I must admit I struggle with this. I play a mix. I write a lot of what I sing, and I sing a lot of trad. My new songs often sound like old songs ... so some folks don't know where to put me. Playing the Celtic venues is a help, because they are nearly always open to both - and I am comfortable playing a non-celtic song there now and then, if there's a reason to tie it in. I have more trouble in the folk world. I had one venue pissed off because I played a few "cover" songs, among my own compositions (they were trad really, and definately NOT cover, but I didn;t argue - I just won't go back).

I have to say, even as a singer songwriter - I sure do get singer/songwriter'ed out pretty quick. There's too much interest in the whiney, "I know what's wrong with; you, Mom, Dad, my old girlfriend or me"... sort of songs. Too much self focus. It looses prety damn quick.

Do I sound a bit cynical?

;-)