www.tommcrae.com

I’m very sorry to have to tell you all that the release of the new album and subsequent tour has been delayed until next year.

Due to circumstances I couldn't really control - and a last minute record deal being offered, which I desperately needed but wasn't expecting, I have been asked to reschedule the tour to early next year.

I'm truly sorry, as I know many people have made travel and accommodation arrangements that will be difficult to change, and that this is extremely late notice, but this is all a bit sudden at our end too.

Many of you will have booked tickets, and flights etc… so I know how much of a pain this is, but all the gig tickets will still be valid for the rescheduled shows, the dates of which we will announce as soon as we can.

I’ll do my best to answer any questions myself as well, so email info@tommcrae if you want to express yourself personally – as you can imagine I’ve been doing that to a few people recently, as this has shifted everything I’d been planning for over two years myself.

My frustration is boiling over right now, mitigated only slightly by the hope that I’m doing the right thing for the album. I can imagine therefore how angry and annoyed you must be at this news.

I know several of you were coming to multiple gigs, and the astonishing Kim was aiming to get to at least 8 of them. To you, Kim, a very special apology.

As you are all aware the industry is in turmoil right now, and while I was preparing to throw yet another record out there unassisted, only for it to vanish instantly like the last 3 - it looks now as if a label wants to champion it after all.

This is obviously still a gamble, and who knows if it will ultimately change anything, but I owe it to the songs (which I hope you’ll think are some of the best I’ve written – when you get a bloody chance to hear them) and I think I owe it to many of you, who have been urging me on with your support for many years.

Without you at the gigs and buying the albums and spreading the word, it’s doubtful I would even be in the position to attract another label, let alone reach out and try and invite more people into the little world that we’ve shared for the last ten years.

If you can bear with me just a little longer, I’ll have more news, and some hard facts about the new dates. I think we’re looking at February now, which gives the label a chance to promote the record before and during the tour. There’s even talk of a single going to radio – so it seems I’ll have to adjust to working with crazy optimists for a while. But none of this gets you closer to hearing the new songs or seeing them performed by the amazing band I had put together. For that I apologise again.

I’m also going to look into ways which I can begin to make this up to you somehow in the short term, maybe I can do the odd solo show here and there, or ask to let you hear a song or two from the album – I’ll let you know how I get on.

I’m disappointed – I’m only really alive when I’m touring and playing songs night after night – but I’m also cautiously optimistic that I may finally have found some people who are not only like what I do, but are in a position to help. It was a tough choice but one I felt I ultimately had to make.

I’ll keep you posted with updates, I’m hoping to resolve the new tour dates in the next few days, and as soon as I get information I’ll pass it straight onto you.

Once again, I’m desperately sorry, but fingers crossed it will work out for the best.

Tom

....lost for words

Well what can I say...

I do have a suggestion though, why don't you tour the current tour ?
Make some kind of greatest hits gig out of it, playing songs which the fans can request,
and, if the record company wants it like this, don't play any new songs ?

That way literally thousands of fans would catch a glimpse of you, as honestly it's been too long since we've seen you.
You would also make money in the process, and make us happy..

what more is there to life than that ?

Just a suggestion ! But if I may say so, a lot better than a complete tour cancelled...

Haven't written on here in ages.

Aside from whatever contractual obligations might be involved, touring when you're not currently in a record deal and you're not promoting an album, Nessler, probably makes no sense financially for most people? I don't know, I have no idea how these things work, but I'd imagine if it made any kind of sense to do it and it was possible, it would still be happening?

Oooor, a b-sides tour ?

I'm really disappointed. I was really looking forward to the gigs (Eindhoven, and considering going to Utrecht as well), and so were the friends I was going with. But I guess if this means that the record MIGHT be heard by other people, then it makes sense Tom takes the deal. Then again, I can't help but feel that the labels haven't done their jobs that good so far and that it remains to be seen whether it will be different this time. It will be extremely unfortunately if fans and artist were disappointed again... Even if it results in a bittersweet hilarious but sad blogpost on mcraetheism.
It's sad we have to wait for 5 more months before touring gets underway (let alone when we'll see the album). Tom's music has a special place in my life, and I think this is the case for many of us.

Music is business and it's always better (less risky) if someone else is willing to invest in you than having to pay for touring / releasing yourself. I hope, I really hope this all is worth it. It would be really sad if it wasn't. I guess touring this thing solo (or with a band) as a greatest hits thing is probably not extremely awesome, money-wise, especially if there's no record to promote. Doing such a big tour probably is a big investment already.

All the best to you Tom. I can wait. But your live gigs are among the best I've ever seen. I hope things work out and that we'll be able to see you soon.

Disappointing but understable.... well a bit.

good luck tom

I feel sad for the people who have arranged to go to the shows, but really happy for Tom that he has a deal. That's great news.

Selfishly, I am pleased that I may end up going to some shows next year now.

Flaps, what a disappointment...

My wife and I were eagerly looking forward to the Brighton show in a few weeks, as we have done the last 2 or 3 tours. Still, it's not the end of the world (for us), we live close by so the tickets will just sit on the shelf until they're used at the re-scheduled date. It's the peeps who've bought rail/plane tickets and booked hotels that will be more hard-done by.

Completely understand Tom's motives though, and he did the decent thing in getting on the email/forum to us all and letting us know personally rather than some cold statement from his 'people'. I agree that he couldn't have really turned the offer down either; if I were in his shoes, well... first he'd wonder why I have his shoes, but... I'd have done the same.

Good luck Tom!

Well best of luck with this new deal but am gutted as I was going to just be able to go to your London gig before I leave for New Zealand.

Any news on being able to get a refund?

avec baby?

Does anybody know what label would be involved? Not a major I guess?

Well, as far as my knowledge goes (which isnt very far) I believe the artist
makes the most money for himself out of the tour.
For the artist there is very little money to make in record sales (digital, cd, vinyl, cassette....)

Of course the record company would want to have an accompanieing tour, since
it would boost the new record sales.

I remember the "just to say hello" accoust in between album tour in 2004.
Between just like blood and all maps welcome.
I was thinking that kind of tour.

Which would probably mean he would have to do one next year to accompany the new record.

It could be perhaps like that, a shortened tour, creating a bit of a buzz tour ?

Lest not forget that apart from "our misery" Tom has a record deal !
Which is fantastic news!

And in the end, he has to take the right choices for himself.

I can wait until february for both album and tour,
I just think it's a bit saddening for all those arrangements made, people buying tickets, ....

haha! Do you think Tom would mind singing quietly if I did?

When I went to see Damien Rice at Union Chapel last year, Jo Whiley was hosting and she held her 2 week old baby in her arms (fast asleep) while introducing Damien onstage and then sat in the wings. I kept expected baby howls but Coco stayed asleep the whole show.

Sad to hear the news but it may work out for the best.

I bought a ticket for my ex who is travelling round the world and she was due to come back before the gig before she changed her plans.
We went to our previous four Tom gigs together.

Now they've been postponed she will be able to come.

I'd like to think Tom made these changes for us.

Thanks Tom. :p