Gregory Douglass • New Album Coming

When it comes to Gregory Douglass and his music, no one could say I've been in the closet at all. I am a big fan, just loving it all. So when I heard Gregory was starting a Kickstarter campaign to garner crowdfunding for a new album, I knew I would be on board. After all, I have loved every one of his releases to date, always eager to devour his music as soon as I can.

I think I first came across his music in late 2005 or early 2006, when I came across the music video for "Upside Down", a track off the 2005 album, 'Stark'. There is a wonderful layered feel to the song, and Gregory's vocals add even greater depth to the song. It strikes me that even now, nine years after the release of the song, it still speaks to me, and sounds like something I'd want to hear on my radio. This is the official music video for "Upside Down" by Gregory Douglass'.

It might come as no surprise to anyone who knows me, but once I discovered his music, I needed to find and purchase Gregory's earlier music. And I was delighted yet embarrassed to discover there were several albums I had missed out on. Four, in fact. And there were more to come. I was particularly fond of the 2008 release, the moody 'Battler'. I had several favorites off that album, like "Broken Through", "Ordinary Man" featuring Grace Potter, and "Cathedrals". In fact, the latter was the first single, and had the official music video. It captures the textured and nuanced performance beautifully, and reminds me why I love the entire album. This is the official music video for "Cathedrals".

The following year, Gregory released a series of singles, all familiar songs written by other artists. This was his 'Cover Art' series, and it was a delightful discovery for me. Gregory took on Katy Perry, Adele, and Britney Spears, among others. One of those 'others' was Florence + the Machine, when he delivered a sensational performance on their huge hit, "Dog Days Are Over". His rendition of the powerful song was one of the last in this series, but certainly not the least. It delivered on the strength and vibrance the song needs. The music video also featured art done by Gregory's husband, artist Glenn Nadeau. This is Gregory with "Dog Days Are Over".

Gregory's most recent single was "The Great Wide", a song he put out in September of 2012. The song is a return to the introspective material I have come to expect from Gregory, with colors of light and dark punctuated by his exquisite vocals. I really love this song, and and pleased to share it with you. This is "The Great Wide" by Gregory Douglass.

As I mentioned at the beginning of the post, Gregory has started a Kickstarter campaign, and if you enjoyed the music here, I invite you to check it out. On the page, you will find a detailed business plan for the money raised over the next month, and how he would spend the money. As is the case with these things, there are many different levels of donations and rewards. It isn't really a donation, for it is more like an investment. You will receive a reward for your money, from a download of the new album before the public release, to autographed albums, to private online shows, and so much more. Visit the Kickstarter campaign to see what Gregory can offer you. To learn more about Gregory Douglass, visit his official website. You can also 'follow' him on Twitter, and 'like' him on Facebook.

Josh Zuckerman • Cause I'm Gone

Rocker Josh Zuckerman has released a great new music video, featuring his new single, "Cause I'm Gone". You can tell from the hard cuts of the opening riffs the song means business, and Josh delivers on that promise. With a chorus of "You warm me up, but you bring me down," sets the mood for the song, showing not every break up is a bad thing. Sometimes, you just need to get out from under the shadow of a relationship to see you just might prefer living in the light, rather than in the dark. This is Josh Zuckerman singing "Cause I'm Gone".

It was also great to see the areas of New York Josh taped in,from Washington Square Park to The Stonewall Inn. You can purchase "Cause I'm Gone" on iTunes and CD Baby. To learn more about Josh Zuckerman, visit his official website. You can also 'like' him on Facebook and 'follow' him on Twitter. "Cause I'm Gone" will be featured on the album 'Background Static of Perpetual Discontent'. Josh is working on it now, and could use your help to make sure it is up to the standards of the first three of Zuckerman's full-length albums. You can be a part of his fundraising campaign on Indie-Go-Go, and qualify for perks like a wristband and a download of the single "The Turnaround", to an autograph copy of all Josh's releases, to a phone call from the man himself. Visit Josh's Indie-Go-Go page and see what he has to offer. You can't go wrong supporting a great artist like Josh!

Brendan Maclean • Winner Music Video

If you put Freddie Mercury's freeze-dried genetic material into a delicious Cherry Popsicle, and let Brendan Maclean use it for a microphone in front of a mirror in his bedroom, you'd be listening to Brendan's new single, "Winner". Big, bold and bodacious isn't just a description of Texas hair, at least not any more. It also captures the song and music video for "Winner", the first release off the new album from Australian Maclean, who had used crowdfunding to produce his next release. It proves to his donors that is was money well-spent, with a great song and fantastic music video, directed by Brian Fairbairn and Karl Eccleston.

I can honestly say watching this music video made me even more excited about the upcoming release, and I was already pretty excited! Brendan manages to make music that is bold and surprising, never taking the safe route. You can purchase music by Brendan Maclean on iTunes or Bandcamp. To learn more about Brendan Maclean, 'follow' him on Twitter, or 'like' him on Facebook.

David Raleigh Kickstarts Work On A Definitive Album

I am proud to say I am a big fan of David Raleigh. Now, anyone who has paid attention to my posts would know that was not breaking news, for I've shared his music over the last couple of years. In fact, it's been a little more than two years since I traveled to New York City to see and hear David and his friend/producer Nathan Leigh Jones perform at Joe's Pub. And it has been almost three years since the singer was featured on the blog for the first time, with the music video for 'That's What Friends Are For', which also featured recent Tony-winner Billy Porter, Sir Ari Gold, and Emmy-nominated Alan Cumming, all interested in raising funds for the Ali Forney Center, a New York City shelter for homeless GLBT youth. There was so much talent on this project, and it introduced me to some talented I didn't really know before, always a great thing.

When David recently announced he would be heading back in the studio to work on a new album, I got excited. And when he announced the Kickstarter page, to begin a crowdfunding campaign, you better believe I wanted to be a part of it. You see, I am the type of guy who wants people making music I love to keep it going. And David certainly falls into that category. Now that I have made my pledge, I was able to bring my mind back to the blog, and had to chance to ask a few questions of the singer/songwriter, which I am thrilled to be sharing with you now. First, I wanted to know how David decided to take a swim in the Crowdfunding pool? "Am I swimming?! Yay," he exclaimed! "Well, I was in the studio with my producer, Nathan Leigh Jones, working on the tunes for this next album. We were sitting around shootin' the shit, and the question of how the album would be financed came up. (As unfortunately it always does) Nathan brought up the idea of using Kickstarter. I had heard of artists having success on various crowdfunding sites and had been intrigued by the idea, but had never actually thought of using one myself. But I looked into it and and researched a few of them. Kickstarter won me over. I loved the platform, it's 'reward' concept seemed fun and engaging. So I decided to jump in head first! I hope that a few of your readers will jump in the pool with me too! The water's warm!." I am always interested in how an artist sees and hears their own music, so I wanted to know how David would define his own music. "Funny that you ask that question," he answered with a smile. "Well, actually NOT funny, but you know what I mean. People always ask me that and I'm always hesitant to answer. I feel as a lot of artists do that my music isn't always easy to define. I like all different kinds of styles and want to be able to explore everything. It's a dilemma! Ha Ha! But when pressed, I like to say that my music is pretty much a cocktail (and who doesn't like COCKTAILS!) A generous pour of R&B mixed with a dash of Jazz, poured into a large, chilled pop/rock ice filled glass with a floater of Cabaret on top. YUM! Uh-huh, don't be shy, you know you want some!" His piano-driven songs are definitely a mix of styles, a wonderful melange of influences. You can see how well this works in this clip from last year of David singing "I Do", off his album 'Beginning Again'.

On his Kickstarter page, David talks about the budget for the album, and that would include costs to record in Australia. While I know David shares time between New York and Australia, I wanted to know why in Australia? "I split my recording between New York and Sydney," he remarked. "I've been working and collaborating with my producer for five years now and he happens to live and work between Sydney and New York, so with the bi-continental studio and engineering connections that he has, and the bi-continental musical connections we both have it just makes sense to create and record in both cities. I think it really gives the project a rare depth that we are lucky to experience as a part of our lives." So I dying to know if the different homes inspired him musically? "I would say not really, but I don't know if that would be entirely truthful," he admitted. "I LOVE NYC. It's in my blood and I feel it's who I am as a person. I'm inspired and juvenated by it, even when I'm not in it. The way I act, live, respond, create and perform is the embodiment of being a New Yorker. That being said, I feel as a writer, I'm at my most creative when I'm in Australia. Specifically Sydney. I LOVE that city as well. It's my "safe place" my haven. Every breath I breathe there is nourishing and inspiring. So even though I don't think the two countries, or cities inspire "different" music, I approach writing differently in each city because of the different forms of inspiration they give me."

Now, I was intrigued, and wanted to know if there is a difference between playing shows in New York City and in Sydney? "Well one fantastic benefit of touring as a musician from New York City is that everyone loves New York City. In theory if not in actuality," he said with a smile. "My experience is that Australians more so than most are hugely influenced creatively and artistically by America. Vegas, LA, and NYC being at the top of their "favorites" list. I love that my style, my music and my story are unique and a bit exotic to them and It brings me happiness to share my music with them, because I know that deep down inside it highlights the similarities and "oneness" that we all have with each other."

On his Kickstarter page, David talks about wanting to make a 'definitive' album. So I couldn't resist asking him what albums by other artists would he would call definitive? "Ha! Another good question, H," he said, once again offering that trademark smile. "Well, I'm attracted to and highly influenced by the pop/rock and singer/songwriters of the 70's so I would have to say MY biggest "definitive" album influences are Carole King's 'Tapestry', Stevie Wonder's 'Songs in the Key of Life', 'Hotel California' by The Eagles, The Roberta Flack and Donny Hathaway album, and 'Escape' by Journey. There are tons more that moved me and some were even recorded in the 80's and 90's! Ha! Michael Jackson's 'Thriller' and Prince's 'Purple Rain', Maxwell's 'Urban Suite', Erykah Badu's 'Baduizm', and Pearl Jam's 'Ten' to name a few. I'm a sucker for emotional singers." Well, I can certainly identify with that!

There are two weeks left for you to join in the crowdfunding campaign! You can find David on Kickstarter, which closes out on August 15, 2013. Once on the page, you can see the pledge levels, from $5 to $10,000. There are plenty of rewards for those pledges, from personalized thank yous, to the chance to hear the album before anyone else, and give it a name! For more about David Raleigh, visit his official website. You can also 'follow' him on Twitter, and 'like' him on Facebook. I know he'd love to hear from you, and to say "hello". You can find his last album, 'Beginning Again', on iTunes and Amazon.