Kickstarter

I wasn't initially planning on working on new material for a while, until we got some financial stuff figured out, but then this song just kindof came to me.  So have a look...it's a little demo of things to come for the full length.  The Challis Effect - "Nothing Left to Say"

Hey all, I thought I would share a complete breakdown of the budget that TCE is seeking, because I believe in transparency and know that you'd probably like to know exactly where the cash is going.  So, here it is:

Physical production of the EP Haunted and Alone: $500 (through CD Baby)

Physical production of upcoming full length: $750 (through CD Baby)

Upgrade of recording software: $79 (Through Cakewalk.  I'm able to cut a corner here with a discount because I'm a registered owner of Cakewalk products. Normal price is over $100.  Far cheaper than paying a studio.)

Small merch run: $500 (Have not selected a company yet; have a few in mind but they are all pretty comparable.  This is basically for a run of shirts, stickers, etc.  Much of this will be given away for free to Kickstarter backers, close friends, loyal fans, and anyone who helped along the way.)

CD Baby Membership [1 Year]: $39 (This is by far the best online option for music distribution, as it provides distro to Google, Amazon, iTunes, etc.  We already have Bandcamp, so this is the next step.)

Office supplies/postage/flyers, etc: $200 (Mailing CDs, merch, etc. and printing off hundreds of flyers and such isn't cheap, but we've found some good deals and ways to keep costs low.)

Retainer for music placement contract: $200 (TCE is in talks over a few management and placement contracts, but most reputable ones require at least a small initial retainer for their services. )

1 Year Premium Account Membership on vampirefreaks.com: $20 (VF is the world's largest alternative music and social networking site; I'm a highly dedicated ST member and this site really gave TCE the boost it needed initially to garner a fanbase.  We owe a lot to them, and it continues to help spread our music.  Plus, it's cheap as all get out.)

Equipment budget {Strings}: $150 (This is the writing/recording budget for strings for 5 guitars, including a 5 string bass and a 12-String acoustic.)

Equipment budget {Guitar}: $350 (We're in desperate need of a new acoustic guitar.  Our friends at Mister Money of Laramie have a few Ibanez's that they are willing to work with us on.  Believe it or not, Haunted and Alone was recorded with an $80 Lauren guitar.  Imagine what we could do with an upgrade :P)

Equipment budget {PA Head}: $300 (Our current used Phonics 200W head just isn't cutting it, especially in a show environment, and is starting to malfunction.  No PA head, no shows, no practices.)

Travel Expenses: $1000 (This is basically our fund for travel expenses related to shooting a video for "Goodbye To You", as well as for a few small shows we have planned for this summer. Transportation and such is expensive, but we're able to cut a few corners due to our good Friends at Enterprise of Laramie, Here and There Shuttle, LLC of Laramie, and our friends and family in Challis, Idaho.)

Total: $4,088 (We added some headroom to this number at the advice of Kickstarter.com, for both their and Amazon's fees. Hence the final funraising request total listed on the project.)

If you have any further questions, feel free to drop me a line.

---Matthew