Our debut recording is so close as we reach our first $10K hurdle. Thanks, Backers! We're aiming for $20,000 for the 180 GRAM vinyl LP!
Hello Everyone,
We are The Smoke & Mirrors Percussion Ensemble (http://smokeandmirrorsensemble.com/), a group of passionate percussionists who all currently study at The Colburn School, and we would like to invite you to take a closer look at what we are all about. We are the grown-up versions of those kids who were always banging on pots and pans, driving everyone at the dinner table crazy because we couldn't stop tapping our forks. We are true lovers of sound, transforming both ordinary objects and sensitive concert instruments into mediums of sonic expression. Our childhood enthusiasm for sound has been honed over the years into an artistic vocation: we use this art not only as a vehicle to explore and understand the human condition, but also to inspire social change. Through our outreach programs and benefit concerts we’ve been able to share our passion for music with people in Los Angeles. The completion of this album will help bring our music to people all around the world.
The name of our group, Smoke & Mirrors, refers to the way magicians use the power of visual illusion to make things appear other than how they are. As percussionists, we use our own version of Smoke & Mirrors to create illusions of the ear, morphing car parts into instruments and short clanging noises into sonorous melodies. Just as in a magic show, it takes a team of uniquely talented individuals to realize our illusions. Each member of Smoke & Mirrors is a unique character; and, as such, we continuously challenge one another to reach beyond our own contained world in order to grow as people and musicians. We have Joe the scientist, Derek the composer, Eddie the Maestro, Ivan the jokester, and our mama bird, Katy. Though we each work in different ways, we unite with the common goal of creating engaging music.
This album was first conceived in December of 2010. That’s when we first met with Bob Attiyeh (see video for story). From the start Bob said, “I want to record the best percussion album you’ve ever heard.” With that goal in mind we took the next 6 months to prepare ourselves for the journey ahead. At any rate, we had to wait until the summer for a block of time open up in Zipper Hall at The Colburn School. You’ll hear on the album that it was well worth the wait.
In June 2011, The Smoke & Mirrors Percussion Ensemble recorded their debut album. Music that was months in the making (at that point), we performed over the course of four days. Then, in December 2011 we performed as soloists with the Colburn Orchestra, performing Toru Takemitsu's From Me Flows What You Call Time. At that point, we completed all the recording for our debut album, Smoke & Mirrors.
Our goal with this album is to capture the sound and energy of our group in live performance. In fact, during one evening of recording we invited 50 people to sit on stage with us for a live concert recording session. If you didn’t happen to be there that evening, don’t worry because our album is completely unedited and utilizes the finest audio quality available. When you listen to this CD, you are transported back to that magical moment when the music came alive on Zipper Hall’s stage. It was Bob Attiyeh at Yarlung Records who suggested we record the album Live to Tape. We jumped at the chance to capture the authentic live sound of our percussion instruments through the medium of analog recording. Music is an art that exists for just a moment, but with recording technology we can capture that moment and bring it to you, no matter where you live. This album will allow us to bring our music to a wider audience, so we can grow as an ensemble and continue to create music.
At this stage in our story, we’ve completed the recording. With the help of Yarlung Young Artists, we have already raised $7,000 for the album, but it’s not quite enough for the release. We need to raise $10,000 more to bridge the gap and release the album. Here’s how the budget breaks down:
- Recording: $4,000
- Recording media, including RMGI 468 analog tape: $1,140
- Post production: $5,500
- Artwork and graphics: $1,800
- Glass mastering and German audiophile special alloy virgin polycarbonate CD pressing: $2,900
- Booklet printing (Paris): $1,700
(Note: if we surpass our goal and raise $20,000 we could also release the album on vinyl)
The Smoke and Mirrors Percussion Ensemble recorded in the finest quality to capture the excitement of hearing us in a live concert. By pledging this album you are becoming a part of our journey in sound creation. We thank you for taking the time to check out our Kickstarter page and invite you to take part in this process with us.
Sincerely,
Smoke and Mirrors
Joe Beribak, Edward Hong, Katalin La Favre, Derek Tywoniuk, and Ivan Wan
More Details about the album:
On this album you will hear Smoke and Mirrors members Joe Beribak, Edward Hong, Katalin La Favre, and Derek Tywoniuk and also guest appearances of Jessica Cameron on Canticle No. 3, Music for Pieces of Wood, and Sleep.
The album will include:- From Me Flows What You Call Time by Toru Takemitsu
- with The Colburn Orchestra with Gerard Schwarz
- Sleep by Eric Whitacre
- Happenstance by Derek Tywoniuk
- Canticle No. 3 by Lou Harrison
- Music for Pieces of Wood by Steve Reich
- Sonatine by Maurice Ravel, Arr. Derek Tywoniuk
- Rain Tree by Toru Takemitsu
- Nagoya Marimbas by Steve Reich
Videos of Smoke & Mirrors in performance:
Percussion Quartet by Kyle Werner
Epitaph for Control: Persons, Creatures, and Objects by Joe Beribak
FAQ
Have a question? If the info above doesn't help, you can ask the project creator directly.
92
Backers
$10,649
pledged of $10,000 goal
0
seconds to go
Funding period
Jun 28, 2012 -
Jul 28, 2012
(30 days)
- First created · 1 backed
- Joe Beribak 543 friends
- Website: smokeandmirrorsensembl...
Pledge $1 or more
2 backers
1) An mp3 download of Hymn from Happenstance by Derek Tywoniuk, and 2) you will be listed as a Smoke and Mirrors Supporter on our website and each of our 2012/13 season programs.
Estimated delivery: Sep 2012Pledge $5 or more
1 backer
1) A HI-RES mp3 download of Hymn from Happenstance by Derek Tywoniuk (with graphics and liner notes), and 2) you will be listed as a Smoke and Mirrors Supporter on our website and each of our 2012/13 season programs
Estimated delivery: Sep 2012Pledge $8 or more
1 backer
1) A HI-RES mp3 download of the complete Ravel Sonatine (3 parts), and 2) you will be listed as a Smoke and Mirrors Supporter on our website and each of our 2012/13 season programs
Estimated delivery: Sep 2012Pledge $10 or more
5 backers
1) A HI-RES mp3 download of the entire work (4 parts) Happenstance by Derek Tywoniuk, and 2) you will be listed as a Smoke and Mirrors Supporter on our website and each of our 2012/13 season programs.
Estimated delivery: Sep 2012Pledge $25 or more
20 backers
1) A copy of our Debut CD Smoke and Mirrors, 2) you will be listed as a Smoke and Mirrors Supporter on our website and each of our 2012/13 season programs.
Estimated delivery: Oct 2012Pledge $35 or more
14 backers
1) A copy of our Debut CD Smoke and Mirrors, 2) a hi-res mp3 of the entire album (including bonus tracks for download: Reich's Nagoya Marimbas and Takemitsu's Rain Tree), and 3) you will be listed as a Smoke and Mirrors Supporter on our website and each of our 2012/13 season programs.
Estimated delivery: Oct 2012Pledge $50 or more
16 backers
1) A signed copy of our debut CD, Smoke & Mirrors 2) Your name mentioned in a thank you video posted on our website 3) A HI-RES mp3 download the entire album 4) you will be listed as a Smoke and Mirrors Supporter on our website and each of our 2012/13 season programs.
Estimated delivery: Oct 2012Pledge $100 or more
11 backers
1) A signed and bound copy of the score to Happenstance 2) A signed copy of our debut CD, Smoke & Mirrors 3) Your name mentioned in a thank you video posted on our website 4) A HI-RES mp3 download the entire album 5) you will be listed as a Smoke and Mirrors Supporter on our website and each of our 2012/13 season programs.
Estimated delivery: Oct 2012Pledge $250 or more
8 backers
1) Your name will be in the album's liner notes. 2) A pair of drumsticks signed by Smoke & Mirrors 3) A signed and bound copy of the score to Happenstance 4) A signed copy of our debut CD, Smoke & Mirrors 5) Your name mentioned in a thank you video posted on our website 6) A HI-RES mp3 download the entire album 7) you will be listed as a Smoke and Mirrors Supporter on our website and each of our 2012/13 season programs.
Estimated delivery: Oct 2012Pledge $500 or more
1 backer
1) A behind-the-scenes tour of the Colburn percussion studio, including a short private concert, complete with a tea party (a Smoke and Mirrors tradition) 2) Your name will be in the album's liner notes. 3) A pair of drumsticks signed by Smoke & Mirrors 4) A signed and bound copy of the score to Happenstance 5) A signed copy of our debut CD, Smoke & Mirrors 6) Your name mentioned in a thank you video posted on our website 7) A HI-RES mp3 download the entire album 8) you will be listed as a Smoke and Mirrors Supporter on our website and each of our 2012/13 season programs.
Estimated delivery: Oct 2012Pledge $1,000 or more
1 backer Limited (4 of 5 left)
1) VIP attendance to a Street Symphony Concert, which will be dedicated to you and other $1000 pledges 2) Your name will be in the album's liner notes. 3) A pair of drumsticks signed by Smoke & Mirrors 4) A signed and bound copy of the score to Happenstance 5) A signed copy of our debut CD, Smoke & Mirrors 6) Your name mentioned in a thank you video posted on our website 7) A HI-RES mp3 download the entire album 8) you will be listed as a Smoke and Mirrors Supporter on our website and each of our 2012/13 season programs.
Estimated delivery: Oct 2012Pledge $2,500 or more
1 backer Limited (2 of 3 left)
1) Invitation to a private listening session of the master recording before it is pressed. (In Los Angeles only) 2) Your name will be in the album's liner notes. 3) A pair of drumsticks signed by Smoke & Mirrors 4) A signed and bound copy of the score to Happenstance 5) A signed copy of our debut CD, Smoke & Mirrors 6) Your name mentioned in a thank you video posted on our website 7) A HI-RES mp3 download the entire album 8) you will be listed as a Smoke and Mirrors Supporter on our website and each of our 2012/13 season programs.
Estimated delivery: Oct 2012Pledge $5,000 or more
0 backers Limited (2 of 2 left)
1) A private house show (within 75 miles of downtown Los Angeles) or a private concert streamed live online (if outside that zone) 2) You will be listed as a producer of the album in the liner notes 3) A pair of drumsticks signed by Smoke & Mirrors 4) A signed and bound copy of the score to Happenstance 5) A signed copy of our debut CD, Smoke & Mirrors 6) Your name mentioned in a thank you video posted on our website 7) A HI-RES mp3 download the entire album 8) you will be listed as a Smoke and Mirrors Supporter on our website and each of our 2012/13 season programs.
Estimated delivery: Oct 2012Pledge $10,000 or more
0 backers Limited (2 of 2 left)
1) A credit for underwriting the commission of a brand new percussion trio by Joe Beribak or Derek Tywoniuk (one for each pledger at this level), to be premiered during the 2012/13 season 2) A private house show (within 75 miles of downtown Los Angeles) or a private concert streamed live online (if outside that zone) 3) You will be listed as a producer of the album in the liner notes 4) A pair of drumsticks signed by Smoke & Mirrors 5) A signed and bound copy of the score to Happenstance 6) A signed copy of our debut CD, Smoke & Mirrors 7) Your name mentioned in a thank you video posted on our website 8) A HI-RES mp3 download the entire album 9) you will be listed as a Smoke and Mirrors Supporter on our website and each of our 2012/13 season programs.
Estimated delivery: Nov 2012
