Today we’d like to introduce you to Nick Jones, drummer of Strayin’ Anchors.
Hi Nick, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself
A few years ago, we traded a banged-up kayak for a drum set on Craigslist. We started having jam sessions and different musicians would come over and play. While the first few sessions we had were fun, most of the folks playing were pretty bad.
But a few individuals stuck around and wanted to continue jamming and learning songs. We were still terrible but, a friend offered us a gigging opportunity at a pizza parlor. We accepted and began preparing.
While our effort was valiant, we did an awful job at the gig, but enough people came and we got invited back. Eventually, we got a residency at Casa Maya in St. Augustine, FL. We played there twice a week for a year. By the end of it, we were still pretty bad but had improved a great deal.
We retooled slightly and formed the 7 piece band lineup that we have today. We had big plans for growth in 2020, but the COVID-19 came through and our plans were foiled, just like many other peoples. However, we began preparing all of our half-written originals and entered EWM Studios in Jacksonville, FL towards the end of 2020 to record our first studio album. This album is releasing 2/25/22 and there are currently 3 singles available on all listening platforms.
Once 2021 started, we were able to get back to playing some more shows, but it was slow going. Many venues seemed opposed to booking us for unexplained reasons, but we pressed forward and were able to create opportunities for ourselves by networking and staying persistent. In October of 2021, we got invited to the Hideout Recording Studio in Las Vegas.
Recognized as one of the top 3 studios in the world, we went and recorded our second album, which will be released in June of 2022. Since returning from Las Vegas, we finished out 2021 strong, and have moved into 2022 ready to make a statement with our music and our performances. We are getting booked onto bigger events and are beginning to make a name for ourselves.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Not at all. There have been struggles on the music side and the business side and everything in between.
Marketing is one of the biggest struggles any band faces and is no different for us. We have had members quit and rejoin, we have had musical struggles when we didn’t think we were good enough, and we have had tough time scheduling performances.
There is a number of reasons for this, as each talent buyer is different, but nonetheless something difficult to overcome.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
We are Strayin’ Anchors, a 7 piece band that plays Rock n’ Roll with heavy influences of Funk, Blues, Soul, and Psychedelia. We make people dance and have a good time, and have gained an early reputation for throwing powerhouse live performances.
That is what sets us apart, we enjoy making listeners feel good, and we hope they take that good feeling with them and spread it.
Networking and finding a mentor can have such a positive impact on one’s life and career. Any advice?
Do not cut corners and always handle tough circumstances the right way and with class. Talk to everyone.
You never know who may have a helpful connection or can help get you through an obstacle. Be able to multiple types of gigs. A 4-hour bar gig is much different than a one hour at a concert venue and is much different from a wedding, and much different from a private party.
Being able to do all these things keeps you from getting pigeon-holed and will allow networking to reach its full potential because you are able to work/play any job/gig that comes your way.
Contact Info:
- Email: strayinanchorsmusic@gmail.com
- Website: www.strayinanchorsmusic.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/strayinanchors_music
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/strayinanchorsmusic
- Youtube:www.youtube.com/channel/UC5bPEMitAWEyimBtKIFo43A
- SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/user-593213124?utm_source=clip
Image Credits
Donnie Dagley @dagpics
