Well, here we are again. The eve of a spectacular gala event to launch my new album, Outside the Wire. To be honest, I can't wipe the smile off my face. I am so incredibly fortunate! There are so many sparkling facets to this period in time for me. I am eternally grateful to my friends, family, colleagues and exceptionally wonderful fanbase. The line-up for the launch is truly fantastic (We are all in for a real treat!), the album will be available for download on the day of the launch, merchandise is prepped and ready and the song choice for the set list of each show is bountiful.
I am floating in a sea of that intoxicating mixture of excitement and anticipation; bracing myself for the unknown.
My manager, Graham (who is a very wise man... and a master of analogy) has commented a number of times over the past few months that what we are undertaking here in terms of the album, the launch, the singles, and the tour is like climbing a mountain. If you only focus on the peak and just how far away it is, the irresistible inclination is to feel completely overwhelmed and small. (I think we have all had a moment or ten like that at some point). The key is to always keep to peak in mind, but to focus on the road ahead; section at a time. Without the wonderful people in my life, there is no way I will have been able to make that happen.
For a songwriter, the path to launching an album and taking it out on the road is a long and complex one. When I look at my old leather couch, I can see myself sitting down on it with a fresh note pad and my guitar preparing to write the songs which would later form the heart and soul of this album, but it's like looking at someone else. Not a stranger per se, but someone sitting in the beautiful calm, ignorantly facing the wrong way and missing the tremendous storm coming. The storm itself is not menacing. But dramatic, unpredictable, turbulent and beautiful.... Totally worth facing, and utterly exhausting.
So much time has passed since I was in that intensive hyper creative space, but the moment I hear one of the songs from Outside the Wire, I am immediately drawn back to that time. The sweeping recollection of a most spectacular year; A life lived less ordinary.
Want to know what it's like? Take my metaphorical (and musical) hand, come join me. I can't guarantee that attending a Caddy Cooper and Friends show will change your life, but I do hope that it will inspire you to feel. If the experiences of the past year have taught me anything, it's that true happiness and satisfaction can only be reached when you allow yourself to feel the full gamut of emotions in life. Take the time to enjoy the warm summer breeze. Walk in the pouring rain (dance if you have the inclination!), feel cold and miserable and then relish in the comfort of a warm shower and soft pyjamas. Talk to people you'd normally avoid. I'm not saying it will be a good experience every time, but it's likely to be a colourful one. Tell your loved ones how much they mean to you. Tell that person you've had a crush on that you'd like to take them out. They might say no..... but then, they might say yes. Breathe. You are the master of your own destiny and the only thing that will stop you from changing something you don't like in your life is self doubt. How empowering is that?!
Words can't express the love and gratitude I feel. Thank you all so much for being a part of my journey. Here's to taking a deep breath and diving in.
I look forward to seeing you at one or many of the shows this year.
Caddy xx