Hello friends, family, musical reprobates and industry:
I spent some of September 2015 in Nashville, TN for the Americana Music Conference. I saw the strip and bolted in the opposite direction. I fell in love with the East end. Backyard record trades, vintage shops, food trucks and live music in every corner, support for the locals and artistic energy unlike one I've felt before. These were people living on the fringes of country music, abhorring the popular norms and crafting something true and real. Since long before and ever since, modern roots and alt-country have made an impact on my artistic direction in a very noticeable way.
The songs are done, crafted and ready to go. I'm going to send them out to my crack team of musicians and producer. We're going to make an album, my sophomore attempt. It's going to be called "Driving In The Dark", and I couldn't be more excited to FINALLY get into the studio.
The album is being recorded in Lethbridge at the Rebeltone Ranch, home of Leeroy Stagger. I wanted to make the gutsy roots record that's been brewing inside of me in my home province, with some of the best musicians this country has to offer.
I don't have a label behind me. I have a small amount of grant funding from ATB and I've raised a few greenbacks after sloughing away at my recently former full-time job, but I'm nowhere near my goal yet. Here's a breakdown of the kinds of cost challenges I'm facing:
Recording
- Musicians
- Engineering
- Production / mix / master
- Accommodations, travel, per diem
$18,500
Publicity
- Radio / print / online campaign (executed over 6 months)
$12,000
Pressing
- Vinyl: 500 copies
- CD: 1000 copies
$5150
Video (single)
- Producer / equipment
- Venue rental
$5300
CD Release Events, Calgary and Edmonton
$800 (not including musicians fees*)
For all of this to happen, plain and simply: I need help.
The minimum cost for me for a project of this undertaking is nothing short of substantial. Production fees, pressing, mix, master, musicians: that's merely the beginning. Album release, pre-release, video, radio single, graphic design and album layout: the pre-amble. The release night, impending three month tour and hopeful residencies out East: follow up. Showcase opportunities, travel and marketing: doing due diligence. It's an all encompassing meal deal. I've gotten some of the way there, but I need another push. This fundraising isn't just for recording, it's going towards the full meal deal of having something very professional put in your hands and shared all over.
Make no mistake: I'm not riding the pogey-pony of unemployment and waiting for my bank account to fill up, make a record and send it out. It's a fickle feeling opening your hands to the public who already supports so much on a regular basis, especially in my hometown. What I'm hoping for is that this campaign will reach beyond the borders of just Alberta. If you believe in this project even one iota as much as I do, a simple share or like on Facebook, an email to a family friend who might really enjoy this brand of alt-country music, or simply $10 brings me that much closer to my goal. I'm asking you to invest today so that I can give back later.
The amount listed is a flexible goal, meaning I can keep whatever is raised. Rest assured that every penny raised will be accounted for and used to market and produce a quality recording that I can't wait to share with you. This album means so much to me and I'm working so hard to get it ready for my friends, family, supporters and music listeners everywhere.
Take it easy, and if it's real easy: take it twice.
Cheers,
Bucks