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Funded! This project successfully raised its funding goal on May 9, 2011.

ESP vocal trio project report!

Update #1 · Oct 11, 2011 · comment
Dear ESP kickstarter supporters,

First of all, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you from the bottom of our hearts (one for each ESP member, and one from me)!

Second, before I thank you some more, and update you on how the project has been going, let me apologize for not sending you a message sooner.  I could list all the excuses (summer gigging and travel and teaching, plus lots of work on the CD), but let me save time by just saying again: we really appreciate your participation, whether it was by pre-buying the product or purchasing a  house concert or lesson or CD release-party ticket.  We will be in touch with you soon about how to start claiming your rewards.

So, what have we been up to since the Kickstarter campaign succeeded?

-We've had several coachings with Kim Nazarian, soprano vocalist of the Grammy-award-winning vocal group New York Voices.  She's helping us fine-tune the arrangements and our performances, and she's been in the studio with us as we do vocal tracks.  The voices sound more amazing than ever, in terms of blend and groove and power.  I can't wait to do another live gig and share our hard work with you on stage.

-We did two days of tracking to record the rhythm section (me on piano, Keala Kaumeheiwa on bass, Steve Langone on drums), and parts by some special guests (Eric Byers on guitar, Rick DiMuzio on saxes).  

-Then we had two days of vocal overdub sessions, so we could focus on fine-tuning the group vocal performances, occasionally doubling them for an extra-powerful sound, and spend time on the vocal solos as well, to get just the right interpretation.

-Throughout this process we've been working with master engineer Huck Bennert at a couple different studios in Massachusetts, and taking advantage of his fine ear for detail and "mixing-board-side manner" to get the best sounding tracks we can.

We have more sessions scheduled for this fall and early winter to finish up tracking, then we'll be mixing throughout the early part of next year.  

I think we mentioned in the initial campaign that the money raised was only part of the budget we need to complete the record, so other offers of pre-ordering or funding from our fans are always welcome.  Please contact us through the kickstarter site, or contact me at mshilansky@berklee.edu if you're interested, and we're talking about other fundraising endeavors, perhaps a concert, in the near future, so be in touch with us, in any case.

There were many pictures taken at the sessions, and we'll probably be posting some soon so you can see how much fun we were having.  Again, we are grateful for your support, and can't wait for you to hear this music.

Fondly and Gratefully,
Mark Shilansky (and the ladies of ESP, Emily Browder Melville, Sandi Hammond, Patrice Williamson)
75
Backers
$7,250
pledged of $6,000 goal
0
seconds to go

Funding period
Mar 24, 2011 - May 9, 2011 (45 days)

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  • Pledge $10 or more

    11 backers

    A download of the new ESP record, available before its public release.

  • Pledge $25 or more

    31 backers

    A download of the new ESP record PLUS a copy of the physical CD SIGNED by Emily, Sandi, Patrice and Mark, both before the public release

  • Pledge $50 or more

    13 backers

    A download of the new ESP record, a copy of the physical CD SIGNED by ESP & M, PLUS special thanks on the CD jacket AND one (1) complimentary ticket to a Boston area ESP CD release party.

  • Pledge $100 or more

    8 backers Limited (2 of 10 left)

    A download, a signed CD with special thanks inside, one (1) comp ticket to CD release party, PLUS A PRIVATE LESSON with any of the primary ESP members (Emily, Sandi, Patrice, Mark) in Voice or Piano or Songwriting or what have you... we will give you a lesson in something musical, tailored to your needs.

  • Pledge $300 or more

    3 backers Limited (3 of 6 left)

    WE TAKE REQUESTS, vol. 1: A download, a signed CD with special thanks inside, one (1) comp ticket to CD release party PLUS WE TAKE YOUR REQUEST. Mark and ESP will arrange the song of your choice (mutually agreed upon by all parties) and sing and play it and video-record themselves doing that, and make a youtube video of it, dedicated to YOU.

  • Pledge $600 or more

    0 backers Limited (2 of 2 left)

    WE TAKE REQUESTS PART 2: A download, a signed CD with special thanks inside, one (1) comp ticket to CD release party, PLUS, we RECORD your REQUEST and put it ON our NEW CD (we will still figure out a mutually-agreed-upon tune)!!!

  • Pledge $1,000 or more

    1 backer

    A download, a signed CD with special thanks inside, one (1) comp ticket to CD release party PLUS ESP plus Mark plays a HOUSE CONCERT at your dwelling, within a 75 mile radius of Boston.

  • Pledge $1,250 or more

    1 backer

    A download, a signed CD with special thanks inside, one (1) comp ticket to CD release party, PLUS ESP plus Mark plays a HOUSE CONCERT at your dwelling, within New England, but outside of the previously mentioned 75 mile radius.

  • Pledge $1,500 or more

    0 backers

    A download, a signed CD with special thanks inside, one (1) comp ticket to CD release party PLUS ESP plus Mark plays a HOUSE CONCERT at your dwelling, outside New England, but let's negotiate a travel budget, please.

  • Pledge $2,000 or more

    0 backers Limited (1 of 1 left)

    EXECUTIVE PRODUCER CREDIT! You get a download, a signed CD with special thanks inside, one (1) comp ticket to CD release party PLUS: Executive Producer Credit on the CD, plus you get to attend ONE recording session and we will hang with you for an evening, make you dinner, basically prodigiously thank you for helping us realize our dream.