August 2022 - Happenings

This month…Three Evenings release day, a free tune, some recommendations, and what’s next.

Release Day!

It’s here! The official release day for Three Evenings is Friday, August 5th. This is the day the album will go live on all streaming platforms. If you use streaming services, please consider pre-saving the album. It definitely helps artists when it comes to all of those crazy algorithms.

I began the CD pre-sale on July 22nd, and I have been overwhelmed by the outpouring of support for the music. I mailed out approximately one hundred CDs in the first week. Thank you to everyone who purchased a CD & download, and for helping to spread the word!

I have also sent out a bunch of TABs. The entire album is notated, so if you are interested, you can purchase TABs for the entire album, or for individual songs.

CDs, Downloads, and TABs

Free Tune

This month’s free tune comes from the new album. Skyline Drive is a piece that I dedicated to my friend John Sheehan. I wrote about John’s influence on my writing & playing back in June’s newsletter.

When I was studying with John, I would drive over Skyline Drive into Ringwood and then along the Wanaque Reservoir…it’s a beautiful drive. Along with playing Mississippi John Hurt and John Fahey tunes, we would often go fishing on Cupsaw lake…and then talk about music while we waited for the bass to bite. I tried to capture these fond memories in the music.

Don’t forget to check out John’s music if you haven’t already done so! If you live in North Jersey, try and catch John live.

Skyline Drive - Download

Skyline Drive - TABs

Recommendations

I am starting to write curriculum for a music history class that I will begin teaching in September. This requires me to dive back into the bible of music history, Norton's - A History of Western Music, but I also came across this wonderful little book, Music - A Short Introduction by Nicholas Cook.

This very short book (133 pages) examines the global, cultural, and social dimensions of music, the human practice of music, and how we "think in music". It is a very interesting read.

I just came across singer/songwriter Katie Spencer last week and I am hooked. She is an incredible guitarist, and a wonderful songwriter. Definitely check out her work!

Katie Spencer

Katie Spencer - Apple Music

Katie Spencer - Spotify

Speaking of singer/songwriters...you should check out Paul Nelson. I met Paul a few years ago when he visited Imaginary Road Studios during the recording of Good Light to Go By. At that time, he had just released his record Over Under Through...which he also recorded with Tom Eaton.

Check out Paul's work. It's absolutely fantastic.

Paul Nelson

Over Under Through - Apple Music

Over Under Through - Spotify

Ken Verheecke is a composer/guitarist whom I admire very much. He composes some of the most beautiful guitar music out there. Although we have never met, we have virtually met via the circle of Imaginary Roads artists. Sit back, relax, and give Ken's work a listen.

Ken Verheecke

Ken Verheecke - Spotify

Ken Verheecke - Apple Music

What's Next?

My next project is writing Volume 2 of Ten Studies for Classical Guitar. Volume 1 was published by Guitar Chamber Music Press earlier this year.

I have a suite for marimba & vibraphone for one player that only needs a final movement to be finished. Once it is complete I will try to have it performed and possibly recorded.

When school starts up, I will be writing a lot of ensemble music again. I am going to try and publish some of these pieces in the coming year.

I'd love to do some collaborations. Interested? Let me know!

That's all for now. Thank you again for your continued support and kind words. Writing and playing music makes for a wonderful life, but when you know that that music speaks to people...it's even better.

Enjoy August! Cheers...

Vin

| Vin Downes