You can listen to a rough mix of 'Dear Santa', one of the songs I'm recording for this album, by clicking here.

Goal reached!

Around midday today (Sunday September 4) my kickstarter goal of $2200 was reached. Thanks to everyone who helped me reach it! This should cover the initial cost of recording the tracks for the CDs (and will allow me to record some bonus tracks for Internet-only release too).

I do hope that people who are interested in pre-ordering the CD, or who want one of the other rewards listed on the right, will continue to pledge. There are still plenty of expenses to come -- I have a basic estimated budget further down on the page if you're interested -- and every dollar that is pledged will help to cover those expenses.

So thanks again to you all! I look forward to mailing off your rewards in the near future!

The time for a new CD is now

Two years ago I recorded my first CD, 'Mistaken Identity', and it captured my sound at the time, consisting mostly of solo guitar-and-vocal recordings of myself. Now I have a kickass band, and a bunch of new songs, and I think it is time to record CD #2 and get good studio recordings of them!

You can hear my entire first album for free here: http://www.reverbnation.com/artist/artist_songs/655788 (where several of the tracks are also available for free download.)

To help me release album #2, click on 'Back This Project' and say how much you want to pledge and what reward you want. For $10, you're basically pre-ordering the album (and you'll get it much more quickly than people who didn't participate in this campaign). Or you can pledge more and also get one of the rewards listed on the right. Or you can pledge less than $10 and still get free admission to the CD release party, a postcard with a hand-drawn robot on it, and my undying gratitude.

The campaign ends late at night on Wednesday September 7. At that time you will be charged for the amount of your pledge, and you will be asked for whatever information I need to get you your rewards (if you asked for one).

The Music

I've got a list of songs I want to record but the final track list may differ depending on how things go. But I've got songs about a man who blames everything on public transit; a Fats Waller-inspired number about how I exclusively love each and every one of you; one about why you might want to get a robot for Christmas; a sad tale of a man imprisoned for mistreating yarn; a sort of rockabilly song about one of Rhode Island's founders, Anne Hutchinson; a song about the desirability of part-time dogs; and many others. I hope you will enjoy them!  I have a full list of songs I plan to record in the F.A.Q. below.

The Band

My band consists of me (acoustic guitar, piano, and vocals), Natalie Markward (electric guitar), and Joe Auger (drums and, on one song, mandolin). Natalie's a talented jazz and blues guitarist, and Joe is a multi-instrumentalist and a talented songwriter in his own right. Both are also members of the folk/jazz vocal group Anne's Cordial. Some live recordings of my band can be found on my demo page.

In addition to recording with them, I plan to record a few solo songs and a couple of songs with my longtime friend and collaborator Chris Monti. Jack Hanlon has also played upright bass on several tracks, and I hope to get at least one other special guest in on some tracks too. It should be fun!

The Budget

I've scheduled some recording sessions at Machines With Magnets in September and I hope to record thirteen tracks in all. After that I'll get the recordings mastered, I'll get the cover designed, and I'll get the CDs printed; all in all I think it will cost $4000-$6000.  If I make my goal that should cover the recording expenses and put me in a good position to complete the project. Above that and you'll be helping to get the recordings mastered, the CD cover design completed, the CDs duplicated, and the musicians paid. You will also have the option to receive one or more rewards in return for your donation; see the list on the right for those options.

Additionally, if it all works out, I'll plan to have release parties in Rhode Island and in central Massachusetts, and if you're in the area, I hope you will come by and celebrate the thing you have helped bring into being!

I should note that, the way Kickstarter works, only successful projects are funded. If you make a pledge and I don't manage to raise enough to record the CD then you won't be charged a dime. This helps to guarantee that your money will not be wasted!

I should also note that I appreciate all pledges, no matter how big or small. If you only have a dollar to spare, but you want to help the project, then please do! I am grateful for whatever support you can offer.

Pictures Of Some Of The Prizes

I have previously mailed out some postcards with robots drawn on them. Here's one I particularly liked:

And here's an apple pie I made:

A simple slipper knitted by me:

Stegosauruses designed and knit by me:

And a knitted diplocaulus I also designed and knit:

One of the CW Roelle cheese wire drawings I own:

The other prizes will have to be left to your imagination, at least for now!