The Next Record: 10 (More) FAQs
Now that 2016′s in full swing, and now that y’all are again asking (oh so sweetly), “hey, we want to hear this next album, what’s the fucking deal” it’s time for another 10 FAQs!
1) What’s the deal?
WHAT’S YOUR DEAL, SHUT UP, YOU’RE NOT MY MOM.
2) Seriously, when’s the album coming out?
TBD. I know that’s not satisfying, but does it help to know it’s not satisfying for me, either?
3) What’s the holdup?
The album’s 100% done. I’ve released everything by myself in the past. I’m getting a team around this album. The good news is that process has been going well. The bad news is that it takes time. It’s hard, because I’m impatient, but this album is very important to me. It matters more that it comes out right than that it comes out now.
4) What do you mean, “team”?
UNSEXY BUSINESS ALERT. Think about your favorite album of 2015. Most likely, it came out with some team: a label, marketing/distribution budget, a PR campaign, heavy touring, radio promotion, licensing, et al. Months of planning and spending might’ve gone into its release day, much less everything that came after.
Now: I’m a 100% independent artist. I’m currently talking to folks in the industry who are interested in the record & trying to find the right team to put around the album. And it’s not about just finding a team; it’s about finding the right one.
I’ll say this: music is (thankfully) my day job. But the reality is that, today, I’m a DIY indie. That means (like most musicians) I’m working a handful of extra jobs to save up for all those extra release-related plans. I’m optimistic that (soon) this album will have a great team around it and that I won’t have to do everything myself. But I’m also not going to wait for someone else to pick up the check.
My plan is to work my ass off and put out what I can when I can. I promise the minute I have any release dates, you’ll know. I hope it’ll be worth the wait.
5) How about another single?
YES! That I can do. While the album’s plans and timetable firm up, nothing’s stopping me from sharing more songs with y’all.
A new single will come out late this spring. Maybe another in the fall. Maybe even a music video. Tons of touring this summer & fall. I’ll keep the music coming while the album’s in the queue, promise.
6) What’s the album title?
Kids These Days. There’s also a song called “Kids These Days,” which is a neat coincidence.
7) How many songs are on it?
Twelve.
8) What does the album sound like?
If you’ve heard its first single, “Autumn,” that’s a pretty good first impression.
9) What’s it sound like, Part 2?
You’re weirdly serialized, Interviewer In My Head. I tweeted recently that this album is for fans of:
Simon & Garfunkel’s Bookends
REM’s Automatic For the People
Chris Bell’s I Am the Cosmos
Delayed gratification
10) How’s it going?
SXSW is next week, so pretty good. How’re you?
XO,
CM