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News on LP, Summer Tour
MAY 15, 2012
We are cranking away on the new tracks as we speak and should have the LP done by Independence Day. The completion of this album will culminate with a 2012 Summer tour throughout the month of August.
We hope to visit as many places as we can. If you are interested in bringing Sam Pace and the Gilded Grit to your town, please email us at sampacemusic@gmail.com so we can hammer out how we can make it happen.
Lots more fun stuff to come!
March Madness concludes, Recording Resumes…
APRIL 2, 2012
Hands down the busiest month we’ve had to date, March has finally come to end. Through 31 days, we played 12 gigs at 10 new venues, and met dozens of great bands and new fans along the way.
With our axels greased and the machine well oiled, the Grit will spend the next couple months completing the LP we began this Winter.
We are thrilled to be heading into Spring and Summer with so much momentum and cannot wait for the work and fun that lay ahead.
April will be relatively quiet on the gig front, as we prepare to enter the studio. May and June, however, should be jam packed with great opportunities to check out the Grit live. We hope to see some familiar faces, and know we’ll see plenty of new ones.
Until then, stay hungry!
OUR FIRST SXSW!
MARCH 9, 2012
The Grit is anxiously awaiting our first SXSW experience as a band. We have a series of shows lined up, so if you’re in town for the festival, swing by one of these cool venues:
Thursday 3/15
1pm- Fricanos Deli (2405 Nueces Street Austin, Texas)
5pm- Mr. Natural (2414 South Lamar Boulevard Austin, TX 78704)
11pm- Stompin Grounds (3801 South Congress Avenue Austin, TX 78704)
Friday 3/16
5pm- Mr. Natural (2414 South Lamar Boulevard Austin, TX 78704)
Saturday 3/17
5pm- Mr. Natural (2414 South Lamar Boulevard Austin, TX 78704)
NEW SAM PACE & THE GILDED GRIT TRACKS NOW AVAILABLE!
JANUARY 30, 2012
The first EP from Sam Pace and the Gilded Grit is a wrap. After spending the holidays recording, mixing, and mastering- the band is thrilled to have completed its first batch of tracks. Check them out below!
The album was recorded at Droplink Studios, and mixed and mastered at the Pirate Studio- both in Austin, TX. Thanks to Josh Woodhouse and Craig Sadler for their expertise!
We would love to share the music with you, so feel free to email us at sampacemusic@gmail.com and we’ll give you a taste of the goods. A hearty, deliciously nutritious taste of the goods.
Lot’s more action to come!
RIP Hubert Sumlin
DECember 5, 2011
Rest In Peace Hubert Sumlin- one of the most influential guitarist we have seen. Hendrix, Clapton, Richards, and a whole bunch of others stole many a lick from this cat; and Howlin' Wolf’s legendary recordings would not be the same with out him. Thank goodness music lasts forever, and Hubert will never be lost to us. Peace and Love to the memory of this tremendous player.
A Winter Wonderland of Gilded Grit Shows!
DECember 2, 2011
The Gilded Grit has a rapidly growing slate of winter performances coming up (many of which are FREE). Check the SHOWS section regularity to see which date works for you.
New shows have just been added, including our New Years Eve bash and inaugural trip to San Antonio.
So treat yourself this holiday season to a dirty good time with the Grit- you shant regret it!
In the Studio: Working on EP
November 31, 2011
The Gilded Grit is currently pounding away at our first release, which will be ready by early 2012. The debut effort will include 6 new tracks and promises to be a very exciting culmination of the months of work we have put in since we started in May.
We are working with Josh Woodhouse at Droplink Studios in Austin, and so far the process has been fantastic. The facilities and attitude at Droplink are exactly what the Grit was hoping for when we set out to make this record, and we have a great deal of confidence that the end product will be one we can hang our collective hats on.
The tunes should be ready to go by mid to late January, so buckle up and stay tuned!
HAPPY 21st JAKE!
November 8, 2011
The Grit celebrating our drummer's 21st birthday - Happy b-day Jake! And thanks for the party and picture Mike!
November: A month for THANKS and GIVING (FREE MUSIC!!!)
October 31, 2011
This November the Big Dog crew would like to extend a very special THANK YOU to all the fans who have made the first year of Sam Pace Music a smashing success!
To celebrate and show our appreciation, we would like to offer anybody and everybody 2 FREE TRACKS from Let the Big Dog Eat.
NO CATCH, NO EXEMPTIONS.
Just listen to samples on any of the Sam Pace websites, and pick the two songs you like the most. Then you can email us at:
We will send the MP3s right back to you within 24 hours.
So many exciting things on the horizon for year two, including the debut album from Sam Pace and the Gilded Grit! (Due out in early 2012)
Get your free music now! This offer ends December 1st.
Peace and Love,
the Big Dog
"I KNOW SOMETHING"
October 3, 2011
Here's a recent addition to youtube featuring the opening track on LTBDE:
THE BIG BOOTY BOOGY
September 13, 2011
Here's a glimpse of the Gilded Grit performing live- this song is an original instrumental called "The Big Booty Boogie"- shake it if you got one!
THE GRIT INSIDE OUR 105 DEGREE PRACTICE SPACE
September 8, 2011
Left to Right: Sam Pace, Jake Causey, Patrick Sanderson
ANTIQUATED RODEO
September 6, 2011
This piece, by Wendy Cross, is entitled ""Antiquated Rodeo". It is available for purchase at her website: www.wendycross.com.
Wendy says: "I listened to your music and this image came to mind. I guess it was based primarily on 'Wind Blows'."
Thanks Wendy for this moving creation!
NEW SHOWS ADDED!!
August 29, 2011
There's going to be lot's of exciting things in store this fall, including plenty of chances to catch the Big Dog and the Gilded Grit LIVE. Check the SHOWS section regularly to stay up to date on all our live performances!
TRIBAL ART
August 17, 2011
Please enjoy this fabulous painting from Sam Pace fan Beth Marie. Inspired by the music, she created this piece of art, which in turn, inspires me.
You can check out more of her work at: hackartbybeth.blogspot.com, or on Facebook at "Another Great Artist (Beth Marie)".
Thanks again Beth!
THE BAD NEWS & THE REALLY GOOD NEWS
August 15, 2011
An audible has been called regarding the approach of our new band; and you- the listener- may be interested in how this will affect you.
The bad news is that the Gilded Grit will not be releasing its first original album at the turn of the New Year, as was originally the plan.
The good news is that the Grit will be releasing a Prequel to the album- which will be available for free download on Thanksgiving Day, 2011.
This Prequel project will include deep-cut covers done in wild new ways. It will also involve a highly unique recording method aimed to distinguish our sound: we intend to use a singe mic for the entire process.
We believe by using this method we can capture the pure and authentic sound of a rock n' roll band in its fetal stages. The dynamic will include the passion and revelry of live performance, as well as the precision and refinement of studio recording.
The material will pay homage to our deep-rooted foundation, and be a turbo-charged breath of electrified fresh air that we hope music lovers of all ages, sizes and styles will be excited about.
With this adjustment we can get more music to you faster, and for free.
We cannot wait to share our first efforts with you and know this will be the beginning of a wonderful adventure.
THE BAND NAME
July 27, 2011
Anyone who’s had to choose a band name before knows it’s one tough nut to crack. You’re trying to be nonchalant without being half-assed, silly without being corny, righteous without being pretentious.
And then, when you finally have that perfect name- guess what? It’s taken.
My band mates and I went through the gauntlet of this process and came out with something we feel is a custom fit. Our new band name is as follows:
Sam Pace and the Gilded Grit
We are three-piece rock n’ roll unit comprised of myself on guitar and vocals; Patrick Sanderson on bass, and Jake Causey on drums. Jake and Patrick have been a joy to work with thus far- their youth, dedication, and raw talent keep me inspired and on my toes.
We are very excited about our new namesake and look forward to upholding the broad convictions by which we stand.
As the weeks and months pass, we will be cultivating our identity before your eyes and encourage you to become active participants in the development of this exciting new project.
The Grit’s first show is Thursday, August 25 at Headhunters in Austin, TX, so come on out if you’re in the area. And hopefully we’ll be seeing the rest of you in the very near future!
Keep in touch through our social networks and email list, and we’ll be sure to keep you updated on all the Gritty details.
Until next time, stay hungry.
SAM PACE AND THE ....... ?
June 29, 2011
...... that is the question.
We have been hard at work creating the next chapter of American rock n' roll, and we are racking our brains for the perfect band name.
If you suggest something we dig on, and we actually use your suggestion- free Sam Pace merch for life!
Email your suggestions to
Joke names are also welcome..... let's see what you got!
ART FROM A FAN
June 17, 2011
Sam Pace fan Casey Inman created this wonderful painting in support of the music. check out more of her work at: http://sechzehn.deviantart.com.
Thanks Casey!
EXPLORING THE RAW DOG MISSION
June 9, 2011
Beginning a new artistic project, especially one intended to be large in scale, is both daunting and enthralling.
If you are a confident artist, you have a glimmering and naïve notion that not only will you create something wonderful, but that the process will be a smooth and joyful jaunt through the park.
And just when things are peachy, the bird flying over you shits in your eyes and you slam into a tree full speed- leaving you dazed, blinded, and with no idea where you are or where you’re going.
But eventually you regain consciousness, wipe the shit from your eyes, and slowly but surely continue down the path you were on.
The highs and lows that come with genuine craftsmanship are inevitable and unforgiving- but it’s part of the gig and there’s no point in brooding over the nature of the process.
So let’s talk about what will come from the process this time around.
Without direct intent, my first album became a collection of songs that speaks from one individual to another. Because I created Let the Big Dog Eat completely by myself, it quite naturally took on a very inward and self-cathartic identity. It is probably most effective when enjoyed in the context of one soul to another.
My next effort- Raw Dog- will serve a much different purpose. . It’s time for me to get the mojo bone out and start cracking people over the head with it. Quite simply, I want to help the masses get their freak on like never before.
This album will be a dose of soulful adrenaline that makes feet move and bootys bounce. It must be raw; it must be righteous; and it must be a mighty exaltation for wild-hearts to revel in for years to come. Coming up short of this is not an option.
Raw Dog will be an ode to those who have brought me to the highest of highs.
In the coming weeks I will introduce you to the people who will be helping me in my quest.
Until then, stay hungry.
RAW DOG: THE BLUE PRINT
May 24, 2011
Pencils, stencils and t-squares are all on the table, the canvas is blank, and the wheels are in motion.
For weeks I have pondered and prepared, conjured and cajoled, dreamt and desired.
The time has come to commence my next artistic venture: Raw Dog.
As the title indicates, this forthcoming collection of music will be one of raw power and sensation. It will be an electrified, hard-hitting catharsis of mojo might and gritty goodness.
Every fiber of my being will be put to use in creating this red-blooded, roaring exploration of soulful American muscle.
I intend to break the album up into two, or possibly three installments- all of which will be available over the next 20 months.
The first installment will be ready for you by the end of 2011. The question is: will you be ready for it?
BLOGTALK RADIO INTERVIEW WITH SAM PACE
April 25, 2011
TO LISTEN TO SAM PACE, PRESS PLAY AD THEN SKIP TO 66:00min MARK. (the BIg Dog interview was the second part of the 2 hour program)
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/samwatkinsrocks/2011/03/03/in-the-neon-spotlight-wsam-and-dolly[less]
INTERVIEW WITH ALWAYZ THERRO MAGAZINE
April 18, 2011
http://www.alwayztherro.com/2011/04/23/sweet-sounds-of-sam-pace/
TOOTS: THE DOCUMENTARY
April 7, 2011
The BBC recently released a documentary on one of my favorite human beings ever, Frederick “Toots” Hibbert of Toots and The Maytals.
Although the documentary is far to short for a fan like myself, and deprives me of a great deal of information regarding Toots’ early material- it is certainly a pleasant viewing.
One thing you will notice about every person they interview- including legends like Eric Clapton and Keith Richards- is that everyone is always smiling when they talk about Toots.
The documentary features some cool old footage and a lot of humorous antidotes; and of course, like any documentary about reggae, it includes a dozen Jamaican interviewees who are impossible to understand.
What is great about the movie is how straightforward it is in clarifying just how explosive a presence this reggae great was, and is.
I wholeheartedly recommend it.
*If you do decide to watch it and don’t know anything about Toots’ music- know that the documentary features a lot of music from his later years- which is all solid. But if you want to drink form the fountain of youth and have your spirit defibrillated, you must go back to his early work.
Watch here:
BIGFOOT: RUMORS AT REST, REALITIES AFOOT
March 28, 2011
Perhaps the greatest legend of our time- a legend we have dismissed and laughed about- is now staring us right in the face.
Bigfoot has long been the fodder for cynics and non-believers- a running joke with a million punch lines, a tall tale with a hundred plots.
But now, with provocative video footage surfacing in North Carolina this week, the grim realities of living with Bigfoot begin to grip us all.
While the fat cats in Hollywood stuff tripe like "Harry and the Henderson's" down our throat, we are left indifferent and unprepared for this cataclysmic event.
But I must say, this news is quite vindicating for someone like myself.
For many years I have dwelt on the immense fundamental complications that would arise when Bigfoot left his woodland setting, and imposed his stubborn, hairy will upon our peaceful urban lives.
And in that time I endured the slings and arrows that come with thinking differently, and holding true to my convictions.
But now that the time has come, all those people obsessed with things like the deficit, and healthcare, and public education- they are the fools. And I am the smart guy who is too cool to say, "I told you so."
Being the humble person that I am- always the first to extend my strong, supple hand to those who are clearly inferior in every way- I am willing to let bygones be bygones.
We must move forward and work together through this life-altering development- or else certain peril awaits us all.
Please listen to the song that I wrote some 6 months before this event transpired, "Bigfoot In The City."
You can call me a prophet if you like- but I'm just a man; a man who knew Bigfoot was coming.
TURNING 27 (Part 2: Where Were They Now?)
March 22, 2011
Here's where some people of interest were at 27:
Mark Twain was living in Virginia City, Nevada where he wrote for the Territorial Enterprise. The U.S. was in the second year of the Civil War.
Bob Marley had already made dozens of timeless recordings with Peter Tosh and the Wailers; and yet his stardom lay one year away, when the Wailers would release Catch A Fire in 1973.
Muhammad Ali was in the middle of his four-year banishment from professional boxing for his refusal to serve in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War.
Napoleon Bonaparte was the General of the French Army and doing battle with Austrian forces in Italian territory.
Once artists of impeccable talent and esteem, Peter Green and Syd Barrett were relegated to mental illness and recluse, and their incredible talents were now squandered.
Marie Curie earned her degree in mathematics from the Sorbonne, and that same year met Pierre Curie.
Jim Henson moved to New York City with his wife where the newly formed Muppets, Inc. would reside for many years.
Marilyn Monroe graced the cover of the first ever issue of Playboy Magazine.
Earnest Hemmingway completed his first novel: The Sun Also Rises.
Stanley Kubrick released his second feature film: Killer's Kiss.
Aaron Rogers won his first Super Bowl; Tom Brady won his third.
Harriet Tubman escaped from slavery twice, the second effort aided by the Underground Railroad.
Roger Waters was leading Pink Floyd through the post- Syd Barrett years with the release ofAtom Heart Mother. It was three years before the release of Floyd's monumental album: Dark Side of the Moon.
Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis gave birth to a stillborn baby girl: Arabella Kennedy.
Salvidor Dali painted one of his most famous works: The Persistence of Memory.
Sting was releasing Outlandos d'Amour with his newly formed trio- the Police.
Thomas Jefferson was a busy lawyer in colonial Virginia. He was also deeply in debt due to the lavish spending on his neoclassical mansion, Monticello.
Lady Gaga……. will not be 27 for two more years.
Jerry Seinfeld made a highly successful showing on The Tonight Show Staring Johnny Carson, leading to regular appearances on that show and others.
Clint Eastwood was landing small roles in such television series as West Point and Death Valley Days.
Lance Armstrong had just beaten testicular cancer, which had spread to his abdomen, lungs, and brain. He then began his cycling comeback by finishing fourth in the Vuelta a Espana, and was a year away from his first Tour De France victory.
There are far to many "interesting" people to list here, but see for yourself what the people who intrigue you were doing at your age.
Or maybe, in the words of Clark Griswold, you "don't give a give a frog's fat ass."
(All facts in accordance with dates and events listed on Wikipedia.com )
TURNING 27 (Part 1)
March 12, 2011
For a Rock n’ Roll musician, 27 years of age is an eerie place to be.
Starting with the soul-exchanging bluesman Robert Johnson, some of the most influential musicians of the 20th century did not outlive their 27th year. Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin, Jim Morrison, Brian Jones and Kurt Cobain all met their demise at this becoming age.
I do not intend to throw my name in the same category as these remarkable artists, nor do I intend to elicit spooky premonitions of what the next year will hold for me. Instead, I will take a moment to examine what these people had that I do not, and also what I have, that they did not.
Before I begin, I should note that perhaps the greatest hero of my life- Otis Redding- did not even reach his 27th year. The notion that I have outlived my idol, and am still a very young man, is a profound consideration.
I believe Redding is one of the most gifted artists to ever walk the earth. And yet, in the wake of my 27th year I have been given a gift that Otis was not blessed with: more time.
For an artist of my conviction, this truth holds great sorrow, great honor, and great responsibility.
Although I do not have the talent, the success, or the influence that Otis had- I’ve been given more days to live, more time to love, and more moments to cherish. If you listen to Redding’s songs “Glory of Love” and “Just One More Day,” you can hear just how much this man relished the sheer tumultuousness of life- and that each day, good or bad, is a blessing.
And so I live beyond one hero, and come to an age of peril for a handful more.
But these “Dead at 27” club members did not have their lives robbed from them like Otis did (Redding died in a plane crash in Madison, Wisconsin). These artists all had a hand in their respective undoing.
They had reached the apex of their artistic abilities, were surrounded by the ripe fruits or their labor, and appeared to have the world in the palm of their hands. But whether they died from a shotgun blast to the head, or choking on vomit in their sleep, these 27-year-olds were not happy campers when they left us.
It seems these musicians possessed a common tragic flaw: they all perpetuated the victim within themselves. Through excessive drug use and alcohol abuse, they distanced themselves from the realities that not only wound us, but also heal us. And so they fell, desperately and abruptly.
I seek not to generalize or over-simplify the loss of these artists, but to impress the notion that lessons must be learned not only from their great innovations, but also from their great mistakes.
And that brings me to me.
I have not known the success of these beautiful people (and that they most certainly were), nor have I reached the peak of my own abilities. I know neither the warmth of widespread recognition nor the luxury of great wealth; and I am yet to leave my impression on the medium that I hold so dear.
But I am a happy man.
I am frustrated and dissatisfied and anxious and angry.
But I am inspired. And like Otis says:
“Cry just a little, sigh just a little, let that ‘ol wind blow on by a little. That’s the story of, that’s the good ‘ol glory… of love.”
TIME IS ON MY SIDE... KIND OF (The Art of Waiting)
March 3, 2011
Waiting can be a dreary thing.
The sullen anxiety of limbo can disable the spirit, and fester the mind. Perhaps some are better suited for stagnation than others, but for anyone intent to grow or move- there is considerable discomfort in anticipation.
Aaron Rogers teaches us to bide our time, and be ready for opportunity when it knocks.
And so I bide my time, and ready myself for Mr. Opportunity, who must have gotten lost on the way to my house.
But I reckon he’ll find his way along sooner or later.
PROSPECTS & PERSPECTIVES
February 28, 2011
After moving into my apartment, the amusement of settling into a new life commenced. The uncertainty of each new day became a thrill rather than a burden, and Austin’s warm and vivacious nature began to reveal itself.
The prospects in this town are liberating and plentiful. Austin’s clamoring appetite enlivens the hopes of thousands of gifted musicians, and pays homage to a musician’s true badge of honor: his musicianship.
And despite the climate of a fiercely competitive industry, these thousands of musicians look out for one another, and encourage each other to follow a dream that only a select few will fulfill. They toil away with stubborn optimism and relentless vigor at the most up-hill of pursuits, and the most uncertain of endeavors.
Amidst this surplus of talent and ambition, one is forced to reflect, and inevitably ask: how do I distinguish myself?
In one week I have seen a dozen guitar players that know the Jimi Hendrix and Stevie Ray Vaughn catalogues top to bottom. I have seen them walk into crowds as they play, wowing audiences with tricks Buddy Guy used 50 years ago, and posing for iPhone pictures in the middle of a solo. And it is awesome.
So how can an out-of-town, upstart solo musician compete with such awe-inspiring performances?
The answer, I believe, lies in craftsmanship. Craftsmanship, and the artist’s pursuit of authenticity and perfection by original means, is where there is room to move.
I will not overlook the gimmicks and showmanship of live performance, as they are near and dear to my heart. But if I focus on my identity as a craftsman, and hold my artisanship slightly above my musicianship, perhaps I will find my niche.
Sam Pace & the Gilded Grit EP
LISTEN NOW!
[ Sam Pace & The Gilded Grit ]
Thursday, May 17th, 10:30pm-2am
Friends Bar
Austin, TX
Saturday, May 19th, 10pm
Red Eyed Fly
Austin, TX
