Lots of brand new experiences this week, all born of an old song; I wrote ‘Dreams’ when I was 19.
I think – in fact I know, I would have been distraught if someone had told me back then that I wouldn’t officially release Dreams, or any song for that matter, for seven years. It’s baffling to me now writing it.
I tried other things in that time, film school most significantly, but nothing ever stuck around like music did. It just wasn’t until this last year or so that I felt confident enough to release something. I’m not exactly sure why. I thought I had to do it all by myself for years – that’s what being a solo artist meant of course. Something to prove? Definitely. Alas, I am not a musical genius by any stretch, but that doesn’t bother me anymore. Perhaps because I am now old and wise. Gandalf-esque.
I haven’t been idle however. Some of you reading this might have seen me play a show or two (or a hundred, sorry Mum) around Weston and the South-West, in a variety of bands and formats. It’s been a real pleasure, and a childhood ambition of mine, to perform music in front of audiences week after week. But my primary goal has always been to write, record and share my own material to as many people as possible, and to that end I’ve been falling short. So it’s pretty surreal that this week I’ll finally start making that, ‘ahem’, dream a reality.
I am very lucky to have the support network I have. My close friends and family have always encouraged me to pursue music, even as I’ve hemmed and hawed. I have made more empty promises and seen more deadlines fly by than I care to mention. But it’s happening now, this Friday. In fact an early preview just aired on the radio whilst typing this post out, thanks to Ken Lintern and the good people over at Wave Community Radio.
A small part of me regrets that it took so long, but most of me is elated that it’s happening at all. I can’t wait for everyone to hear it, and for what could follow.
p.s. the photo at the start of this post was taken by my talented brother Doug. He’s got his own website if you want to see more photos, thankfully not all of me.