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Don't Be Discouraged, Peter Lehndorff's new album

Help Peter Lehndorff finish his second album, "Don't Be Discouraged!"

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Don't Be Discouraged, Peter Lehndorff's new album

Don't Be Discouraged, Peter Lehndorff's new album

Don't Be Discouraged, Peter Lehndorff's new album

Don't Be Discouraged, Peter Lehndorff's new album

Don't Be Discouraged, Peter Lehndorff's new album

Help Peter Lehndorff finish his second album, "Don't Be Discouraged!"

Help Peter Lehndorff finish his second album, "Don't Be Discouraged!"

Help Peter Lehndorff finish his second album, "Don't Be Discouraged!"

Help Peter Lehndorff finish his second album, "Don't Be Discouraged!"

Peter Lehndorff
Peter Lehndorff
Peter Lehndorff
Peter Lehndorff
2 Campaigns |
Hampden, United States
$3,833 USD 88 backers
29% of $13,000 Flexible Goal Flexible Goal
Highlights
Mountain Filled 2 Projects Mountain Filled 2 Projects

My Story  

Hello, I am a songwriter from western Massachusetts. I am about to release my second full album called Don't Be Discouraged. I'm hoping some of you will go on the journey with me and help me get this across the finish line. Times are tough out there and I totally understand if you can't. Or if you simply don't do this type of crowdfunding thing. But if you are interested I hope to make it worthwhile. 
 

In the mid-nineties, a new folk label called Signature Sounds was starting up near me in western Massachusetts. They needed graphic design. I needed recording time. The result of that trade was Love on the Line, a CD of mostly funny original songs that came out in 1996. It received airplay on some college and folk radio stations. NPR's CarTalk radio show played several songs and one song, Peugeot was included on their first music CD. I had help from friends like Dar Williams, Jeff Pevar, and many others. 

Caregiving. A few years after Love on the Line came out my wife Kathy started having problems. It started out as mood swings, anxiety, and anger. For a number of years, we were in denial about what was happening. By the time Kathy was diagnosed we knew she had inherited Huntington's Disease (HD) from her mom. HD is the same genetic brain disease that Woody Guthrie had. It became difficult to keep performing; make a living as a graphic designer, and keep an eye on her. She was finally diagnosed in 2007 and I was her home caregiver until she passed in 2015. Blogging about it helped me process what was happening. Although it may sound weird, I enjoyed being a caregiver. I am grateful for all the support I received during her illness and after she passed.

Music was my medicine. During those times I kept writing songs when I could and recorded them in my attic. Some songs were released as singles on Bandcamp, and I donated most of the proceeds to the Huntington's Disease Program at UConn Health. My hope is to continue those donations with partial proceeds from this project. 

This video was shot at Infinity Hall about five years ago. I had played at their open mic as part of my "open mic therapy tour" and they held a showcase for some performers.


 

Don't Be Discouraged

This album. Of the ten songs, a few are funny like the title song, Don't Be Discouraged and a story about my encounter with a squirrel. I love surprising people and hearing them laugh. But there are also stories that reflect my experience as a caregiver. I'm hoping some of the songs will raise awareness about Huntington's and what others are dealing with.  A few of the songs were written a while ago but never recorded professionally. I'm hoping to reach a wider audience with them.  I'm joined by a great team of musicians including my girlfriend, Sue Hill. 

  • So Far So Good. When my wife was in hospice for nearly a year, our visiting nurse said, "She is doing great. So far so good."  
  • Nothing Can Change My Love. A light-hearted love song, the chords, and melody were kicking around in my head for years.
  • The Huntington's Waltz. At a support group for caregivers, the social worker suggested I write a song about Huntington's. I wanted to explain what it was without getting too scientific. I made it into a thank you letter to a caregiver. 
  • Don't Be Discouraged. A humorous salute to pessimism.
  • It Just Depends. It is a conversation about moving forward in life after loss.
  • Guilty Survivor. Survivors' guilt is a big part of hereditary illnesses. While one sibling might inherit the gene another has to live with surviving.
     


 

  • Reunion. After my 50th high school reunion, I wanted to write a song. It is also a look back at my hometown of Fitchburg, Massachusetts. 
  • Tonight I Wish. I released a version of this ten years ago as a duet.

  • Please Mr. Squirrel (Don't eat all my granola). This is an old song I wrote probably in the 1970s. I had gone camping near Mt. Monadnock in New Hampshire and a squirrel got too friendly. 
  • Two Cents Worth. A jazz tune about giving and receiving advice.
     


 

The Players  

Peter Lehndorff – guitar, and vocals
Jim Henry – producer, engineering; guitar, mandolin, electric bass, and dobro
Sue Hill – vocals
Chris Haynes – piano and accordion
Tracy Grammer – vocals and violin
Lisa Bastoni – vocals
Paul Kochanski – upright bass
Joel Tepp – clarinet and harmonica
Lorne Entress – drums 

To CD or Not CD? I considered making an all-digital release with no CDs to store or mail out. I thought I would simply record a series of songs at home, and have Jim and other friends play and sing on them. I figured I would upload the singles and call it a day. But it turns out many folks still like to hold recordings in their hands and read the lyrics. Some folk radio stations need physical CDs and as a graphic designer, I want it to be a complete experience. This campaign will also give me an idea of how many CDs to have manufactured. I really expected to do this without asking for help. My graphic design business had been doing well. I figured I could record most of it at home and planned on trading graphics for some parts of the project. Once Covid came my graphic design business evaporated with a few emails from some long-term clients.

Using a producer. My friend, Jim Henry is producing the album. We met at open mics and were both in the Boston Acoustic Underground in the early 90s. He helped me edit my lyrics and rethink some of the arrangements and kept us on a schedule. We intended to record everything at his studio but once Covid hit we stopped.

Enter Plan B.  I re-recorded my vocals and Sue Hill's harmony vocals. Other musicians are recording at their own studios. Jim is assembling and editing the different parts into a cohesive whole and adding his guitars and other parts. Although it is a small intimate album I am still committed to having it sound great.

This crowdfunding campaign. I will have updates about the songs, the stories behind them, and some info about the different performers. Even if you are a streamer on Spotify there is a way to support the project and still get the lyrics and liner notes emailed to you. I'll have combo packages with Love on the Line, and some of my digital collections. I am considering having an online listening party. I'll play the recorded song and talk about it and what went into it.

Release parties? Before the pandemic musicians would try to book CD release parties at folk clubs with a band to back them up. Unfortunately, many venues are not opening yet and there are established artists that are trying to get rebooked when the clubs reopen. The good news is that I have a pretty decent live streaming setup and my attic can be my virtual venue shows. I'm hoping some of you may want to have me do a private virtual house concert on Zoom. If you've got other ideas or want to give me your Two Cents Worth. I might just listen.

Note that if the campaign does really well I might be able to rent a place and have a concert probably near Easthampton or Northampton MA where most of the musicians live. I would livestream it to supporters or record it on video.

Budget? 

No one will be getting rich. Jim and I have already taken care of the general recording,  production consulting, and Jim's own instrumental work. I designed Jim’s wonderful book, 50 Pro Tips for Musicians, and in return, he's helping me out with the recording. That saved a ton of money, plus it was fun. And since I'll be designing and illustrating my own packaging and that will save another thousand or so. There are also expenses charged by IndieGoGo like transaction fees, and a percentage and I'll pay taxes on the proceeds. I'm sure I am missing things.

"The big print giveth and the small print taketh away." ~Tom Waits.

The Basics budget: $7100 (to finish and manufacture CDs)
$3000 – Musicians (see players above)
$1500 – Mixing (assembling all the parts, fine-tuning, cleaning, and polishing) 
$600 – Mastering (to polish the recording and help the songs sound perfect as a group)
$2,000 – Manufacturing CDs and shipping (some of these will get sent to radio stations)

The Aiming Higher budget: $13,000 (includes radio promotion and publicity) 
$3500 – Radio marketing and publicity. The CD or digital downloads will be sent to 200 folk radio stations. Some get actual CDs mailed to them others want digital files. I might also do a separate campaign for one or more of the songs as singles if budget permits. 
$2400 – Release concert! This will pay some of the musicians and possibly rent a venue for a safe concert. I would hope to live stream the concert to all of my supporters or do a simple video of it.

Risks and challenges: What's happening?

The Music. My vocals and guitar parts are "in the can", as they used to say. The other musicians are finishing up their vocals and instrumental flourishes. As the parts come in Jim continues building the mix, adjusting little timing things, and fixing what needs fixing. Sometimes cutting and pasting. Then we keep listening to see if anything needs to be added or subtracted. When that is done he will do a final mix. Then it gets mastered. That helps the ten songs sound like they belong together. At the very least it keeps the volumes all the same.

Meanwhile. I need to get the packaging ready and raise money to publicize it. Once the album is complete, the challenging task begins to get this music out into the world! I'll try to do some lyric music videos, and I'll work to publicize the music online. Hopefully, you'll follow me on Facebook, and share the music campaign. Once the CDs are manufactured I need to pack them up and mail them out.

Thanks for everything.

PS.  As you look over at the "perks" you may wonder what an Instant Audience is. Here is a little video explanation.

 

 

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Choose your Perk

Huntington's Waltz — Single

Huntington's Waltz — Single

$5 USD
Download The Huntington's Waltz single when it is released and I will send you a pdf of the lyrics. All funds (minus IndieGoGo fees and various transaction fees etc.) will go to the Huntington's Disease Program at UConn in Farmington, CT. Contact me if you are interested in a separate donation to UConn Health.
Included Items
  • Download of Huntington's Waltz
  • Huntington's Waltz lyrics pdf
0 claimed
Down by the Stream

Down by the Stream

$10 USD
Many people are consuming music on streaming platforms like Spotify, Apple Music and Amazon Music. If you do and want to support my music I will email you a custom formatted set of lyrics and liner notes.
Included Items
  • Don't Be Discouraged: Notes
2 claimed
Don't Be Discouraged: download

Don't Be Discouraged: download

$15 USD
A digital download of "Don't Be Discouraged" in your choice of file formats. A download of the booklet with lyrics and credits and stories about the songs.
Included Items
  • Don't Be Discouraged: Notes
  • Don't Be Discouraged: digital
14 claimed
Don't Be Discouraged CD

Don't Be Discouraged CD

$25 USD
A signed copy of the "Don't Be Discouraged" compact disc, with a lyric book and liner notes about the songs. Plus a digital download of the songs and a pdf of the liner notes.
Included Items
  • Don't Be Discouraged: Notes
  • Don't Be Discouraged: digital
  • Don't Be Discouraged: CD
17 claimed
Ships to United States of America
 CD and "Be Nice to Me" pin

CD and "Be Nice to Me" pin

$30 USD
A few years ago I made up a pin that reads "Be Nice To Me . (Or I'll write you into a song)." A few people were asking about them. Well, someone mentioned it and I found a few more. It comes with a copy of the "Don't Be Discouraged" CD, and a download of the album as soon as that is available. The pin is 2.25" in diameter.
Included Items
  • Don't Be Discouraged: Notes
  • Don't Be Discouraged: digital
  • Don't Be Discouraged: CD
  • Be Nice To Me pin
7 out of 20 of claimed
Ships to United States of America
Download Derby: 3 albums

Download Derby: 3 albums

$35 USD
Three digital collections: 1) Don't Be Discouraged: with downloaded liner notes. 2) Demo versions: the songs from the new album in earlier forms, recorded at home. 3) The Songwriter Who Went Undercover: six songs you have probably heard of like Biding My Time, Whistle While You Work, and Help Me, Rhonda with four songs written by friends.
Included Items
  • Don't Be Discouraged: Notes
  • Don't Be Discouraged: digital
  • Download of Demos
  • Covers collection
2 claimed
New: Earthquake Detector! +CD

New: Earthquake Detector! +CD

$40 USD
What's Shakin'! For friends in earthquake areas or large trucks: The Don't Be Discouraged Earthquake Detector. If you see my eyes rollin', you better get goin'! Size about 3.5" x 2.25. Mounted on a piece of wood. Size varies because I prefer to keep my fingers intact. Hand-made and it shows.
Included Items
  • Don't Be Discouraged: Notes
  • Don't Be Discouraged: digital
  • Don't Be Discouraged: CD
  • Google Eye Earthquake Detector
2 claimed
Ships to United States of America
CD plus Love on Line CD

CD plus Love on Line CD

$45 USD
Both of my actual CDs: Don't Be Discouraged (2022) and Love on the Line (1996). Plus digital downloads of both albums and a pdf of the liner notes for Don't Be Discouraged. Both signed. I have a limited quantity of "Love on the Line."
Included Items
  • Don't Be Discouraged: digital
  • Don't Be Discouraged: CD
  • Love on the Line: CD
4 out of 25 of claimed
Ships to United States of America
New: Two Lyric Blocks +CD

New: Two Lyric Blocks +CD

$45 USD
Words to live by. Two quotes from "Don't Be Discouraged" are mounted on pieces of wood. Two lyric blocks. "Don't be discouraged, it's bound to get worse." AND "2 can live as cheaply as 1 for about half the time." Put them on a shelf to remind you to enjoy the moment. Approximately 3.5" x 2.5" Sizes vary because I don't want to cut off my fingers.
Included Items
  • Don't Be Discouraged: Notes
  • Don't Be Discouraged: digital
  • Don't Be Discouraged: CD
  • Two Lyric blocks
0 claimed
Ships to United States of America
Don't Be Discouraged—Two CDs

Don't Be Discouraged—Two CDs

$50 USD
Be Doubly Discouraged. Two signed copies of the "Don't Be Discouraged" CD. Also with digital downloads.
Included Items
  • Don't Be Discouraged: Notes
  • Don't Be Discouraged: digital
  • Don't Be Discouraged: CD (2)
1 claimed
Ships to United States of America
Peter's Instant Audience + CD

Peter's Instant Audience + CD

$65 USD
"Peter's Instant Audience" is an electronic noisemaker that applauds you at the touch of a button. If you are an attention-loving introvert like I am, you'll want one. Comes with a signed copy of "Don't Be Discouraged." (See the explanation video at the bottom of the campaign story.)
Included Items
  • Don't Be Discouraged: Notes
  • Don't Be Discouraged: digital
  • Don't Be Discouraged: CD
  • Peter's Instant Audience!
3 out of 10 of claimed
Ships worldwide.
Credit where credit is due!

Credit where credit is due!

$100 USD
Have you ever wanted to have your name in the liner notes but don't want to actually have to put out a record? Have I got a deal for you! You'll get thanked in the liner notes of the CD and the downloaded notes too. You'll also get a copy of the download and a signed CD.
Included Items
  • Don't Be Discouraged: Notes
  • Don't Be Discouraged: digital
  • Don't Be Discouraged: CD
  • Your name in the credits
4 claimed
Private Zoom Concert and a CD

Private Zoom Concert and a CD

$300 USD
Let's have a release party! I will perform a one-hour concert for you and your friends from my attic on Zoom. I'll sing songs from the album as well as some of my other tunes.
Included Items
  • Don't Be Discouraged: Notes
  • Don't Be Discouraged: digital
  • Don't Be Discouraged: CD
  • Private Zoom Concert
0 out of 10 of claimed

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