"Who and/or what is The President Lincoln?"
The President Lincoln is my musical alias, sort of like how Mark E. Smith once said, "If it's me and your granny on bongos, then it's The Fall." Except in this case the granny on bongos tends to be guitarist Pete Fussey and we sound absolutely nothing like The Fall. But you get the idea. I'm the singer-songwriter; the rest of the lineup is flexible. (NB: If you play something cool like the cello... you're in! Welcome to The President Lincoln.)
Anyway, I've just started to work on recording a new full-length album. It will have at least 10 songs (eight of them are quite good), and be available as both a digital download and a CD. I expect it to be released in the summer of 2012.
"Sounds shady. Why would I give you my money?"
How very dare you?! I've been playing music both solo and in bands for the past 15 years, I'll have you know. My first CD was released in 2002 on the fantastic indie label Nine Mile Records. OK, sure, it hasn't exactly been the most prolific 10 years on the recording front, but you don't have to rub it in. The President Lincoln is totally legit.
What I am asking of you is basically just to buy my album... only I am asking you to buy it now. Before it has been recorded.
I know, I know. It's seems like a weird thing to do. But look at it this way: you probably would have bought my CD anyway out of pity (or out of guilt for all of the free digital music you've been acquiring). By paying for it now, then you are helping to ensure that it will be a really professional quality recording that you might actually enjoy.
Of course, if you are willing and able to pay for more than just a CD. You will be:
- Be my new BFF
- Get some special bonus "gifts" as listed to the right -->, as my feeble way of trying to thank you
So thank you for even entertaining that idea (if, in fact, you are).
"OK, I'm listening. What's the plan, El Presidente?"
I would never dream of spending other people's money frivolously. This is going to be a very cheap recording project by normal music industry standards. But if all goes well, it won't sound cheap.
I'm a gadget nerd and an amateur aesthete, so there is a lot of stuff that I can do myself on the cheap in terms of home recording and design (and let's face it, we're not exactly trying to sound like Pink Floyd), but there are lots of other expenses that I'll need to hire the pros for. Here's what the projected expenses look like:
- Recording studio/engineer time for certain tricky-to-record instruments (5 days = $2,000/£1,265)
- Session musicians for parts we can't find someone to play for free ($500/£315)
- Mastering ($500/£315)
- CD pressing (Initial run of 500 = $1,000/£630)
So I am seeking generous crowdfunders like you to help offset some of the costs. As you can see, the $3,000 (£1,900) I have set as my goal will not cover all of the costs -- which is why I have opted for Indiegogo's "flexible funding" plan. In addition to working my keister off to record this album and to promote it once it is finished, I will also be investing my own money to cover whatever costs I am not able to raise on here Indiegogo.
"Count me in! What else do you need me to do?"
Well, your kind words of encouragement are always welcome. You could also put me in touch with any contacts you may have... people who may have some talent or service they could offer to the project and who would be willing to work for goodwill rather than money.
Other than that, the best thing you can do is to spread the gospel. Share this on Facebook... talk it up to friends... just generally be annoying about it. I need all the help I can get to reach my crowdfunding goal!
And for reading this far, you get treated to a nice little Velvet Underground cover.