Our Indiegogo Campaign has ended, but you can still donate and Pre-order the CD here: 

                                      www.crystalbrightandthesilverhands.com                                                                

The Absolute Elsewhere

You are invited to escape the everyday world and journey with us to the "Absolute Elsewhere" - A place where characters spring forth from art, music and mythology. A place where artists connect and their visions merge creating a land where dreams and myths breathe and fill space. I was inspired to make my own journey after seeing Rusty's photographs that capture the essence of this enigmatic world. Each image inspired me to create a song and in turn invite a collective of musicians to help acquaint you with the inhabitants and scenery of the mysteriously beautiful "Absolute Elsewhere". Their voices and stories emerge as the process unfolds. They exist only in this place. I hope you will join us in an elsewhere that continues to unfold!

Introductions

Crystal Bright & the Silver Hands was imagined in the winter of 2009 a few years after my studies in Ethnomusicology at Florida State University and the elimination of my music and dance teaching position at the Greensboro Montessori School. I was shocked and sad, but it turned out that this is the exact thing that needed to happen to allow me to finally follow my passion of being a full time musician. At the time, I was inspired by the book "Women Who Run With the Wolves" and how its analysis of folk tales paralleled phases of my life. My first few songs and the band name "The Silver Hands" were inspired by these tales. We have recorded two albums and frequently tour throughout the US and Canada. We are contemplating a west coast and European tour as well. I love collaborating with other musicians as well as artists and performers of various disciplines.

DividingME Photography/Rusty McDonald is an Artist who creates emotive/ethereal imagery. His work exists between the seams of photography and fine art. Influenced by classical artists, mythologies, philosophy and music. Timeless in it's historical placement, elusively romantic.                                                    www.dividingme.com 

Project Summary

“The Absolute Elsewhere” has been in the works for just over a year. While that may seem excessive, a project this elaborate needed time to breathe, evolve and reveal itself. My challenge was to contemplate (with the help of Jim Boitnott) Rusty’s photographs and transform my visceral, emotional and intellectual responses into individual musical scores. I had the opportunity to grow as a composer and wrote some parts for instruments I don’t actually play. The increased orchestration also required extra “Hands” so I enlisted the talents of numerous musicians, some old friends and some new ones. The collaboration continues at the CD RELEASE SHOW on November 22nd at the Carrboro Arts Center. A circus-like atmosphere will feature amazing aerialists, acrobats, and dancers. This process has been cathartic and healing for me. The photographs and music they inspired triggered deep emotions from my life experiences.

I am so grateful to all who have shared their time and talents. Financial supporters can make this album a reality for everyone. I look forward to sharing this experience with you all!

Check out the Gallery Section above to see some of the photos!

"Crystal has been a muse, dear friend, art accomplice and one of my favorite musicians/composers. So I was deeply honored when she told me she'd like to use 13 images of mine and create pieces that revolved around them, for her upcoming album. As I've listened to these new songs emerge over the last year, I've been touched by each one. It's been quite a thrill to hear her connection to and interpretation of, the characters and stories of "The Absolute Elsewhere". Each piece is beyond any and every expectation I might have had. So rich, creative and emotive, I can't wait for others to hear what she's created, how far she's taken these stories and see them performed live. My hat's off to everyone involved!"
-Rusty McDonald

The Goal

Recording/Mixing - $5000

Mastering - $1000

Duplication/Manufacturing (1500 CDs) - $3000

Promotion/PR - $2000

Artwork/Design - $1,300

Special Indiegogo Perk costs - $1000

Indiegogo fees - $850

Stretch Goals

If we can raise an extra $2000, we can print "The Absolute Elsewhere" on vinyl.

What You Get!

I'm very excited to be using Zero Carbon Footprint Digipaks for this album, new STICKERS and a brand new T-shirt. We are also offering many other fun options, so pick your method of traveling to the Absolute Elsewhere with us, and make sure you make it to the end. 

$10 - The Time Helmet
Digital download of the new album, includes digital photographs and lyrics



$20 - Kitty Pryde Mind Slide
Digital download + physical copy of CD with photographs & lyrics (in Zero Carbon Footprint Digipaks) + New Sticker


$25 - The Trades
Digital download + autographed copy of CD with photographs & lyrics (in Zero Carbon Footprint Digipaks) + New Sticker

$30 - The Time Tunnel
An 8x12 print of your favorite photo w/ hand written lyrics on back + digital download + New Sticker

$40 - Paradox Free Time Machine
You & a friend get on the guest list for an upcoming concert of your choice and join us onstage for a song playing a drum and stumpfiddle + CD + New Sticker

$45 - Astral Projection

Customized Crystal Bright 2GB USB drive containing all 4 albums, photos, lyrics & rare unreleased tracks + New Sticker


$50 - Star Gravity Slingshot
Digital Download + autographed copy of CD + Brand New T-Shirt (Female or Male cut) + New Sticker

$65 - The Hot Tub Time Machine
Tickets & reserved front row seats for you & a friend at our CD RELEASE SHOW on Sat. 11/22 at the ArtsCenter in Carrboro + CD (Limit of 3)

$80 - The Delorean
A 12x18 autographed metal print of your favorite photo, with hand-drawn lyrics of your choosing on the back + CD + New Sticker

$85 - The WABAC Machine
Two 45 minute private music lessons (Via Skype or in person if in/near Greensboro) with Crystal on piano, accordion or saw + CD + New Sticker


$100 - Galactic Entity Time Sphere
"The Absolute Elsewhere" ART BOOK signed by Rusty & Crystal - includes all photos & lyrics plus an insert of the new CD + New Sticker


$150 - Rip Van Winkle

Field trip! Crystal will teach you & 3 friends how to find and prepare natural edible foods (see www.crystaldawnbright.com) + ART BOOK + CD + New Sticker

$225 - H.G. Wells Time Machine
Go roller skating or bowling in Greensboro with Crystal, Rusty & the band + ART BOOK + CD + New Sticker

$250 -The Butterfly Effect
Crystal will prepare a "natural edible food" dinner in her home for you plus 3 friends (see www.crystaldawnbright.com) + CD + New Sticker

$300 - Primer Time Travel Box                                                                                     A collection of 4x6 metal prints of all 13 photographs with hand-drawn lyrics on the back + CD + Sticker


$350 - Einstein-Rosen Bridge                                                                                          An evening with the band! You & a friend will join Crystal & the band for dinner before a concert, you'll both be on the guest list, you'll get to choose a cover song for the band to play (let us know ahead of time), and you'll both join them onstage for a song playing a drum and stumpfiddle + ART BOOK + CD + New Sticker 

$600 - Beam Me Up, Scotty                                                                                            6 months of holistic health consultations with Crystal, who's also a Certified Health Counselor (see www.crystaldawnbright.com) + CD + New Sticker


$700 - The Electromagnetic Island
Your own personal photography session with Rusty (who also provides the wardrobe) + ART BOOK + CD + New Sticker



$800 - The Time Warp
Crystal Bright & the Silver Hands will play a House Concert at your home + ART BOOK + Brand New T-Shirt + CD


$2000 - The Absolute Quantum Leap
Join the project! You'll have a personal photography session with Rusty (who also provides the wardrobe), followed by Crystal writing & recording a personalized song for you based on one of the photos + ART BOOK + T-Shirt + CD + New Sticker

Risks & Challenges

This endeavor is actually more than a year in composing (including six months in the recording studio). It is the culmination of my musical journey thus far. In the past we've been able to fund our records and band merchandise with show proceeds. A project of this magnitude is simply beyond those means. There is no record company or corporate sponsor to lean on. You can make the difference and bring it all to life! This is a true partnership between you and me and some incredible musicians. So please confirm your reservations and choose your method of passage to the "Absolute Elsewhere" We'll be waiting for you there!

If you can't give, PLEASE SHARE!

This is the first fundraising campaign I've done so please help me make some noise about it and SHARE, SHARE, SHARE all over the internet and with your friends and family. This will work only if our message finds people who can contribute, invest and join us on this journey!

• Please share every way you can. Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, your blog, email, and word of mouth. You can also use the Indiegogo share tools!