I am proud and emotional to finally share with you Death Valley; my third full length album as Butch Bastard. It is by far the work of which I am most proud, and it feels like I damn near killed myself to get it made. Please order the vinyl, stream it and spread the word far and wide! Doing so greatly enables me to continue on this path. Allow me to elaborate.
For two years this music and project has kept me afloat with purpose, so to finally have it out in the world is bittersweet. The birth of this music into the world is in some ways its death in mine.
In an age of overwhelming negativity and a world that seems to be slipping away from us, I offer to you a collection of songs written and produced with all of my heart, vulnerability, intelligence, intuition, insight and emotion.
It is music that engages with its time and challenges the world in which it breathes.
This is an album created and manufactured entirely independently. The artists who contributed to it did so for less than they are worth but as much as I could afford. Their contributions came mostly out of goodwill and a belief that this great tradition of MAKING RECORDS is of the highest calling. This is music that uses no artificial intelligence. It uses only the resources at hand.
This is an album of music made with absolutely no guarantee of turning a profit or breaking even.
This record was made because to me, nothing heals, confronts, provides purpose, unifies, enriches, or provides evidence of magic or God like music. There is nothing I could do with my life to make it feel more well-lived than to put everything I have into making a contribution to this miracle, ever so small as that contribution may be.
On the Blueprint 2, Jay-Z, one of my greatest lyrical inspirations, when referencing how he and his partners got his independent record label off the ground raps: “nobody did us no favors, nobody gave us shit, we made us… (The Rat Pack, I’m Sinatra, Dame’s Sam Davis)”.
He has far better lines, but this one is always somewhere in my head as I navigate my career. I work with a chip on my shoulder. I always feel slighted or overlooked. Outside of the club. Full time lone wolf status.
That chip motivates me and puts barbs in my output, but it also overlooks the fact that there are people who have really, truly showed up for me and offered their beauty and passion to me for far less than they are worth.
From the bottom of my heart I thank Peter Murray, Ryan Nasci, Dave Cerminara, Casey Wescott, Laena Myers, Richard Gowen, Bill Patton, Tony Barba, Josh Tillman, Jon Titterington, Kyle Flynn, Noah Chernin, Mitch Rowland, Nick Thune, Kyle Johnson, Maria Govea, Loren Purcell, Crystal Quinn and everyone else who has made themselves available to me and graced me with their talents and largesse.
More than anyone I need to thank Katherine Murray. Without her support, none of this gets done. My hope for every artist out there struggling to make their way in a world that is increasingly inhospitable to creatives is that you find a person, a community, a family, a muse, anything or anyone that can provide for you a backbone like the one she provides me. It’s not gonna be the industry and it’s not gonna be your government. Keep fighting, and value your people.
Finally, I thank all of you. Specifically you, who has subscribed to this newsletter, opened it, and read this far. I can’t overemphasize how encouraging your response is.
Again, please order the vinyl if you are so inclined, and spread it.
Ok, Sports Fans. The album is out. Spread the word. Enjoy it. In a few days I head to Europe to play this music on tour with the great Father John Misty. A dream come true.
Love,
Ian
Easily could be my album of the year for 2025; really loving this one, lan. The Other Side was taking me places during the first listen - what an absolute banger (about to wear this one out on the vinyl when my copy comes). I hope the tour with FJM brings some more ears to your work this year!