About this project
I have ten original songs that I am recording with a fabulous backing band: Eugene Wasserman (Pablo Picasso, Violens) on bass, Jay Israelson (Patrick Cleandenim) on keys and synthetic beats, and Robert 'Chicken' Burke (The Duke and The King) on drums and percussion. Eric Gorman (whose credits include Herbie Hancock, Dead Prez, Twin Shadow) will engineer, co produce, and mix the record. Jay Israelson will engineer and co produce as well.
The record will have a magical, sparkly atmosphere, with lots of Phil Spector esque vocal harmonies, ethereal keyboard tones, and unusual rhythms. I aim to create a modern and unique take on a lush pop vocal record that is full of descriptive imagery, colorful and uplifting at once. I have found inspiration in recordings by Gal Costa, Francoise Hardy, The Mamas and the Papas, Linda Perhacs, Carly Simon, France Gall, The Ronettes, Stevie Nicks, Kate Bush, Diana Ross and the Supremes, and Marianne Faithfull.
Your contribution will assist me in funding the actual recording process, and mixing of the album. I have funding from my record label, Drag City to get me started, but require more to complete the album the way it will sound best. I have a great team of collaborators I'm working with, and want to pay them for their countless hours spent on the project and expertise. Making a pop vocal record in this style is unusual these days for 'indie' musicians- did you know that with the majority of pop vocal records, vocals are double, triple, if not quadruple tracked (the same part recorded over itself on separate takes)? That same process was used for ‘Nothing to Lose’ the song featured in the video here. I am approaching this project as an art piece, making sure I’m working with the right materials and sonic textures.
Many thanks ahead of time for your support, and I look forward to sharing the record with you.
Yours,
Sophia
P.S.: Here is a step by step run through of how to pledge if you are running into technical problems while making a donation:
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FAQ
Have a question? If the info above doesn't help, you can ask the project creator directly.
35
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Funding Successful
This project successfully raised its funding goal on December 8, 2010.
Pledge $10 or more Pledge $10 or more
handwritten 'thank you' postcard of my own design mailed to your address + your name listed in 'Thank yous' of album liner notes
Pledge $25 or more Pledge $25 or more
copy of CD + your name listed in 'Thank yous' of album liner notes
Pledge $50 or more Pledge $50 or more
copy of LP + your name listed in 'Thank yous' of album liner notes
Pledge $75 or more Pledge $75 or more
copy of CD or LP (your choice) + limited edition Sophia T-shirt (see design here: http://sophiaknapp.files.wordpress.com/2010/10/sophiashirt.jpg) + your name listed in 'Thank yous' of album liner notes
Pledge $100 or more Pledge $100 or more
magic crystal + copy of CD or LP (your choice) + your name listed in 'Thank yous' of album liner notes
Pledge $200 or more Pledge $200 or more
Tarot reading by Sophia in person or on the phone depending on location + copy of CD or LP (your choice) + your name listed in 'Thank yous' of album liner notes
Pledge $300 or more Pledge $300 or more
original piece of artwork by yours truly (collage/mixed media on paper, approx 8" X 10") + copy of CD or LP (your choice) + your name listed in 'Thank yous' of album liner notes
Pledge $500 or more Pledge $500 or more
original piece of artwork by yours truly (collage/mixed media on paper, approx 8" X 10") + magic crystal + limited edition Sophia T-shirt (see design here: http://sophiaknapp.files.wordpress.com/2010/10/sophiashirt.jpg) + copy of CD or LP (your choice) + handwritten 'thank you' postcard of my own design mailed to your address + your name listed in 'Thank yous' of album liner notes
Project By
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I was born and raised in San Francisco, CA.
I attended French bilingual school as a child. My immersion in French poetry prompted my interest in metaphor and oral tradition, and I studied painting, circus arts, and piano after school. I am fascinated and enlivened by the process of composing in all forms, though lately I have been expressing myself through music.
I moved to New York to study at the Cooper Union School of Art. I have since continued to make and show my collage and drawing based works on paper. I released two records, and toured the U.S. and U.K. with my Brooklyn based rock band with Linnea Vedder and Alana Amram, Lights: http://www.dragcity.com/artists/lights. I design album covers for other musical artists, and collaborate with other female singers in Brooklyn in a choir group/art project called Girlcrisis: http://www.youtube.com/user/GirlCrisis
I began performing my solo material live in the summer of 2009, and toured Europe with Bill Callahan performing with voice and guitar.
I moved to Austin, TX, a year ago, where I’ve been zooming in on my songwriting and enjoying swimming.
Some of my guiding stars: the work of Japanese artist Yayoi Kusama, Françoise Hardy, Kate Bush, Stevie Nicks, the musical arrangements of Jean Claude Vannier, Samuel Palmer's paintings, tarot cards, David Hockney's drawings, my experiences on tour, my yoga practice, ancient Egypt, Helmut Lang, New York City, all the colors of the rainbow, Brazilian rhythms, San Francisco psychedelic rock classics, the mystery of the ocean, and my incredible friends and family.
