ALBUM RELEASE DAY - New Music Video
Plus, an album bio of sorts and news of what comes next!
Today sees the release of two titles from Puzzle Tree Records.1
The Droge & Summers Blend - Volume Three is a 13-song collection of outtakes, alternate versions, and demos from 2008-2015. It also includes one new song, “Big Time Dream.”
Pete Droge - The Droge & Summers Blend Sessions combines all three volumes in one 23-song collection.
Both titles are available digitally.
Volume Three CDs are on BANDCAMP.
Here is the video for “Two of the Lucky Ones (Alternate Version),” directed by John Jeffcoat.
I created the following post to serve as a kind of album bio.
PETE & ELAINE FORM A HARMONY BAND!
In 2008, Elaine Summers and I decided to embark on a side project featuring the harmony vocal sound we had developed over our many years together. Elaine and I have been partners in life and music since 1993. Except for my side project, The Thorns2 she has been a close collaborator in all my musical endeavors dating back to my debut, Necktie Second.3
We named ourselves The Droge & Summers Blend. Blend for short. Rather than make an album, we chose to make a series of EPs. 2009 saw the release of Volume One. Volume Two arrived in 2014. Volume Three was placed on hold when my chronic fatigue issues4 arose in the Fall of 2015.
THE BLENDING CREW!
We enlisted a stellar group of musicians. Mind if I drop some names?
Jay Bellerose, Paul Brainard, Matt Chamberlain, Jennifer Condos, Nova Karina Devonie, Dave Hull, Vincent Labelle, Eyvind Kang, Keith Lowe, Bill Rieflin, Peter Stroud, Hans Teuber and Scott Weddle!
We call them The Blending Crew. These cats play with cats like Bob Dylan, David Bowie, BB King, Elton John, Bill Frisell, T Bone Burnett, Buddy Miles, Arthur Lee, Aerosmith, REM, King Crimson, Sheryl Crow & Don Henley. The list goes on and on.
For a closer look at life in the studio with these incredible musicians, check out these posts:
ROOFTOP • TWO OF THE LUCKY ONES (Basic Track) • SAD CLOWN
MUSIC FOR ZOMBIES!
On the day Volume One was released, we learned our song “Two of the Lucky Ones” had been placed in the movie Zombieland. Then, “Wonder” from Volume Two was the opening cue in the pilot of CW’s iZombie. We are hoping something from Volume Three gets into a zombie flick so we can keep the streak alive.
Neither song was written with zombies in mind. A handful of songs from Volume Three were written for the screen, though. “Rooftop,” “Northern Lights,” “The Choice,” “Hang On To Me,” and “Two of the Lucky Ones” all began life as underscore of one kind or another.
These posts get into all of that:
THE CHOICE • HANG ON TO ME • TWO OF THE LUCKY ONES (Alt Version)
VOLUME THREE DERAILED!
After the first two EPs were out, we had some leftover Blending Crew tracks to consider for Volume Three. There wasn’t enough material for another EP, so we decided to cut a few of our newer songs with me playing all the instruments myself.
We were making significant progress until the aforementioned fatigue derailed us. Blend would spend the next several years untouched on hard drives on a shelf.
VOLUME THREE UNEARTHED!
Once my health improved enough, Blend was one of the first projects I turned my attention to. Elaine and I had a blast digging through the old sessions. We unearthed tracks we’d forgotten all about! Some were finished. Others were close. A mix here, a background vocal there, and soon enough, we had a bunch of songs in the can. Then, at the last minute, we recorded a brand new song, “Big Time Dream.” Read about the making of that track here.
We began releasing a series of singles in March of 2023 with “Only Have Eyes.” “Rooftop,” “Northern Lights,” “Hang On To Me,” and “Big Time Dream” followed.
To round out the 13-song collection, we’ve included a few early demos.
WHAT’S NEXT?
First, my debut, Necktie Second, turns thirty next year. I’m keeping those plans under wraps for now.
Second, I’m working with producer Paul Bryan (Aimee Mann) on material amassed during the fatigue years. We released the single “Fading Fast” in February. Read about the making of that track here.
Those sessions also produced “Lonely Mama,” the first from a batch of deeply personal songs dealing with my experience as an adoptee. Look for “Lonely Mama” next year on a 7” vinyl record on Pearl Jam guitarist Mike McCready’s HockyTalkter label.
A series of digital singles will follow. Then, when there is enough material, we’ll release them all on a long player. That’s the plan anyhow.
Finally, I will continue with this newsletter. I’m loving Love Songs Etc. I’ve been at it since January. I’m at 62 posts and counting!
Peace & Love Songs,
Pete Droge
Fall 2023
Our Mom & Pop label. Founded in 2003.
My 2002-2003 side project with Matthew Sweet & Shawn Mullins. We released an album on Columbia/Aware and toured the world and elsewhere.
Produced by Brendan O’Brien and released on Rick Rubin’s American Recordings label in 1994.
Long story. One for another time. In short, I’m happy to report that my energy is continuing to improve. I’m well enough to be back at work. I’m not rocking the hours I did pre-fatigue, but I’m getting better all the time. For some backstory, check out this post from 2017.
Goosebumps on my goosebumps on my goosebumps for that goosebumpy video!!! LOVE the LOVE between you two that I can feel in this thing. Congrats to John for a stellar hob capturing your hazy world. KUDOS!!!
The sound is great, and Jeff has done a great job with the production.