Hello, my name is James Thomson. I’m a singer and songwriter currently residing in Newcastle, NSW.
Over the past year I've been working on my second full length album, in a beautiful studio by the Hawkesbury River, NSW.

It’s been a great and at times maddening and exhausting experience. After starting the recording sessions in July 2013, I took a three month break to road trip through the Southern states of America; getting to see places where I always felt a deep musical affinity for.

I grew up on a steady diet of Blues and Country music and it was a revelation to see places like the infamous crossroads of Highway 49 and 61 where Robert Johnson allegedly sold his soul in exchange for mastery of the guitar, to wander down a strangely deserted Beale Street in Memphis with only the odd snowflake for company (it was coldest night in 120 years in Tennessee) and to visit the humble grave of the great Georgian blues man; Blind Willie Mctell (see below).




(photo by: www.joenigelcoleman.com)

Travelling to these parts of America where powerful and strange music was made and written certainly gave me a new perspective on the songs I had recorded for this album and also proved a spark to write four new songs which I’ve since included.

There are 12 songs on the album; 11 originals and 1 cover.
The songs were recorded by Grant Shanahan at his Leisure Suit studios at Mangrove Mountain, NSW.  
I recorded my first album here as well,  which was released in 2012 through Sydney based Independent label, Laughing Outlaw Records ( www.laughingoutlaw.com.au ).  

Grant has once again done a great job capturing the fine work of some stellar musicians including: LLoyd G (Drums, Vocals), Hank Green (Electric Guitar/Slide Guitar), John Gaucci (Organ), Matt Galvin (Guitar, 12 string Guitar), Steph Miller (Mandolin, Accordion, Organ, Vocals), Peter J (Trumpet), De'May (Percussion, Vocals) and Grant himself who played Bass on the tracks.
I play electric guitar, banjo, acoustic guitar, harmonica, as well as sing, on the tracks.
The recording/studio time, as well as paying all those great musicians for their time and efforts, has been covered by scrupulous saving.

Now after a year of hard work it’s time to have the record mixed, mastered and pressed to a standard that reflects how proud we are with what we believe we’ve captured.

I am hoping to crowd fund the amount needed for these production costs via pre-orders of my second record as well as a range of rewards (including my first record) so that I can share this album with everyone who has been supportive of my music and all those who wish to be a part of the new record coming together.

$ 1100 - Mastering

$ 800 - Mixing

If this total is exceeded, any additional funds will be put towards the printing and pressing costs associated with the album (which will be $1000+).

The biggest challenge is not being able to meet the required target in order to have the mixing and mastering done.
It would also mean a significant delay in terms of time, as this work can take weeks or sometimes a month or more to complete. 

On top of the mixing and mastering, the cost and time associated with production of the album has to be considered (actually printing/pressing the CD's).

Having said that, the album will be released and finished in spite of any and all obstacles.
Whether that is in 2014 or 2015/2016 depends largely on the success of our crowd funding campaign,