From the Mourning of the World is the first album from the growing global network of tricksters and rebels who work under the banner of the Dark Mountain Project.
After four years of activity in which we have published books, curated festivals and other events, and seen a global network grow and flourish, we have decided to take a leap into recording our first album. Why? Because a wonderful collective of uncivilised musicians has gathered around the Dark Mountain banner over the last few years, and we want to bring together some of the best of their work, so that it can carry beyond the firesides and candlelit stages on which it was often first heard, and inspire others beyond.
Curated by Dark Mountain stalwart Marmaduke Dando and wrapped in the beautiful artwork of Rima Staines, with design from Andy Garside, our debut LP is a celebration of wild, beautifully uncivilised music from some of the best and brightest musicians of our time. We're very excited about it.
Here's the full list of musicians who have donated tracks for the album:
Jon Boden
Chris Wood
Chris T-T
Rebecca Jade
Bleak
The General Assembly
DRKMTR
The Boycott Coca-Cola Experience
Julian Gaskell and his Ragged Trousered Philanthropists
Bethia Beadman
The Murder Barn
Look Stranger
To read more about these artists and their work, and the journey of the album itself, have a look at the curator's blog.
We want to produce an album which is not only a joy to listen to, but a joy to look at, touch and hold. The Dark Mountain Project believes in creating beautiful objects that last and are touched with love. For this reason, we've chosen the highest quality vinyl for our first record, and we will enclose it in a traditional, double-gatefold sleeve. The album's artwork will be an exclusive commission from the remarkable Rima Staines.
You won't see another album like this anywhere else this year. And we're only pressing 500 copies! So you're guaranteed a unique piece of art.
We're a small, not-for-profit organisation, and we don't have the funds to produce an album from scratch. We also believe in producing our work with our network of supporters and contributors. So, as we have successfully done with our three books so far, we're seeking to raise the funds for this album by pre-selling copies, and offering various incentives.
We need £5000 to produce this album. Here's how the costs break down:
Mastering: £600
Processing of metalwork: £150
Test press + delivery: £55
500x 180gms vinyl: £450
Co-ordination fee: £500
Design: £200
Cover artwork: £400
Gatefold sleeve: £1000
Video production: £50
Postage/packaging/admin/crowdfunding fees: £1535
Total cost of production: £5000
If we raise more than the required amount, any surplus will be used to support other Dark Mountain projects such as our books, festival and smaller events.
We hope you can help us to make this happen. Thank you!
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The Dark Mountain Project began with a Manifesto in 2009. We are a global network of writers, artists and thinkers who aim to challenge the stories our civilisation tells about itself, and produce honest art and novel thinking for a culture in trouble and a world heading for the buffers.
In our four years of life, we have created a wonderfully sprawling not-for-profit organisation that has birthed three beautiful hardback anthologies of uncivilised writing and art; three Uncivlisation festivals, with a fourth on the way; and dozens of local groups and events which continue to burgeon across the world.