Kickstarter

We're looking for your support to record & press vinyl of my new solo record.

Here is a little clip of what's in store: 

Over the past two years, I have been working on redefining my approach to record making.  On my last two solo records, I worked with some great musicians and friends to create records in fairly traditional ways: overdubbed material, drum kits, too many guitars, and lots of vocals!  

Upon arriving back home in California in 2010, I was inspired to try something new.  It has always been a goal to become more comfortable with musical notation and explore the possibilities of orchestral instruments.  Having been intrigued by composers like Charles Ives, Van Dyke Parks, and junior high school wind ensembles, my interest in translating musical ideas to instruments that require breath has only grown stronger. 

I was afforded the opportunity to compose new material at the MFA program in Integrated Composition and Improvisation at University of California Irvine and came up with a compelling set of songs.  I was able to meet with Van Dyke Parks, take a look at his scores, and chat with him about his approach to arranging.

The idea along the way has been to re-voice my musical ideas by getting rid of familiar sounds such as the bass guitar, drum kit, piano and acoustic guitar and replace them with things like the bass clarinet, timapni, cheap little synth, and trombone.  Another important component is to track everything live with no overdubs.  

The results have been super fresh!  It is my goal to get this music recorded by some *shredding* musicians in order to bring the music to the highest level possible.  Some of these musicians include Frank Lenz (Richard Swift), James McAlister (Sufjan Stevens), Mark Visher (Aimee Mann), and others.

Here is where you, the faithful music lover, come in!  I am looking to make this project a recorded reality.  This will take paying the shredders what they deserve, mixing and mastering the record, pressing it on vinyl, and paying for artwork to be completed.  Speaking of artwork, this will be done by Dustin Ortiz. The exciting thing about all of this is that much of the heavy-lifting has already been done!  The notes are written, the concept of cover art is done, and the players have signed on...its just a matter of finishing it all up!

I'm proud of the music and orchestrations I've come up with through this project and can confidently say that its some of the best music I've ever written.  I hope you consider supporting the project and being an integral part of the creative process. 

The Breakdown:

$2000 for musicians: 2 percussionists: $200 a piece (because they're friends!), 4 wind players ($400 a piece, because they're acquaintances!).

$2000 for production of 500 vinyl copies: $1000 for full color sleeves from VGKids, $1000 for vinyl records from Record Technology Inc. (includes tax and shipping)

$750 for mixing and mastering: this will be done by a very talented friend.

$250 for artwork: poster and album design by Dustin Ortiz

Thanks.