Kickstarter

[Sidenote: I think if I start a Goth-Rock side project, I will name the band "Happy Black Friday."]

Upon the success of our Kickstarter campaign, Keegan & I launched directly into getting the album finished & the film editing underway.  The album is just about done...we're finalizing the masters in the next few days and then you'll all receive a link to stream the album and/or download it based on your contribution level.  I wish I had the time to send you all an individual thank you note, but life has been a whirlwind recently.  But I did take a little time out yesterday (Thanksgiving) to write this letter of giving thanks to all of you.  

Date: Thursday, November 24, 2011 -- Thanksgiving, from somewhere near Valley Forge

Dear Kickstarter Backers,

The campaign is over, the contributions are all in, and "Songs From Church Avenue" (the album & the film) are on their way to becoming a reality.  Without your support the album would've been shelved for another year, and the film probably would have taken another two years (or more) to complete.  So Keegan & I want to thank you from the bottom of our collective heart for supporting our artistic endeavor.

I admit to a tendency toward the dramatic, so please bear with me for a few paragraphs as I put this project--and your support--into the context of a great historical shift in the Artistic Paradigm.

Fifty years ago the equipment necessary to make a professional album or film would fill a whole room and was expensive enough to create a significant gap between what "professionals" and "independent artists" could create. Modern technology has narrowed that gap.  We literally have pocket-size gadgetry and the computing power that afford us the ability to create professional albums and films in our bedrooms.  

Thus, our times are highly defined by the rise of the Independent Artist.  For so many people to have the tools to create their vision is a wonderful thing, but with the leveling of the playing field comes an increase in the number of players on the field...and on the sidelines, and in the bleachers, and coming up over the hill in every direction.  The result is a paradox: the independent artist can now afford the tools to express his or her voice, but there is more noise than ever to compete with.  It is easy to get lost in the din.  

This means that now, more than ever, craft, originality, and perseverance are required of the Independent Artist.  I could wax on (wax off) about these three elements of creation for another hour, but for now let's skip to the fourth element that is important in the era of the Independent Artist:

The Support of the Independent Art Lover: that's You, folks.

In an age when the air-waves, radio-waves, and web-waves are overcome by a tsunami of content, the vox populi, the voice of the people, is king.  Think about it: with all that stuff out there to choose from, how do you decide what should get your attention & support?  You listen to your friends.  You listen to blogs and social media.  And when you find something you like, you blog about it, you post it on your social media sites, and you tell your friends.  The effect can very quickly and exponentially build to a tidal wave.  (I believe the kids call this "going viral")

Keegan & I are putting our hearts (our originality, craft, and perseverance) into this project.  That is our voice.  We know what our voice is capable of, and we're working to create something beautiful that speaks in a way that wants to be heard (and seen).  

By supporting our endeavor you have joined your voice with ours.  Your support amplifies our collective voice, so that even when we whisper in this crowded room, we know we will be heard.

Much love...
Onward, Upward...

Rev. John DeLore (and Keegan Uhl)