GREGORY DOUGLASS

CSPS debut | Gregory Douglass’ passionate blend of contemporary folk, pop and rock has been compared to Rufus Wainwright, Tori Amos, Jeff Buckley and Patty Griffin. With seven critically acclaimed, independent CDs under his belt, the 27-year old Vermont native is a master of grassroots promotion, slowly building his reputation through intimate house concerts and direct fan support.

Will Ackerman, Grammy winner and founder of Windham Hill Records, said Gregory “is simply the most remarkable new talent I’ve heard in a decade. A brilliant, intelligent songwriter with an expressive and versatile voice...”

OUT Magazine raved that Gregory has “Rufus Wainwright’s opulent musicality and Justin Timberlake’s accessible soulfulness… Welcome to your new favorite singer-songwriter.”

Gregory’s new album, Battler, was nearly his last. Hurled into a depression by the state of the music industry and the pressures endured by full-time independent artists, Douglass took a break from touring and drew himself in for a long, dark Vermont winter. A love affair with HBO’s “Six Feet Under” — and the haunting, compelling questions raised by the quirky series — inspired Gregory to return to music. He says, “Writing and recording this album has been a cathartic experience — after a rock-bottom winter of red wine and unexpected inspiration, I’ve come to the conclusion that I need to continue making music.”

On the piano-driven opening track, “Broken Through,” Douglass relates his feelings watching a beloved childhood friend overcome a tough upbringing to marry the love of her life. Battler’s epic ballad, “Devotion,” portrays a similar surge of personal growth, while “No Apology” confronts Gregory’ life-long struggles with his father in a multi-layered, a cappella hymn. Collaborators on the disc include Righteous Babe Record’s Anais Mitchell on the moving “Sadly” and soul diva Grace Potter on the stunning closing track “Ordinary Man.”

Gregory has independently released each of his studio albums over the last decade through Emote Records, a self-owned and operated record label. His last four albums were financed almost entirely by fans pre-ordering and contributing donations directly through his website. House concerts hosted by fans make up a large portion of his national touring schedule. “As a full-time independent artist, it’s imperative to come up with intimate, new ways to remind people you’re still there,” Douglass says.
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Gregory Douglass is opening for Catie Curtis.