WELCOME!
Warm greetings from Vashon Island, Washington. I appreciate your interest in Love Songs Etc. I launched this newsletter in January 2023 while emerging from a years-long stretch with chronic fatigue. I’m happy to report that my energy is continuing to improve. I’m grateful to feel well enough to be back at work.
My focus is on this newsletter, an album of all-new material and a return to the stage. These projects are intimately intertwined and subscribers are along for the ride.
Back when my fatigue was at its worst, a silver lining appeared. My lack of energy forced me to consider this:
“If I could only do one thing, what would it be?”
Despite my many interests, the answer was immediate and concrete: Songwriting! And as it turned out, songwriting paired well with my fatigue. (It may look like I'm just laying on a couch, but I'm actually hard at work trying to find a rhyme for orange.)
During the fatigue years, I amassed a pile of new songs. I’m excited to be sharing some of them here. As the title of this newsletter suggests, you can expect love songs. There are also songs that explore the complexity of my experience as an adoptee, road songs, a cautionary drug tale, and even a song or two about writing songs. I’m giving glimpses into my process with From the Sketchbook, a series of posts in which subscribers witness how a song evolves via work tapes, demos, and short essays.
For long-time fans, I’m sharing rarities unearthed from my catalog along with stories from the past. I’m also posting live performance videos.
IS THERE A PAYWALL?
None of my posts will be behind a paywall. However, Substack allows for paid subscriptions so that those who would like to support my work financially can do so.
In addition to my deepest gratitude, paid subscribers will receive:
New music before it’s released! (In hi-res!)
Access to a “rarities” page where they can download hi-res copies of the music I post on Substack!
Early bird tickets! 1
Paid subscriptions are $6 a month or $60 a year.
For those who would like to show an extra level of support, a DrogeHead Lounge membership is $200 suggested, or any amount above $60.
WHY SUBSTACK?
I'm excited to have a platform where I can share my creative world and even more excited to have you here to be a part of it all. I've never felt comfortable with all those big social media platforms.
A friend summed it up like this:
"Sharing music on Facebook is like busking in the public square while sharing through Substack is like an intimate house concert."
I love knowing that everyone on the receiving end of my posts is a willing participant. I also love that we can create something of a community. (Please join me in the comments section!)
So, whether you're a total DrogeHead, a fair-weather fan, or a looky-loo, you are welcome to join me by subscribing here.
Thanks for taking the time to check out Love Songs Etc on Substack!
Peace & Love Songs,
Pete Droge
Summer 2024
Vashon Island, WA
Available for select shows only.
