!! You'll never see one of those from me... on the basis that some things are best left to those with real talent.

Anyhoo (I've always wanted to say that out loud and never done it)...I've owned a guitar for 8 months and been trying to teach myself how to play it. I go through frustrating parts where I feel like giving it up but then I have little breakthroughs which make me want to keep working at it.

The first was when I learnt properly how to play my first song, Walkaways (not the official video but I just found this and it's really cool) by Counting Crows from Recovering the Satellites, which is a short song with quite repetitive chords but something I've really struggled with is singing albeit badly with the guitar. I've found the concept of this totally alien to the point I actually almost gave up.

Early in June I was lucky to grab an hour or so with Greg Holden after his gig at Monkey Chews and over a few beers I said to him that I tried to sing and play and simply couldn't and I was so shocked to learn he couldn't either for the first 6 months. It made me feel a little less retarded, even if he was bending the truth to make me feel normal, which is possible.

So wind the clock forward a month and I've been trying to master his song Bar On A. I've got the chorus sorted and I play the bridge from the chorus into the verses brilliantly (IMHO) although I find the chords in the verses quite tricky at the moment. But there I was playing the chorus and all of a sudden bang, I started singing and it worked, to the point I did it again, and again and again....significant breakthrough, even if it's a tiny part of the song....it's still a result.

Anyways that's not a review of anything but my lack of talent, and perhaps a bit self-indulgent but I just felt it needed sharing with the world...oh and no I won't be youtubing or making a CD so please no requests...it would make you very very unwell.