Updates:
We achieved our goal and the vinyl edition will happen.
A big thank you to all backers and supporters. You dub!
Even though we didn't completely achieve our advanced goal for a 180g vinyl edition, I will get the album out on 180g nonetheless.
If you visit the page only now and missed the deadline, fear not: You can still join the fun. There are still 3 different pre-orders available:
1. Digital edition: 10 Euros
2. Vinyl edition: 20 Euros + shipping
3. Distribution deal: 8 x vinyl for only 120 Euros + shipping
There are no additional perks and goodies available anymore and no more name-dropping on the cover and website.
The next steps:
December:
DONE *The songs are getting professionally mastered.
DONE *The artwork for the cover, labels, posters and everything else will be finished.
*Non-release perks and goodies like digital catalogue and posters will be delivered.
January:
*The files will be send to the pressing plant.
Early Spring:
*The records will hopefully be pressed in time for the release date 4th May 2018. However: I have no control over the queue at the pressing plant. A delay may occur or not.
April/May:
*Pre-orders will be shipped immediately after arrival of the records in chronological order.
*Vinyl orders which include download (pre-orders on Indiegogo or my website) will get a digital download code for Bandcamp on 4th May 2018.
*Digital-only orders will be delivered on 4th May 2018 via Bandcamp-download codes.
Thanks again each and everyone for your support, positiveness and helpfulness!
Yay, we made it. Making a happy face in front of the transmitter to the Andromedub galaxy:
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The original campaign's pitch:
Imagine that you and I are sitting on the terrace of a coffee house, drinking some beverage and talking about my record label and the upcoming album "Escape Velocity". It's a nice day; the sun is shining. A bird is tweeting sweetly in the tree behind us. It might be a grey-headed chickadee. You start the conversation:
"Tell me about your project Dub Flash."
On 4th May 1998, the "Dub Flash" website went online. It was the first website in the history of the internet dedicated to Dub music. Dub is a sub-genre of Reggae: meditative, with a deep bass, flying echos and spacious effects. Dub Flash is my tribute to this wonderful music.
The website grew into the "Dub Information Portal", a record label, a distribution and an online shop. I also did a lot of DJ gigs throughout Europe, alongside artists like: MoonBass Hi+Fi, Dubateers, Charlie P, Vibronics, Paul Fox, Trulaikes, Jah Roots Hi-Fi, Intergalaktik Sound...
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People meditatively steppin' to a Dub Flash DJ set.
Real life required me to shift my focus away from music for a while and things got a bit quiet around Dub Flash during the last years. But I never stopped loving Dub and in 2017, the label's official revival was well appreciated by the fans.
For the 20th anniversary in May 2018, I will release DFR020: "Escape Velocity", a compilation with tracks by various artists who have accompanied me on my dubwise journey through the years and who have contributed in one way or another to my love of Dub music such as: Jah Warrior, Dubcreator, Inspirational Sound, Adrian Sherwood, Lee Scratch Perry, Ghetto Priest, Gaggeldub, The Process, Sir Larsie I, AB-10 and more.
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Gatefold cover of DFR020 V. A. "Escape Velocity" (preview version)
The release is ready in digital format. I have 20 tracks, some in Vocal & Dub style, some as standalone Dubs. However, the album is destined to be a double vinyl LP. Dub and Reggae are analog music and belong on vinyl. For that...
"...you need my help."
Yes. Dub Flash was always about the love of Dub music. I invested all of my money into records, gigs, running the website and releasing music of (mostly) newcomers. Artists like: Social Living Sound, Slimmah Sound, Gary Clunk or Intergalaktik Sound are now well-known.
I currently work as a lowly paid football coach for refugees and immigrants in Finland, a country where football has about the same significance as fistball in Germany. (Yes, fistball is an actual sport.) I don’t have the funds to cover the costs for releasing the album on vinyl.
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My immigrants football team and I (on the left).
I need proper mastering of the songs and I want the mastering master Russ D. to do it. I also want high quality vinyl production. My long-term vinyl partner Duophonic would be the right choice for that. There will also be additional costs like sending copies to the artists etc.
"I see. So, tell me [sips on drink] why exactly should I help you out?"
Because Dub is the all uniting music. The only. The One!
The main reason why I hope that you back my project is that you get 20 wonderful pieces of Dub music for your listening pleasure on a beautifully designed double vinyl LP. Have a listen at this audio snippet of the album, introduced by voice artist Marike Otto (you can continue reading and scrolling down while listening to the snippet in the background):
Sounds pretty neat, don't you think? How's your drink?
"Tasty. I'm intrigued. What would I have to pay and what would I get in return?"
- For 10 Euros you can pre-order a digital copy of the album.
- For 20 Euros + shipping you can pre-order one copy of the vinyl album (+ digital copy).
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This is a preview of the cover artwork (front side) of the album.
There are also additional goodies and gimmicks available:
- Rewards from 5 Euros up include a name-dropping on the official release’s website and on the inside of the cover (or inlay in case there are too many backers to fit on the cover). The names will be sorted from highest donations to lowest donations and chronologically (first come, first mentioned).
- For 25 Euros you get a t-shirt. That's for friendly people who want to support us, but are not interested in the music.
- For 30 Euros + shipping you get the LP, a digital copy & 2 exclusive bonus dubs in digital format ("War" & "Fluidub" versions).
- For 50 Euros + shipping you get the LP, a digital copy, the bonus dubs & a unique copy of the release-poster, individually designed by artists like Timo Vaittinen or Dirk Büttner.
- For 60 Euros + shipping you get the LP, the two bonus dubs and the complete digital Dub Flash catalogue for download.
- For 80 Euros, you get the 30 Euros perk + the two bonus dubs pressed on a bonus 7".
- For 100 Euros + shipping you get all the above perks.
On top of that, there are two options for distributors or friends who want to team up:
- For 150 Euros + shipping you get 8 copies, the digital version and the name-dropping.
- For 450 Euros + shipping you get 30 copies, the digital version and the name-dropping.
And finally, there is one special offer for the Dub-connoisseur:
- For 300 Euros, the "Dub Flash Allstars" (featuring artists from this release) produce a song for you. It will come in vocal & dub style or in two dub versions, depending on what idea we get (max. 6 minutes per version). You will receive two mastered WAVE-files, 1 individually pressed 10" vinyl-copy and the rights to release the versions.
(Please note: This perk does not include a copy of the "Escape Velocity" album.)
Shipping costs:
Digital-only perks are shipping-free.
Within Germany: 5 Euros flat rate (parcel), no matter how many copies.
Rest of the world: 10 Euros (registered airmail letter). Exception: The postage for the distribution offers depends on your country. You can find the prices during the checkout process. (Keep in mind that you might have to pay import taxes.)
"I like how dedicated you are. How many gold nuggets do you need?"
Four for my minimal plan. Have a look at this shiny graph which I carry around in my jacket's pocket next to the bag of eucalyptus bonbons. Want one?
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Minimal goal: double vinyl release
4.000 Euros
for mastering, 2xLP, 300 copies, 140g black vinyls, 4c gatefold cover and other costs
Stretch goal 1: heavyweight
4.500 Euros
for mastering, 2xLP, 300 copies, 180g black vinyls, 4c gatefold cover and other costs
Stretch goal 2: triplet
5.500 Euros
for mastering, 3xLP, 300 copies, 180g black vinyls, 4c gatefold cover and other costs
Stretch goal 3: the more, the merrier
7.000 Euros
for mastering, 3xLP, 500 copies, 180g black vinyls, 4c gatefold cover and other costs
Should we reach even higher heights, I have more ideas, for example:
- Add an exclusive bonus 7" for backers
- Make the third vinyl pictured
- Organise a record release party
I will update the stretch goals, should it come to that. Let's focus on the four nuggets first though. What do you think? Are you in?
“This all sounds great and I’d love to help but what if I’m just a poorman stylist?”
I understand. You can help nonetheless by sharing, caring and spreading the word. Indiegogo has some handy tools for sharing at the top of the page. Any friendly help is appreciated!
“What if I could donate, but I don't want to use Babylon System’s payment methods?”
Contact me tomorrow and we will figure out a way to get you a copy of the release.
“OK. I trust you and Indiegogo and I will support your project. When and how will I receive my record(s)?”
The official release date for "Escape Velocity" is 4th May 2018. However, the actual release date depends on the queue at the pressing plant which can (and will) be several months. Thus, a dub-delay might occur. I will keep you up-to-date.
“I'll keep my turntable warm until then. Is there any risk for me if I support your project?”
None that I could think of. If the project is successful, you get your reward(s). If the project is unsuccessful, you get your money back. If the LP gets funded, it will definitely happen.
“Alright, I'm in! Can I ask further questions later?”
Sure. Contact me by e-mail or on Facebook. You can also subscribe to my newsletter on www.dubflash.com, follow me on Twitter and watch Dub Flash clips on YouTube.
Thanks for the conversation. Your beverage is on me. I hope that I have excited you about Dub Flash’s 20th anniversary release as much as I am. Or even beyond. See you around!
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Dub Flash at the controls. The antenna streams the set live to the Andromedub galaxy.
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