Stephen Doster newest album, over the red sea was released on March 4, 2022! We are offering exclusive opportunities to order the acclaimed new album and support the artist. Physical CDs are limited in availability and will only be available for purchase until the first printing runs out. The new album will not be available on traditional streaming platforms and can only be purchased through the website. Now is your chance to support the project and hear the new music first!
A note from Stephen:
Hello friends-
Thank you so much for being here to find about my new record. First of all I’d like to say what a wonderful musical adventure it’s been. I thank each and every one of you that has ever come to see me play, listened to one of my songs, bought a record, and encouraged me along the way. Also big thanks to all those who have performed beside me over the years.
I first want to express my heartfelt gratitude to the wonderful musicians who have generously lent their talents to the making of this record- Chris Searles (drums and percussion), Sam Pankey (upright bass and electric bass), Rich Brotherton (vocals, cittern, tenor guitar), Andrea Magee (vocals, bodhran, penny whistle), Jon Grossman (vibraphone, Rhodes, Wurlitzer, piano), Sam Jeffrey (flugelhorn), Seela (vocals), JM Stevens (vocals), and Brian Standefer (cello). Also a shout to Collings Guitars and the great late Bill Collings for making my acoustic guitar which is the centerpiece of my performances. I can truly say this has been one of the most meaningful musical experiences in my life.
It’s been a wild ride with tens of thousands of shows. All of that has brought me to the making of over the red sea. In my mind the record starts on that boat on the record cover. I had gone on another trip with my colleague, Greg Engle, to the Horn of Africa as an arts envoy for the State Department. We did not get there in that boat, just sayin’. On these trips we are music ambassadors for the U.S. and our mission is to spread “peace and goodwill in the region.” A pretty good mission I’d say. Working with the kids and local musicians in the various countries we’ve visited always is always a wonderful experience. It reminds me of the commonality and love we all share. We stopped off in London, where I’ve spent many formative years of my life, on our return. “When I Cross The Divide,” the opening track, was mostly written on that first day back in England. Shortly upon our return to the U.S. the world shut down.
I had reignited my love of England on a tour I did for my record Arizona with my pal, Bob Cheevers, in late 2014. We had an incredible tour and it reminded me of the strong influence British pop and folk music has played in my life. I think those influences are best shown in my acoustic guitar style, and that was my focus on this record. The orchestration around it has been a joy.
The following song “The Singing Bus Driver” is based on a man who my wife Melinda and I met in Northern Ireland. He had been through much strife in his life, but had remained positive, exuding joy and good vibrations as he we rode along with him on his bus.
Eventually the songs end up back home in the hill country of Texas. So this record is a kind of travelogue and I hope you’ll come along for the ride.
I want to keep the campaign for this record as simple as possible. To finish this record I am asking for your support. Fans, friends, and patrons will essentially be the record label, ArtWar Records. The name was inspired by my last dinner with my friend, the late, brilliant comic Bill Hicks. He was not a fan of the blatant commercialization of film, television, and music. He wanted to see us all have integrity in our work. He spoke passionately, as he was known to do, “It’s a f*$%ing art war man!”
So all of you are now ArtWar Records. I would also like to greatly thank Atticus Records who made my last two records, Arizona and New Black Suit, possible.
I’m simply trying to make a record in the same way as the records that moved me as a young person. We are recording the entire record on 2’’ tape at our beloved recording home, Ear Studio in Austin, Texas. My record-making partner, James Stevens, is once again ‘behind the wheel’ of the soundboard.
Again, I hope you’ll come along! Please share this information with anyone you think might be interested.
Peace and love,
Stephen
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over the red sea
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