"Press Release"

It began as a game. Twenty-four index cards with twenty-four things that I felt I could write about and wanted to write about. Day after day, I drew from the deck and a new set of lyrics would hit the paper of a small brown notebook that my mother gave me. For the first time, every single song came out effortlessly.

After a while, I broke the rules I had made for myself. I was no longer waiting until a song was done before moving onto the next. I just got back to what I did best; telling stories and making music. It then became twenty-four index cards, a demo, and a black notebook of unfinished ideas.

One of the many definitions of the word 'draw' is to take from a source. I have been using the cards, demo, and notebook as my sources to create something that felt complete. A drawing if you will. This is where I got the name for the album. With that, I am pleased to reveal to you today, the cover art for my upcoming full length album, Draw.

I took this picture one day from my parents bedroom. By pure luck the sunlight hit through the curtains just right to create the effect showing here. After posting it on Instagram, my friend Jeremy said the most interesting thing.

"This should be the album cover."

Before that moment, I must have had ten million cliche ideas about what the cover art should look like. One of them was very Yu-Gi-Oh-esque. I'm a nerd like that. 

Looking at this, however, I was starting to think that he was right. This picture may have had nothing to do with the album's title, but just like the songs I have created, the picture was effortless. I wasn't thinking about anything or trying to get the right shot. No rules or restrictions. Just me staring into space for less than three seconds. The font you see in my handwriting, written by my finger via picture app.

That's right friends. While most musicians spend tens of thousands of dollars on photo shoots, I made this on my iPhone.

My house will soon transform into a recording studio. All the tools I need to make this record are at my finger tips. I can't promise the best album ever, but I can promise this. This is the best music I've written so far. Creating this work has made me the happiest I've been in a long time. I can only hope that you will enjoy it too. 

Lessthanthree,

Doug

PS: Be on the look out for the album's first single and opening track, "It Ends Tonight".

Draw - Rules Ammendment #2

We are almost two months into the game guys! Everything is going verrrry well! I can't wait for all of you to hear the new stuff! This update, while short, is super important!

In accordance with the definition of the word "draw", the new rule is as follows. In addition to the topics of the Draw deck, any and all past creations or ideas conceived prior to June 2012 are allowed to be used for the upcoming album if and only if they can be reinvented in such a way that makes them complete.

For example, any or all songs from the Black And White EP are fair game.

Resume play!

Lessthanthree,
Doug

Draw - Rules Ammendment #1

Everyone enjoying Draw? I know I am. The first two cards proved to be quite the challenge. Funny thing about games, however, is that rules can be bent broken and/or changed. I realized that while I made a game that would stretch my imagination and writing ability, it really didn't have any reward or consequence involved in the duration. For that reason, I have added some new rules to the game.

All selections will come from the Draw deck from this point forward. As a reminder, when I select from the Draw deck, I must write about the topic on the card until an original song is completed. After the fourth original song is completed, I may select a song of my choice to perform from the Cover deck. As always, I will not be able to draw again until the cover has been posted online.

Once a card from the Draw deck has been selected, I am not allowed to pass it, get rid of it, or trade it for a new card. If I choose to do so, I am subject to an obligatory two hours of piano practice. These practices will consist of playing major and minor scales in every key as well as learning block and arpeggiated chords. In Layman's terms, I'm allowed to pass....at my own risk.

That should shake things up a bit! Resume play!

Lessthanthree,
Doug

Let The Game Begin

Draw - to sketch (someone or something) in lines or words, to take or be dealt (a card or cards) from the pack, to derive or use, as from a source.

Hard to believe that it's been almost a year since Black And White. I remember going to SubCat Studios and chugging down lemon water because my throat wasn't cooperating. Then again, it probably wasn't the greatest idea to enter the studio two days removed from being sick.

Since that time, I've tried to stay musically active. Playing my guitar and singing every chance I get. Learning to play songs I used to listen to as a kid (I may or may not have learned the Ducktales theme song). I confess, however, that I was frustrated. I couldn't come up with any new songs to write and when I did, they were nowhere near as good as the songs from Black And White. So for the last little while I've been trying to find a way to remedy my writer's block while at the same time making the creating process fun. 

Then it hit me! If music is what I love, and music is what I love, why not turn it into a game?!


Ladies and Gents! I give you....Draw! Here are the rules (or lack thereof)!

I have created two decks of index cards; one labeled "Draw" and one labeled "Cover". The "Draw" deck contains subjects that I would like to write about while the "Cover" deck contains songs that I would like to...well...cover. The deck that I draw from will be determined by dice roll. If the "Draw" deck is selected, I will proceed to write about the topic that is on the card. Only when the song is complete will I be allowed to draw from the decks again. If the "Cover" deck is selected, my assignment will be to cover the song written on the card. I may arrange it anyway I choose but I will not be allowed to draw again until the cover is complete AND uploaded onto the internet via soundcloud.

Sounds easy right? Here's the catch. I have no passes, no skips, and no do overs. I must do what the card says, no matter what.

Now I know what you're thinking. How long does a game like this last? 20 turns? 200 turns? Wrong! This game is going to last for a whole year starting tomorrow. I repeat. One. Whole. Year. At the end of that year, the best creations from the "Draw" deck will be produced, mixed and put on an album. The release date may or may not be revealed at the bottom of this blog (HINT HINT).

This game will test me in every possible way I can be tested. And I am so ready for it. Not only do I feel I will create the best music I have ever done but I will be happy doing what I love. That to me is what most important.

One year. Two decks of cards. Endless possibilities. Starting tomorrow, everything changes. Let the game begin.

Lessthanthree,
Doug

PS: Here's the [low budget] teaser! Start trending!

A Very Special #FF

What I'm about to post here won't fit on twitter. Plus I'm too lazy to sign up for twittlonger. For this #FF shout out, here are a few musicians that you NEED to listen to!

Adam Lee - One of my closest twitter friends and in my opinion, one of the best guitarists in the world today. Did I mention he's a huge Michael Jackson and Whitney Houston fan?

Twitter - @AdamLeeGuitar

YouTube - http://www.youtube.com/adamleeguitarist

Lisa Somers - Like myself, she also plays originals and covers on YouTube. Also one of my best buddies from Ireland. Show some love for her new original song, "Everything (I Will)"!!

Twitter - @littlelisaabear

YouTube - http://www.youtube.com/user/LisasMoosic

Gavrielle - The reason I got the bravery to turn on my video camera and play music in front of you. Such a beautiful voice and amazing songwriting. Everyone needs to know her name!

Twitter - @gavrielle

Soundcloud - soundcloud.com/gavrielle 

Madilyn Bailey - This artist never disappoints. Her voice makes every song sound absolutely amazing. I strongly recommend the Bad Habit EP!

Twitter - @MadilynBailey

Website - madilynbailey.com

Peter Hollens - It's one thing to perform acapella. It takes great skill to do it solo. This man, I believe, is one of the best guys doing multitrack acapella today. Just listen to everything and you'll be blown away!

Twitter - @PeterHollens

YouTube - youtube.com/peterhollens

Kait Weston - Perhaps I have a soft spot because she's from Upstate New York, but damn it this girl can sing. Her new single, "Last Dance", is absolutely amazing. You're gonna go download it on iTunes right? OF COURSE YOU ARE!

Twitter - @KaitWeston

YouTube - youtube.com/kaitwestonmusic

McKenna Loren - Recently nominated by the Artists in Music Awards for Best Country Artist. For good reason too! She is truly an amazing talent! Check out the new single, "It's Been So Long".

Twitter - @McKennaLoren
Website - mckennaloren.com

If you wanna hear some awesome, talented people, go show some love to these musicians. All of them are rockstars!

Lessthanthree,

Doug

A Dog Chasing Cars

When I auditioned for The Voice, I read the rules from cover to cover two days before the audition. A word was being used in the reading and the audition itself. That word was "identity". It doesn't matter how talented or decorated you are as an artist. You need to present yourself in a way that defines you. One of my mistakes at the audition is that I didn't quite understand what my musical identity was. For that reason, I have been spending the last little while searching for it. Tonight, I have come to an answer.

It's not "who am I as a musician?" It's "who am I as a person?

Heath Ledger said it best. "I'm a dog chasing cars. I wouldn't know what to do with one if I caught it. I just do things." I'm not just a musician. There are so many things I'm into. So many things I'm good at. Musician, gamer, writer, movie buff, Sherlockian, hotel representative, brother, son, and more importantly friend. And I do all of this while following my own beliefs and values. Not once in the past five years have I followed anyone's rules but my own. A free spirit if you will. All the qualities of a rockstar.

Normally, one would associate that term with a famous person. More specifically, a musically gifted, famous person. I say that there's no need to be famous. One who lives for the moment and can find happiness doing so could easily be considered one. Therefore, as of this writing, I no longer consider myself just a musician. I am a guy who lives by his own code and listens to his own advice. A guy who favors music but still tinkers in everything that he wants to get his hands on. Above all, I don't need to be famous. I'm just....me.

A not so well known rockstar making his way in the world.

Lessthanthree,
Doug

I Am [Not] The Voice

I've been telling people that New York was an adventure. In all fairness, that's an understatement. Auditioning for network television is overwhelming. At one point I felt like I was being processed for the Hunger Games. 

ID checks. Bag checks. Metal detectors. Contracts. Follow the people in the red shirts. Make sure you use the bathroom before you get called up. And that was the first five minutes of me arriving.

To be honest, I was a lot less scared than I should have been. Even with all of the other applicants singing their hearts out in the waiting room. And trust me, THESE GUYS WERE GREAT! Even the best of them, however, were not selected to advance. There was actually a guy in my group, who after hearing us sing before him, decided to back out. Dad believes he was fed up with the process. I'm more willing to believe our talents combined shook him (which boosted my already inflated ego).

As I said to most of you already, it was the best no I've ever heard. The producer was a cool guy who really knew his stuff and unlike most judges for these shows, he was very encouraging. Would I go back next year and do it again? In a heartbeat.

I did realize two things after being dismissed. For one, I'm alright with being the "indie guy". It allows me to make music at my own pace and let's me develop an identity. If the journey is anything like this past weekend, I'm stoked for where I may go. 

The other thing I realized is maybe the most important thing. I don't have millions of YouTube views and my name isn't in the tabloids for all the wrong reasons. If you can read this, however, I have you. You guys sent me soooooo much love on Saturday. I can't and never will be able to thank you enough for all of your kind words. From here on in, I don't care if I get famous. As long as I have you, I'm the luckiest dude on the planet. A million times, thank you!!

Lessthanthree,

Doug

I Am The Voice?

My audition is Saturday. Counting my call back pieces, I have five songs prepared for it. How am I feeling?

That's the damndest thing really. I don't know know how to feel. You hear about it all the time. People auditioning/in these reality shows. Some are nervous. Some cry. Some have a flat out panic attack. Actually, if I heard right, 50% of them will lose their shit come their audition.

Me? I'm looking at this through different eyes than everyone else is. I have nothing to lose and everything to gain. On one hand, I impress the producers enough to go on TV. By doing so I not only gain thousands of fans, but I, for better or worse, will be critiqued by four of the best performers in the country, if not the world. On the other, I don't impress them and I go home to Liverpool, New York. If the latter becomes the case, I will not, under any circumstances, be sad about it. Why? Because I got brave.

It takes true bravery as a musician to put yourself out there in front of the masses, be it fifty or fifty thousand people. This Saturday, I am auditioning for the opportunity to show the world the true talent I have. Whether I make it or not, I will have a confidence that I've never had before. The confidence to stand in front of people and be myself for once and sing my heart out.

I can't promise I'll make it. And if I do, I can't promise I'll win the whole thing. Here's what I can promise. I will be brave. I will do my best. I will make you all proud. And win or lose, I will return to Liverpool, New York a better, more confident musician.

Besides, I've never been to NYC. This audition's a good excuse to go on vacation.

Lessthanthree,
Doug

Two Zero One Three

Happy New Year, my gentle snowflakes! Let's have a chat!

2012 was interesting. It wasn't bad by any means. Just interesting. I accomplished a lot more than I thought I was going to. The biggest of which was my EP. Click here if you haven't yet ---> soundcloud.com/dmasonmusic

Gotta love shameless plugs!!

For the most part, however, 2012 was a learning experience. At least the latter part was. For those of you who don't know, around Thanksgiving-ish I started to feel a bit off health wise. I won't get into too many details but let's just say two rounds of antibiotics, four panic attacks, and seven doctor visits later, I'm good as new. During this not so fun experience I learned two things.

1. According to WebMD, the only reason I wasn't legally dead is because I was still eating solid food. DO NOT LOOK UP YOUR SYMPTOMS ON WEBMD!!

2. I am not invincible.

The second lesson is probably the most important one. Twenty six years on this earth and I always believed that I was untouchable. Not just health wise but with everything. Even my music. I had this thought in the back of my head of instant fame, thousands of hits, and standing ovations at all of my shows without fail. The truth is, none of these things are given. They are earned.

So instead of starting 2013 with making all of these resolutions I'll never be able to keep, I'm going to make two promises that I can keep.

1. I'm going to take better care of myself. The internet is not my doctor.

2. Be it The Voice, extra practices, or just plain traveling the world and playing anywhere that will give me a microphone, I will earn my place in the music world.

This is going to be a great year. Five days in and I know that much for sure. The best part? I'm starting off as a new man. Let the fun begin!

Lessthanthree,
Doug