Graham Colton would like to rock.
But to do that he needs your help.
He doesn’t need song ideas, lyrics or even musicians. The guy who has signed to a label when he was 19 and has released 11 records/EP’s and has been on Ellen, David Letterman, Jay Leno, The Today Show and has had his music featured on American Idol and Castle knows what he’s doing.
But he’s making a new record and would like to give his fans a new sound while he tries to expand his fan base.
What Colton needs your help with is to support his Kickstarter Campaign so he can record, produce and release a new record.
“The new record won’t be a singer songwriter album. I kind of want to rock again. It’s been really nice to put the acoustic guitar down and work on stuff where the band is in the room and the amps are going,” Colton said. “What we have now is stuff we’ve captured before the lyrics or melodies. It’s just sort of us making sounds. We may say ‘oh that sounds like a verse and that sounds like a chorus.’ So it’s definitely going to be a big step forward and an experiment and I’m really excited about it.”
Did Graham Colton just say he’s putting down the acoustic guitar?
Around the world, 10,000 of his Twitter followers just let out a cry — real tears and everything.
But, but, but, he’s just so good with the acoustic guitar.
Relax. Remember, “All the world Tonight,” and “Sending a Note,” are from Drive, the record released as the Graham Colton Band.
“I hope it’s finished by May,” Colton said. “To be honest, the big question is when I want to put it out. The bar is set high for me. I want this album to re-inspire my existing fan base and I want to reach new people.”
Colton is coming off the success of the critically acclaimed Pacific Coast Eyes that was released in April of 2011, his first full length independent release which reached the top of the iTunes singer songwriter chart and spawned Pacific Coast Eyes Volume 2, adding three new songs and three bonus tracks.
The new record is not going to be Pacific Coast Eyes 3. Colton is changing.
“I’m 31 now. I’m not the same guy I was in 2007. I don’t do the same things; I don’t talk about the same things. I believe different things and I need to keep pushing the envelope,” he said. “It’s got to be different. I want the show to be different. When I come to town, I want people to recognize the new sound and a new theme on stage.”
So far Colton’s fans are onboard. He has had little trouble getting support for his Kickstarter campaign that he launched on February 11 and after one week he had reached two thirds of this goal of $15K.
The rapid response surprised Colton and humbled him at the same time.
“The funny part about the whole process is I thought I would recognize a lot of the names which is crazy, who have donated,” he said. “I’ve made a lot of friends in different cities through my touring and I call them friends because they really are my friends. A lot of these names I don’t really recognize which is really cool.”
Considering Colton’s devotion to touring and the interaction he has with those who follow him, he shouldn’t be surprised that his Kickstarter Campaign got a kick start.
He’s offering a download of his “Best of 2012 Acoustic Tour” to anyone who donates $10. Other options vary in price and include the chance to Skype into the recording session, or attend an OKC Thunder game with Colton or have your own private acoustic performance. A complete list can be found here.
“The one thing I try to do and it’s a little harder on Twitter, but on Facebook I answer every message. Most of my posts or Tweets are responsive. If people are going to take time to say hello or ask about a song. I’m going to answer them,” Colton said. “I feel like that’s how you make real fans and friends and you have longevity in that your honest with people.”
Independent artists have to explore all avenues to try to get the word out on their work since they don’t have the financial backing of a record label that can help secure a spot on the radio and in essence buy a Grammy Award.
Colton was very candid about last week’s Grammy Awards.
“I liked Goyte’s speech and how it recognized how many amazing musicians and albums aren’t recognized by the Grammys, which is so true now days. It’s amazing how much great music is out there and available that’s not ever heard,” Colton said. “There are 100’s of albums and artists that are out there that in my opinion are vastly better than the ones they are recognizing. I’m not saying they are mine because mine don’t deserve to be in that category yet. You wonder if the Grammys can find a way to recognize these artists.”
The Grammy’s have done a good job ignoring those talented artists who don’t have the financial backing of a label. Even newcomers like The Lumineers and Mumford and Sons weren’t honored until they were all over the radio.
“It’s almost like they should take a page out of the Oscar book. They have categories where no one has heard of these films and they are not only nominated, but they win,” Colton said. “The last thing I want to seem is cynical, because I’m truly not but the Grammys just might as well be called the radio awards, the top 40 awards. If that’s what the Oscars were about, it would be a completely different thing.”
As an independent artist, Colton isn’t likely going to be a radio regular but that won’t stop him from continuing to win over fans with live shows that are personable and don’t have prerecorded tracks for him to sing along to. Colton’s fans have just a few weeks left to catch him live. He is currently on a brief tour with Tyrone Wells on some west coast dates before he takes a break in March to return home to Oklahoma where he will continue work on his new record.
When the record is released Colton said he plans on touring with a band to support the new record a new sound.
The success of his Kickstarter Campaign can only mean one thing: For those about to rock – we salute you.
