Overall, 2022 has been a year of progress. Little steps. Positive ones. Here’s a snap-shot.
All My Ghosts - released on all streaming platforms
In October I decided to release my album All My Ghosts online, and come the beginning of November 2022 there it was. I’ve got earlier music online in the form of two EP’s, Sirens and Sentinels (2018) and Urbanista (2020).
In the first month All My Ghosts streamed double the amount of all my previous music. Whilst we’re not talking the millions of streams the big stars get, or even the hundreds of thousands other bands get, this is about personal progression and recognising the journey whilst you’re on it.
Since its release online I’ve also seen two songs register 1000+ streams for the first time - ‘House of Fools’ and ‘The Letter’. My monthly listeners is as high as it’s ever been at 58, up from 2 at the end of October.
Streaming figures (Spotify) since 25th January 2023:
All My Ghosts - 9,484
Urbanista - 977
Sirens and Sentinels - 2,605
People have listened in 30 different countries and over 70 different cities.
Get All My Ghosts online - Streaming links here
All My Ghosts - CD and book release
Prior to streaming online, in early May 2022 I released All My Ghosts on CD and with an accompanying book, which includes all the song lyrics and for each song a loosely related short story.
100% of sales revenue goes to Platform 1 crisis mental health charity, based in Huddersfield. Although it hasn’t sold as many copies as I’d have liked, it has generated an amount of money which I’m pleased with and I’ll be making that donation to Platform 1 in Spring 2023.
You can still order a CD and book here - Shop for All My Ghosts
Open-mic nights and live performances
I’ve lost track of the number of open-mic nights and live performances I’ve done this year.
It’s not just the performing live music which has been good, but the number of people you meet along the way. I’ve played Huddersfield, Bradford, Leeds and there are some really good people out there, not only sharing their music but hosting and encouraging new artists. It’s a real community which continues to grow. I’m grateful for this.
Radio plays
I’m also grateful to several local independent radio stations who have played several different tracks multiple times from All My Ghosts, over the past few weeks.
It’s great that there are independent radio stations prepared to dedicate air time to playing new music from unsigned artists.
Platform 1 live music Christmas fundraiser
I wanted to do more fundraising for Platform 1, so between me and a couple of wonderful people, we collectively organised and performed a live music fundraiser. Together with additional support from the team at Platform 1, we pulled off a really successful event, raising just short of £1,000.
As someone who works full time and doesn't have much spare time to give back outside of work and playing music, this was a way to make a contribution to a charity that does so much great work supporting people in real need.
Coming in 2023
As we approach the end of 2022, I’m already planning for next year.
New material - I’m writing and practising new material that I hope to record in February.
New releases - I’ll be taking a look at what new songs I want to release online and get these out in the Spring.
Live performances - I’m hoping to go back and play the Woodstock Music Festival (Alabama) in May, so I will be doing plenty of live performances in the build-up to that.
After that I’ll be looking to do more gigs and hopefully contribute to people having a good night out.
I hope people will continue to share in my journey. I’m grateful to all those who’ve supported me already, and to those who continue to do so.