My Solo Project!

I’m Murray Grainger and I’ve been a professional accordionist my entire career, living and breathing music for over 30 years now! In all that time I have been privileged to perform all over the world and record many albums, with some amazing musicians and groups:

Maartin Allcock, Phil Beer, Cormac Byrne, Piers Adams, Steve Knightley, Desi Donnelly, Steafan Hannigan, Miranda Sykes

BBC Symphony Orchestra, Northern Sinfonia, Liverpool Philharmonic, Warner Brothers, Scottish Ballet, Opera North

The Ciderhouse Rebellion. The Haar, Captain of the Lost Waves, Hérétique, Finality Jack, Monster Ceilidh Band

However it has always been as a member of a group or show and I have now reached a point in my life where I feel ready to step out on my own and record an album of solo accordion music, without the comfort and support of other musicians. It is finally time for me to fully explore and express my own voice.

Over  the last few years I’ve been lucky to work with some amazing musicians, in particular with the phenomenal violinist Adam Summerhayes. Improvising and creating music in the moment with Adam has allowed me to find and express my true voice, to really connect with the deep core of my musical self and experience the total freedom to play what is inside me, without any restriction or limitation.

It is this openness and abandon that I want to explore in this album. I will be expressing and capturing my innermost feelings, thoughts and emotions through music.

I am going to step into my beautiful, local church and just play from my heart. The 5 day recording experience will be captured in the music (CD and downloads), in photographs by Adam, and in an accompanying book, telling the story.

To my knowledge this will be the first ever, wholly improvised, solo accordion album.

Your support helping me achieve this life long ambition, is invaluable.

What support I am needing & What You Can Receive

I will record and mix the album myself in my studio but I am asking for funds to cover the following outside costs:

Venue hire – Recording for 5 days in St John The Baptist Church – £500

Photography and Artwork for CD and book – £1000

Mastering  by Jon Astley- £750

CD Replication – £1000

PR and promotion – Having made this unique album I need help getting it out into the world  – £1000

TOTAL – £4250

For your most wonderful contributions I am offering the following perks:

£5 – Make a suggestion for the album title! I will consider every vote before making my decision. If your name is chosen then your name will appear in the booklet and you will receive a free signed book and cd. All contributors will get a thank you on social media.

£15 Download link to Album

£20 Signed copy of Book and download link

£25 Signed copy of Book and CD

£50 Signed Front Cover Artwork print, Signed copy of Book and CD

£75 Free access to my online accordion course, ‘Beginners Accordion Course for Musicians’. This usually costs £99. You will also receive a signed copy of book and CD.

£100 One to one video accordion lesson, signed copy of Book and CD

£200 Bespoke recording of the tune of your choice, improvised by Murray in his studio! Plus signed copy of Book and CD

£250 Spend the day with Murray in the studio as the album is edited. Signed copy of Book and CD

£300 Limited edition art  photo print specially created for the project by award winning photographer (and fiddle player!) Adam Summerhayes, framed/canvas print tbc  Signed copy of Book and CD

£500 House concert within 150 miles of Misson. Further distance will require a surcharge for the extra travel and a potential accommodation. Signed copy of Book and CD

By supporting this project you will be helping me to realise a long-held personal ambition to create my solo album, to fully stretch myself as a performer and to become a solo artist.

But there’s more to it than that. I also hope to inspire others – not only accordionists but all musicians – to dare to step into the brave world of spontaneous self-expression through music. To find their own voice.

My many years of experience recording and releasing music is great preparation, as is my strong musical foundation.

This is a brave step. It will stretch me further than any creative project to date. This feels the most exciting and brave thing I have done as an artist.

I have all practical bases covered. I just need to step into that church, with your support.

You may not be able to make a financial contribution, but if you’re inspired by what I’m doing, please consider helping by sharing the campaign with friends and on social media. I will be very grateful!