About this project

WHAT:  I want to make a really well-produced, unified album that makes my songs sound terrific.  This represents a big step in my life and career as a musician.  I've written a group of songs that I'm really proud of; I'd describe them as indie-pop with some alt-country/old-time elements and I think that with the right production and arrangement they'll turn into an excellent album.  I hope to distribute the finished product to local radio and beyond, and play live shows to promote the record.  Who knows--maybe someone will even like one of the songs enough to include it in a film or a television show, or another artist will want to cover one!  The possibilities are endless if I make a recording that is high-quality and ready to go out into the world.

WHO: Co-producer and engineer Jerry Brown has worked with a number of great bands and artists including Lou Reed, Doc Watson, The Steep Canyon Rangers (currently touring with Steve Martin), etc.  He has a great ear and a ton of experience and will be a big part of what makes this project succeed.  Musicians that I will be hiring to play on the record include: Robert Sledge on bass (Ben Folds Five); Phil Cook on banjo (Megafaun); Rob Ladd on drums (Alanis Morrissette, Don Henley, etc); Andrew Marlin as a multi-instrumentalist (Mandolin Orange); and my great friends and bandmates Patrick Dyer Wolf (guitar), Catherine Steele (acoustic bass), Omar Ruiz-Lopez (violin/viola) and others.  These are amazing musicians by local, national, and international standards and I am honored to get the chance to work with them.

WHERE:  The Rubber Room Studio in Chapel Hill is a great local studio that combines a comfortable, supportive environment with really top-of-the-line equipment that represents the best of vintage and new gear (if you are a gear nerd, get in touch with me for more details).

WHEN: If my funding is successful, I'll begin recording in late April.  After that, the record will be mixed and mastered and made into real discs.  The album can't just sound good---it has to look good, too.  That's why I'll be enlisting my extremely talented artist friends to create beautiful and unique cover art, and why I'll be putting a lot of time and effort into the overall design of the CD. I hope that the album will be entirely finished by early summer.

HOW: With help from backers like you!  Here's out it works:  You pledge whatever amount you are willing and able to help out with. Even a small amount counts.  Pledging is through Amazon.com and is safe and easy with simple instructions. No one will ever see your pledge amount except for the project creator a.k.a. me.  If I don't reach my goal, no money changes hands.  If I do reach my goal (which is only possible with your support!), your pledge will be processed and you will receive really cool rewards that correspond to the pledge amount.

Thanks so much for your help.  I am really excited about this project and can't wait to get started.