About this project

Dear Friends,

We recently finished recording and mixing my fifth record with my good friend and producer Mark Stockert (Brian Setzer, Danny Michel, Mark Olson) in Minneapolis. It was done in two major bursts of recording, albeit several months apart. The twelve songs were recorded to two-inch analog tape and mixed down to quarter-inch tape, using beautiful vintage tube microphones. We narrowed the tunes down to a ten song album and I think it's the best collection of songs I've put together in my ten year (ahem) career. I also believe that the best way to get to hear them would be on a beautiful, new slab o' vinyl.

Please understand that this is uncharted waters for yours truly. I've released four CDs in the past and worked hard throughout the whole process: mix and master the album, send it to the pressing company, get your boxes of CDs back, play and tour your ass off, and generally hope for the best. This time out, however, it's a different world. CD sales are crashing and digital sales/file sharing are how many people are hearing music. Some even suggest that the album as art form is dead.

I don't believe it. There are still music fans, myself included, who want to hear a complete piece of work, as conceived by the (ahem again) artist. I believe we've made that record. And so what better way to do so than on an LP?

It's not that crazy.

Vinyl sales have shown great and steady growth in the past few years and while the numbers aren't astronomical, there are those of us that believe it truly is one of the best ways to experience music. The artwork, sound, and overall aesthetic come together for the whole beautiful package and you're listening to actual sound vibrations instead of ones and zeroes! Around my household, except in the bathroom, it's all we listen to. I will, of course, admit that I do some of my best listening in my car, though. Many people use their iPods on the bus, while running, studying, etc., so most companies that press vinyl include a download (or sometimes a CD) with the record. Right now, I think we're opting for the LP with the download.

And this is where you come in, my friends. It's not an easy task getting this set of tunes out into the world. It gets pretty pricey. I have to master the album separately for vinyl and for the download (as well as the number of promotional CDs we'll make for the press). Then we have to press the album and the album jackets.

Through Kickstarter, we've found an exciting and creative way to involve friends, fans, and family in the process of releasing this music to the public. If you're still reading at this point, maybe you fall into one or more of those categories. Think of it kinda like one of those public radio pledge drives. I'm asking for your help in releasing this album. For whatever you can contribute, you will receive back a personal gift. Even if all you're able to do is pre-buy a copy of the record, I want you to understand that you helped a guy on his way. Today you could be a modern patron of the arts--keeping control of a project in the hands of the artist and participating in an innovative new way to support creative endeavors. For your effort we will reward you for your support through memorabilia, music, and access that wouldn't be there with a standard album release.

To start we're going to get 500 copies made. It will go up on iTunes and all that, as well. I'm planning on some substantial touring to get the record out to people and this should last a little while. Plus, if I run out and have to repress, that's a good "problem" to have! If we happen to exceed our goal, any of that extra money will go toward tour support, promo photos, and postage to mail records out.

If you are able to contribute to this project in some way, it will mean more than you can imagine.

yours in song,
Martin Devaney
www.martindevaney.com