New Pirate Pub Songs Podcast, Free eBook
Greetings Gunn Runner
When I was at the Falmouth International Sea Shanty Festival, I was struck by how ignorant I was with the many different types of sea shanties. There's long-drag shanties, short-drag shanties, hand over hand, bunt, stamp and go. The list goes on. And from the shanties I know, I can't tell you which is which. There's a whole world of music that I really don't know much about. Even after sailing the skies with Captain Murphy...
I don't know if Pirates vs. Dragons adequately does sailor music justice. This is a concept album. It's a story album, about air pirates and dragon hunting, more than it is about actual sailing. But the songs... I love Rie Sheridan Rose's lyrics. And I love my melodies. I feel like we did an impressive bit of songwriting together. But I guess time will tell just how good it is.
We are just two days away from the official release of Pirates vs. Dragons this Wednesday, July 27th. My goal is to sell 120 copies of the album. To that end, the CD will be 40% off the cover price. Plus, I'll also have a Deluxe Package once you have bought the album through CD Baby. Look for an email on Wednesday morning for more details.
In the meantime if you want to get a free copy Pirates vs. Dragons: The Steampunk Adventure Journal, go to Amazon right now. You can get the eBook at no cost from now until July 29th and read the backstory behind the CD. It's a fun, short read.
To celebrate pirates, there's a new episode of Pirate Pub Songs that's now available with a bunch of awesome, unsavory piratey folks from Renaissance festivals and conventions. As always, it is yours free to listen to and enjoy.
Today, I shot a Q&A on Facebook Live. It was rather well-attended. And I got a bunch of wonderful comments. YOU can hear some live performances of some of the Pirates vs. Dragons songs. Go to my Facebook page to watch.
And JOIN ME this Wednesday at 10am, when I will be back on Facebook Live promoting the CD release and playing a few more songs.
Finally, the International CD Release of Pirates vs. Dragons happens on Concert Window on THURSDAY at 8PM. This is another pay-what-you-want concert. I'll play a whole bunch of songs from the album. Plus, I'll take your requests.
Thank you as always for your awesome support of my music.
Slainte!
Marc Gunn, The Celtfather
July 25, 2016
PS. Would you like another way to support my music?
I heard a rumor the other day that iTunes might stop selling digital music and move entirely towards streaming. That is devastating news for indie musicians like me.
iTunes digital sales is currently the #1 place I earn money online. Physical CD sales are miniscule. That means I'm left earning money from streaming services...
I want to thank my 48 patrons for pledging as little as $1 per month to support my music. Thanks to my newest Patron Ccracer. And a super special thanks to my Platinum Patrons.
As a patron, I send you a monthly bonus podcast of what's new. Last month, I sent a live MP3 concert and shared the original artwork for Pirates vs. Dragons.
Gold+ Patrons even got to see a replay of my Irish Drinking Songs show last month on Concert Window, and they get a digital download of Kilted For Her Pleasure.
If you love my music, then please Become a Patron Today!
SPECIAL NOTE ABOUT MARC GUNN'S NEWSLETTER
Marc Gunn is a rhythm and folk musician inspired by Celtic culture, science fiction, fantasy, and cats. He breathes new life into the autoharp, which continues to surprise musical veterans and fans a like for it’s unique sound and spirited energy. It’s Celtic music, the traditional and the twisted.
Find me at www.marcgunn.com. Read my blog and find my gigs.
Chat with me at Google, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube
#marcsmusings #celtfather
Please add "slainte@marcgunn.com" to your whitelist or email address book, so that you have no trouble receiving future issues!
Name On My Soul Coming to CD
Greetings Gunn Runner
Let me start by welcoming all of the new Gunn Runners who are joining me from GenCon. I had another amazing weekend at the convention. My favorite memory is a toss up between hearing 150 people meow at the Irish Drinking Songs for Cat Lovers show or the whiskey drinking at the Firefly Drinking Songs show. The whole weekend was a blast. I hope you have such fond memories too.
It's been nearly a month since Pirates vs Dragons was released. I want to thank everyone who helped catapult the album to the top of the charts on the world's largest indie music retailer, CD Baby. It is still at the top of their charts. Thanks to you, it climbed as high as #9!
That's incredible. Thank you for supporting this indie musician. You rock!
Your Name On My Soul
I always plan my albums far in advance. Two weeks ago, I did more than plan. I recorded an entire album for Kilted Kings debut CD, Name On My Soul.
Randy Wothke is the driving force behind The Rogues, the bagpipes and drums phenomena that launched a dozen copycat bands. He and I also perform in a duo together at the Louisiana Renaissance Festival. We're called Kilted Kings. It features Randy on percussion and background vocals and me singing and playing the autoharp.
Last year, I described Kilted Kings as the perfect palate cleanser for the sci fi songs I play all year long. The shows aim to be a bit more traditional Celtic-sounding. Well...if you set aside the fact that Randy plays the dumbek and I play the autoharp. There's an awesome mix of Celtic songs, many that I wrote, and some instrumental tunes, that allow me to work lilting into our show.
We had an incredible debut at the faire last year. Patrons loved the show. We had more butts in seats than I think I've ever had at the faire. We played songs like"The Prettiest Hobbit", "Flower of Scotland", "Slainte Mhaith", "Cloghden More", and of course, "Name On My Soul".
Since then, "Name On My Soul" has become my most-requested song. I've had fans email me all year long asking if it's on an album. Sadly, it is not... yet.
However, two weeks ago, Randy drove down from Maryland. We spent three days recording ten tracks with the hope we can release the album in November. The next step is mixing our recordings and raising funds to pay for the production and promotion of the album.
Yes, it's time to launch another Kickstarter.
I confess, I'm a wee bit worried about doing another Kickstarter. After all, I JUST RELEASED Pirates vs. Dragons. I should be giving that album time to breathe. Unfortunately, we only have just over two months until faire starts. So we can't wait...
But we will. We're finishing up the Kickstarter video now. That means, you can look for the new album on Kickstarter next week.
In the meantime, you can sign up to our mailing list to find out when the album is officially released.
Thank you for being you!
Slainte!
Marc Gunn, The Celtfather
August 23, 2016
PS. Louisiana Renaissance Festival was flooded for a second time this year. The water rose to an incredible 27 feet. The faire is need in need of your help if they are gonna open up on time on the first weekend of November. You can find details on how to help and/or make a donation here.
There has never been a better time to become an Official Gunn Runner. That's because membership is now and forever only $1 per month!
At the beginning of the month, I simplified my Patreon account. I did away with all of the different patron levels.
You see, I realized I don't have time to manage 3+ different patron levels. And I hate excluding people. I wanted simple and easy. That's why I was compelled to make this drastic change.
Now as a patron, you'll get everything I share, including: exclusive MP3s, early access to videos, behind the scenes podcasts from the road, mp3 and video concerts, and even a free album.
I'm excited to have 65 patrons who are contributing $348 per month so that I can continue to make a living as a musician. I want to send out a special thanks to Virginia Hagan, Christopher Cornette, Andrea Lucia, Jeff Lane, Schellie Neill, Jen Wallace, Keri Hamlin, Kate Dempsey, Alexis, Elaine Hogendorfer, and Chrysilla. Thank you all for being Patrons of My Music.
Go watch the video and see if you'd like to Become a Patron Today!
SPECIAL NOTE ABOUT MARC GUNN'S NEWSLETTER
Marc Gunn is a rhythm and folk musician inspired by Celtic culture, science fiction, fantasy, and cats. He breathes new life into the autoharp, which continues to surprise musical veterans and fans a like for it’s unique sound and spirited energy. It’s Celtic music, the traditional and the twisted.
Find me at www.marcgunn.com. Read my blog and find my gigs.
Chat with me at Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube
#marcsmusings #celtfather
Please add "slainte@marcgunn.com" to your whitelist or email address book, so that you have no trouble receiving future issues!