About this project
My name is Matthew Schoening. I am an independent artist from San Francisco, Ca, and my current project is Electric Cello through a process of live looping and layering.
With this Electric Cello project, I have 3 albums to date. I am honored and fortunate to be able to say that I have received multiple national and international 5-star reviews from professional critics and reviewers, been ranked #1 on multiple nation-wide radio charts, been featured on nationally syndicated shows such as "Echoes" on NPR stations nation-wide, had my music placed on commercial television and played on international radio, performed with a professional orchestra backing me up, and much more.
Since I released my third Electric Cello album, Elements (Live and Uncut), in 2010, I have toured all over the country to great acclaim. Now, it is time to record my fourth album, and tour again in early 2012!
I am very pleased to present my 4th Electric Cello album. The tittle is TBD, but the concept is a groovy, upbeat, seamless album with recurring melodies on top of varying backgrounds. Imagine a red rose against a black background. Now imagine the same rose against a white background. It's the same rose, but with an entirely different impression and emotion. Now imagine it with a blue background! And so-on. This is a concept that I came up with about a year ago. It has been very fun to write, and I am now ready to record it. The video above is a little teaser of one of the background sections. It will give you a good sense of the energy of this album. Very groovy!
Elements was my first album that was seamless, meaning that one piece flows into the next, and so-on. I can perform the entire album live, without stopping in between movements. This new album will also be seamless, and capable of being performed live without stopping in between movements. It will also be much more up-beat than Elements (which is more mellow). It will have more of a driving beat and higher energy through the duration of the album, but there will still be a flow (not all high energy - a nice flow in and out with builds, climaxes, and breakdowns). The theme is also completely different than any of my previous albums, and I am experimenting with some new sounds with my cello (including distortion and octave pedals).
Unlike Elements, this album will be recorded in the studio. The "live uncut" recording for Elements is something I am very proud of. The audience at my recording was also incredibly quiet! However, when it comes down to it, you simply don't have the same level of control that you do in the studio. So, this album will be recorded in the studio to uphold studio quality, clarity, and control. You will really notice a difference when you put on a set of good over-ear headphones. You will notice a lot more of the intricacies of the spatial placement, movement, and clarity during the mixing process.
The recording process will commence immediately following completion of this fundraiser. If for some reason this fundraiser is not successful, it will put this project on hold until I am able to launch another fundraiser and try again. My goal is to release it in time for the winter holidays, so it can be given as a gift to friends and family. If you would also like to have a copy of this album before the winter holidays, you can help simply by spreading the word about this fundraiser, and/or contributing any amount you are comfortable with. It could be as little as $1. If 7000 people donated $1, this project would be funded!
$7k is a very small budget for a full length (60+ min) album. Fortunately, I am somewhat of a veteran at this point, so I know how to do it efficiently. Funds will go straight to the rental and/or purchase of high-end recording equipment, a hard drive dedicated to the project, recording engineering, mixing, mastering, album artwork, pressing of the albums, and the overhead for rewards.
If you help me bring this project beyond the minimum of $7k, I will be able to offer even more in return. It could include additional stops on the tour in a town closer to you (or your town). It could also include my 5th album (which I am already working on), another music video, or something else for you to enjoy!
I am offering several rewards for your contributions, ranging from digital high-quality downloads, to private live performances, to Executive Producer status and benefits.
If you donate $25 or more, you will automatically receive a numbered and signed copy of the album. For example, if 867 of you decide to contribute $25 or more, you will all get a CD that has been removed from it's shrink-wrap, numbered "x/867", signed, and dated. Nobody else will have these original, numbered CD's... Ever... Only you! The sooner you decide to contribute, the lower number you will have. #1 is reserved for the executive producer, should they decide to present themselves. Numbers 2-43 are reserved for the $300-$3500 donations.
If you are interested in the $300-$1,000 rewards, you need to look at this list and make sure that you are either in between stops (on highway route), or within 100 miles of a stop. If your town is not on this list, please feel free to message me and ask me if I am able to add your town to the list. There is no guarantee that I can, but I will consider it. I will not necessarily be performing in all of these areas (details are tbd depending on logistics, timing, and venue possibilities in each area), but I will at least be passing through:
- San Francisco CA
- Los Angeles CA
- Las Vegas NV
- Sedona AZ
- Santa Fe NM
- Austin TX
- Houston TX
- Fort Worth TX
- Atlanta GA
- Asheville NC
- Washington DC
- NYC
- Glastonbury CT
- Boston MA
- Cleveland OH
- Ann Arbor MI
- Chicago IL
- Rockford IL
- St Louis MO
- Kansas City MO
- Colorado Springs CO
- Salt Lake City UT
- Sand Point ID
- Seattle WA
- Portland OR
- Ashland OR
- Mount Shasta CA.
If you are not on this route (and I cannot add your location to the tour route), and you would like me to come to your house to do a performance of the album live, you can look at the $2500 option (only 5 available). $3500 if you are outside of the US (also only 5 available). I will come to you once my tour is completed.
If you would like to take on the roll of Executive Producer and donate $7k, you will have the title of "Executive Producer" in the album cover with your name and/or businesses name. You will also receive all rewards listed to the right, and you will get the CD numbered "1/xxxxx". You will be in the direct loop during the recording process through phone, email, and skype. I will email you mp3's of potential mixes as they are being created, and your opinion will be heavily considered when I am deciding which mix will go to mastering. You will also be included in the decision making portion of the album cover, artwork, and the title of the album. I hold all final decisions, but your opinion will be heard, heavily considered, and valued.
I want to thank you in advance for taking part, and contributing to this project! I can't wait to release my next album, and I am excited to share it with you all!
Thank you, and be well -
-Matthew-
FAQ
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This project successfully raised its funding goal on November 8.
Pledge $10 or more Pledge $10 or more
320 kbps mp3's, with digital album artwork, downloadable through my website.
Pledge $25 or more Pledge $25 or more
An autographed physical copy of one of the "first pressing" copies of the album. They will be numbered x/xxxxx (depending on how many people pre-order CD's), and signed. It will be shipped to you before it is released to the public!
Pledge $50 or more Pledge $50 or more
1 autographed, numbered CD, and 5 (yes FIVE - that is $5 for each additional CD) shrink-wrapped CD's for you to give as holiday gifts. I will also throw in some sticker/bookmarks for you!
Pledge $75 or more Pledge $75 or more
All of the above, with an ADDITIONAL 10 shrink-wrapped gift copies for the holidays. That is 15 (FIFTEEN) shrink wrapped gift CD's total, in addition to your signed and numbered copy.
Pledge $100 or more Pledge $100 or more
All of the above, your name (or business) will be printed in the cover under "special thanks", and 20 gift copies total, in addition to your signed and numbered copy.
Pledge $150 or more Pledge $150 or more
All of the above, and a t-shirt that says "I helped fund "the album name TBD"! I will sign the shirt if you like. I will need to know your size, and if you want a girly shirt, or a manly shirt.
Pledge $300 or more Pledge $300 or more
The above, plus 10 more shrink-wrapped CD's (30 total) and if you are local to any location on my tour, I will come to your house for a private listening party with you and your friends. I will introduce the album. After the album plays all of the way through, we can have a full discussion about the album. You provide the sound system on which to play the album. Be sure you are local to my tour locations or routes listed to the left! CD's should ship in December. Delivery date of the listening party will be winter/spring 2012
Pledge $300 or more Pledge $300 or more
This is option B for $300. Instead of an album preview and Q&A, you will get a 90 minute professional 1-on-1 consultation or training in person, over skype, ichat, phone, or AIM (depending on your location and timing logistics) on live looping, equipment options, signal flow, etc. **This offer is unique to this pledge only**
Pledge $500 or more Pledge $500 or more
Same as above, but I will provide my high-end sound system, and play you the high quality master tracks straight from my laptop! Be sure you are local to my tour locations or routes listed to the left! CD's should ship in December. Delivery date of the listening party will be winter/spring 2012
Pledge $1,000 or more Pledge $1,000 or more
Same as above, only instead of showcasing the high quality masters, I will perform the entire album live for you and your friends! I will also include an additional 10 shrink-wrapped CD's (40 total). Be sure you are local to my tour locations or routes listed to the left! CD's should ship in December. Delivery date of the private performance will be winter/spring 2012
Pledge $2,500 or more Pledge $2,500 or more
Same as above, only you can be anywhere in the US, and I will fly or drive to you for a private performance. I will also throw in an additional 20 shrink-wrapped CD's (60 total). CD's should ship in December. Delivery date of the private performance will be summer 2012
Pledge $3,500 or more Pledge $3,500 or more
Same as above, only you can be outside of the US. I will also add an additional 40 shrink-wrapped CD's (100 total - a $2000 value). Please contact me with your location before committing. CD's should ship in December. Delivery date of the private performance will be summer 2012
Pledge $5,000 or more Pledge $5,000 or more
All of the above, plus the title of "Executive Producer" in the album credits. You will also get a box of 200 (total) shrink-wrapped CD's (a $4000 value) to hand out to people of your choosing. I will also send you potential mixes, and album artwork trials. You will take direct part in the decision process of final mixes and artwork. I hold the final decision, but your opinion will be heavily considered in the process. CD's should ship in December. Delivery date of the private performance will be summer 2012
Project By
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My name is Matthew Schoening.I am an independent artist from San Francisco, CA. With my current project, I compose my own music that I perform on electric cello, through a complicated process of live looping and layering. I only have 2 rules for myself:
1) Everything I do has to be live, with no pre-recorded tracks.
2) All of the sounds have to be created on my electric cello.
The video above is a very small taste of what I am able to do live. For more music samples, you can visit my website: http://www.soloelectriccello.com
