20th May 2004

Between you and me, it's a little too early to have archived Newsletters. Maybe in a 6 month's time?

21st May 2004

Welcome to the James Blunt website. This has just gone live today. I’ve worked on it with some friends, so if it doesn’t work, that’s because I’m a musician, not a computer programmer. No, I’m sure it’ll be fine... They promised me they were professionals.

We’re heading off on a weeklong UK tour supporting Carina Round and Damien Dempsey this afternoon. Who are they? I don’t know – but then again, they definitely don’t know who I am either. I hear they’re great. Paul Beard will be coming along as my keyboard player, and Daisy Blunt will be doing backing vocals, so it’s the same setup as the Katie Melua tour. Paul has been in several well-known bands – Utah Saints, The Bluetones and Black Grape – not that you’d know it by looking at him.

The debut album was finished in February this year in Los Angeles. It’s called “Back To Bedlam” and was produced mainly by Tom Rothrock. Linda Perry produced the last song on the record called “No Bravery”. Release dates for the record are being sorted out now, and will be announced shortly. We anticipate it will come out in the UK first and in the US soon after that. Until then, I’m doing plenty of shows, including opening for Elton John in Ipswich and Aberdeen football stadiums and Glastonbury, so come along if you’re in the area and throw your knickers at Paul. I’ll pay you.

1st July 2004
 

For those of you who have seen the shows this month you will have noticed a change - we’ve formed a band. Paul Beard is still onboard playing keys, and we’ve added a rhythm section in the form of Karl Brazil (drums) and Malcolm Moore (bass). These two have worked together a lot and are a tight unit. Paul Freeman has also come into the fold playing lead guitar. He’s written and played on the latest Mark Owen album. We had 4 rehearsals and then went straight into supporting Elton at Ipswich and Aberdeen Football Stadiums. Last week we did Glastonbury and are now in recovery.  I  went  there  with

my mate, Nin, who designed the website, and lost him on the Saturday. No one has heard from him since. His picture is in the diary section. Please have a look, and if you’ve seen him, email me.

A very nice man from Radio 2 came to Aberdeen and has sorted out a slot for us at Guilfest on Saturday 17th July, which we’re really looking forward to. Beyond that, I’m expecting to hear in the next week or so the overall plan for the album release. It’s taken a long time to sort out, but I’m in good hands and will post all the news online as soon as I can. Thanks for waiting…

1st August 2004

We are going to release a single, 'High', at the end of September, followed by the full album release. We're putting together video treatments at the moment, and will shoot the video in a couple of weeks. If you have any ideas, we've added a message board to the Contact section of the site, so feel free to make a comment or tell me your ideas - just don't invoice me afterwards. We've also put in a picture board where you can upload relevant or random pictures of your own. I check them out before they go live in case they're too frightening for public consumption... The album cover is being designed and photographed this Tuesday and we will post the album artwork up soon after. Lets hope the make-up artist is a magician.

Other than that, August is too hot to work, so the next shows will be in September. It's time for a holiday.