Hi!
We are 10 String Symphony from Nashville, TN. We love you and music. And we are using indiegogo to combine our two loves.
10 String Symphony started out as two fiddle players making a little extra cash busking together on Broadway in downtown Nashville. Christian grew up playing classical violin to Neil Young records, and had moved to Nashville to pursue music after quitting a corporate job in Washington, DC. Rachel had followed her favorite old time and bluegrass fiddle traditions to Nashville from her hometown of Chicago, IL. Often it was just the two of us and so we tried to find ways to create a full band sound in order to attract a good crowd on the noisy streets. Eventually, we began to really enjoy the challenge of using 5-string fiddles to their fullest potential - both with instrumental tunes and to arrange vocal music. Busking led to gigs, national and international touring, and a self-titled 8 track record in 2012. After two and half years as a band, we have arrived at a new, more developed sound, a focus on original songs (and even the occasional clawhammer banjo), but we still draw on our original vision of pushing the 5-string fiddle to it's fullest potential.
We are now in the process of making our second album, and we could not be more excited to share our newest sounds with you. We have a lot of new material, as well as some songs you may have been hearing on the road for a little while that have yet to be recorded.
With your help, we will be able to record, mix, and master this album, pay our amazing producer, physically create the albums, and get the word out in a real way. This project is an important next step for us as a band, and we are so grateful to have you all along for the ride.
Goals!
Our goal is to raise 20,000 to fund our record. Crowdfunding allows us to raise that money by giving our music, experiences, gifts and merchandise directly to you. We are working independently, and will retain all creative and financial control over our record. This is an artist friendly-first model, as opposed to many record label deals. We believe that artist-friendly is also ART friendly, and that this model will allow us to make the best music we can possibly make, and bring you the most joy that we can possibly bring.
Here is another awesome part---we get to give you stuff!
Below you can see an outline of the kinds of rewards we've got in store for you. In addition to a copy of the new album, we will have new merch (hats, T-shirts and stickers). We also have some more personal rewards such as compositions for your special occasions, home roasted coffee, house concerts, or private lessons. To us, one of the best things about crowdfunding is that it can open up some great ways to get to know you and connect with you more.
Here is a specific outline of where the money we are raising will go:
3,000: Producer
3,500: Recording Costs
2,000: Mixing
700: Mastering
3,000: Physical Production
500: Artwork and Design
6,000: publicity
10-15% fees for indiegogo/credit card companies
You may notice that the overall total exceeds our goal - we will need more than $20,000 to fund this endeavor, but your help will go a long way. In advance: we cannot thank you enough - your support means the world to us.
What it all means
This record is the next big step for us as a band. We have grown so much - both as individual musicians and as a band - since our first record, released in Nov 2012. A new, longer, fuller, and more original record will allow us to tour more, build momentum and generally continue doing what we love doing: making the best music we can for all of you!
There are, of course, risks associated with any project. But we have years of experience as professional musicians and we are absolutely committed to making a great record, and making sure that every one of you who contributes or gets involved feels valued and rewarded for his or her help.
Other ways you can help
There are so many ways to support independent music, and we know that not everybody can become a financial backer. If you want to help with the campaign, you can also spread the word by telling your friends, sharing on social media, coming to a live show, or just loving music!
And that's all there is to it.