You may be asking...
Philip, what is this all about?
Well, while most of you folks were enjoying your winter breaks, I was hard at work recording an EP to release to the world. It's a collection of 5 songs that I've written over time that I feel would really give you all, the listeners, some insight into my world of music. So naturally, it's titled the "Some of Self EP". I'm planning on releasing it on Saturday, April 30th.
The trouble is, it costs a lot of money to get this EP mastered so it sounds great through your car speakers, pay fees to get my music sold on the internet like on iTunes and other outlets, and to get the EP mass produced so you can all have a copy.
Whoa, Cool! I guess this is where this site and I come in?
Why yes, it is! Indiegogo will allow you to donate money towards the production of the "Some of Self EP", and for the money that you choose to donate, there are certain rewards that you will receive. It begins with getting a copy of the EP when it comes out for donating just $5 to the cause, and goes all the way up to me traveling to you to play a home show! I won't be able to make this EP happen without your help, and I'm really excited to get my music out there for you all to hear!
So what is the money going towards?
The bulk of the funds raised will go towards putting this EP into print. My goal is to get 1,000 copies made. They're going to be printed on four panel, recycled cardboard CD wallets. The case going to look fantastic too, because I have some very talented friends that will be helping me put together some great album art for you all.
Mastering costs are pretty pricey as well. I don't want my first official release to sound like it was recorded in a bedroom, but a bedroom studio! I'm sure you'd be pretty bummed out if you were expecting to hear an amazing song, but the quality was just crummy.
Then I'll have to pay some fees to get my EP sold on iTunes, Amazon, Bandcamp, and other online music sites like those. That way, if some people like to be environmentally friendly or something like that, they can purchase just the digital files!
Whatever will be left over will go towards payment or gifts to my wonderful friends that have graciously helped me and supported me with this project. I'm just one guy, and I couldn't have done it alone. So when the EP is released, be sure to thank:
-Brian Blochl & Blue 1 Music, for graciously donating all of the recording equipment.
-Taylor Adams of River Dog Films,for putting together an excellent promotional video for the EP and for playing drums on the B-side tracks.
-Kyle Blochl, for playing bass on the B-side tracks, mandolin on the track "So Hard", and for keeping my ADD self on task during recording sessions.
-Dean Omaris, for writing the lyrics and melody of "Fearless", and for recording it with me for the B-side tracks.
-Melissa Paniagua, for traveling with me to Nicaragua and recording the track "Some of Self" at Playa de Apocentio.
-Jason Wessel, who will be assisting me with photography for the album art.
-Steve Tucci, who will master the album.
In the case that I am unable to raise the monetary goal for this campaign, indiegogo ends up taking a higher percentage of the money that should go towards producing this EP, so don't let that happen folks! Also, I'd end up having to save up the rest of the money on my own, and that'd be a much longer time than this route to get my "Some of Self EP" out to all of you!
This is great Philip! I can't wait for your EP to be released. Is there anything else that I can do to help the cause?
ABSOLUTELY! Go out and tell everyone you know about this campaign to get my EP into production. Post this page's web link on all of your Facebook friend's walls, Tweet it to every one of your followers, run through the streets with a megaphone, hyping up the release! I'd greatly appreciate any help that anyone would like to give as far as just letting people know about me and my music. If you like it, then why not pass it on, right?
to conclude...
So there you have it folks, I'm here trying to raise as much money to my goal as I can in time to get my "Some of Self EP" released to you all. Donate, pre-order the EP, or do whatever you'd like to do to help, I'll be thankful for just your time even if you don't.
Take care,
Philip H. Mancuso