About this project
This album, which I recently decided to call "The Cymbal Crashing Clouds", is now three years in the making. Most of the work is already behind me. In the beginning I set out to write an album of parables. I wanted to hear what ordinary things had to say to me (and you). So I wrote about seasons, about piano lessons, about city buildings. I wrote about injury and illness and heartache. I wrote a song about a train whistle and a song about the game of Hearts. I wrote about Brian Wilson alone in his room and Paul McCartney in day-glo blue. You know, normal suburban stuff.
And now that the writing is done, I wonder whether there's anything special at all about the concept. Maybe every record you've ever heard is just a collection of parables after all! The only difference might be that I tried my best to give you a little less (you're welcome?)--to leave off the endings and let you choose what to take with you. My fondest hope is that these songs would bury themselves slyly somewhere deep in your chest and then gently explode, giving you some kind of insight or wisdom or levity at just the right moment, even if the right moment is years from now.
As for the work that's ahead of me, the production of the album, I really hope that through the orchestrations and the weird swirling sounds you'll experience even one brief moment of exultation. I've always wanted my records to sound like music and language kissing on the roller rink and then maybe flying up through the ceiling and disappearing into the clouds. Is that too much to ask?
The problem is that the whole skating rink thing ends up costing a bit. Thankfully, since I make records for a living I can cut a lot of corners. But there are some corners you just have to go the long, costly way round. That's one reason I need your help. I can't bear the financial burden, at least not all alone, all at once. I also need your help just because I need to know, as every writer needs to know, that someone is listening, that someone is on my team, that someone is waiting expectantly. It might be vain but it's true. I am thankful for your kind words over the years and for your support offered to me in various ways. And now I thank you in advance for helping me make this new record. I really really really hope you enjoy it (really), and I'll be thinking of you as I do the work.
Ben
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Funding Successful
This project successfully raised its funding goal on January 3, 2011.
Pledge $25 or more Pledge $25 or more
THE AUTOGRAPH SESSION You’ll receive my sincerest thanks AND my fondest regards. And if that’s not enough (it isn’t!), you’ll also receive the Compact Disc of TCCC signed by me (along with the Captains Courageous if that’s what you’re into.) You’ll also get the early-bird download link via email along with a download link for my first solo album, "The Ill-Tempered Klavier."
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THE BEN-SATION Add my warmest wishes to my sincerest regards, etc. You’ll also receive FOUR physical CD copies of TCCC, the early-bird download link, and a signed copy of my first solo album The Ill-Tempered Klavier along with a downloadable version of ITK.
Pledge $75 or more Pledge $75 or more
THE BEN-SATION Add my warmest wishes to my sincerest regards, etc. You’ll also receive FOUR physical CD copies of TCCC, the early-bird download link, and a signed copy of my first solo album The Ill-Tempered Klavier along with a downloadable version of ITK.
Pledge $100 or more Pledge $100 or more
THE BOSS So. Now you’re hitting the Big Time. Now you’re rolling deep and even strangers are calling you Mr. Big (the hair band?). As The Boss, you’re entitled to everything above, and you’ll also be listed as an Executive Producer on The Cymbal Crashing Clouds. So you’ll basically be a record label bigwig. Can we still be friends?
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THE CONCERT PROMOTER A 30-minute SKYPE concert. You pick the songs, you pick the order. Heck, you can even call for costume changes (no you can’t). The time is yours. You can invite friends, charge admission, sell popcorn. You’re the promoter. We put a limit on this one because it’ll get time-consuming real fast. But if you can get in on it, we’ll have a good ole time and you’ll also get everything else listed in THE BOSS package.
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THE STUDENT It’s time for piano lessons. But none of the panic-inducing hand-slappery of Mrs. VanLangingham’s living room. This is just two people talking. We can talk piano but we can also discuss songs, recording, arranging--really anything musical is fair game. Of course you’ll need to know how to use Skype or iChat with video so that we can talk face to electronic face. And I should mention this one is limited to only 10 students. But if you want more than one lesson, feel free to donate again! This also includes everything in THE BOSS package.
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THE (re)MIXMASTER Are you a bedroom DJ, a Garage Band producer? At this level, you’ll receive the original digital files (bounced down to individual .wav or mp3 files) of three songs from The Cymbal Crashing Clouds for your own remixing, editing, and deconstructing pleasure. Everyone at this level will be encouraged to send me their own creations to be considered for inclusion as bonus tracks on a later version of TCCC. If your track gets chosen, you’ll be contacted and will be listed next to the bonus track as “remixed by…” How do you think Moby got his start? Of course, you’ll also be getting THE BOSS package as well.
Pledge $750 or more Pledge $750 or more
THE INSTRUMENTAL Give me a title and a brief description of who or what it’s for and I’ll compose and record a short piano piece just for you. This could make a great Valentine’s Day or Birthday gift. Or it could be your personal soundtrack (you’ll be like SHAFT!!!). And it could make that proposal (or breakup?) just that much more special. This option also includes THE BOSS package. One caveat is that I don’t think I can make sheet music for you. Piano sheet music creation makes my head spin. And then fall off.
Pledge $1,000 or more Pledge $1,000 or more
THE FULL BEN A Ben Shive concert in your living room, den, garage, youth room, pool hall, bowling alley…you get the idea. You provide the piano, the sound system (as needed), and the set list. I will provide the bald head, the glasses, the wobbly voice and the banter. This one is limited to continental US locations and will be coordinated to my schedule and affordability of airfare (I can’t go into debt on this). Includes THE BOSS package.
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THE PROFESSIONAL When you become “the Professional,” I will produce, record, and mix your song (or somebody else’s, as long as we can keep it legal). If you have more than one song you want produced and recorded then by all means feel free to donate more than once. I should point out here that you will not have the New York Philharmonic at your disposal…or even the Leiper’s Fork Jug Band for that matter. You will, however, walk away with a great sounding recording featuring some of my very talented friends and colleagues. Also, the price includes production expenses, but it does not include travel, artwork or duplication. And, lest I fail to mention, this also comes with THE BOSS package.
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Ben Shive is arriving...fast. Heretofore, there have been unsubtle hints: Andrew Osenga pronouncing Shive as his favorite songwriter, Andrew Peterson naming him as producer of The Far Country, his ubiquitous presence as a studio piano ace on a wide range of records, Sara Groves choosing him to produce her last record, and the majestic arranging of the strings for Andrew Peterson’s "Behold the Lamb of God, The True Tall Tale of the Coming of Christ." Like a fast growing wildflower, Shive seems to pop up everywhere, though always in the background. Now, the secret is out. Raise the curtain on Ben Shive.
