About this project

MY MISSION:
To build the first solar powered, "green" recording facility in New England, and maybe even the East Coast. I already own a 2,000 sq ft barn, its solar panels have already been installed, and now it's time to insulate, frame, build walls, soundproof, install flooring, install plumbing, heating, doors, and windows as well as purchase audio gear. My wife and I have spent the past six months updating our 250-year-old home with all new, low demand, energy efficient appliances - from the hot water heater and dual flush toilet down to energy rated light bulbs. Now it's time to bring that approach to the barn. I want to build it using recycled materials wherever possible - insulate with recycled denim and BioBased spray foam, purchase used furniture and equipment (which keeps it out of landfills), rely on renewable resources like cork and bamboo and use low demand, energy efficient heaters and electronics as much as possible.

BACKGROUND:
I've been a touring musician, recording artist, engineer and producer for about as long as I can remember. I've had a mobile recording setup and worked with many bands over the years. When it came time for my wife and me to buy our first house, the two things that I *needed* were to be within driving distance to New York City and Boston, as well as a barn to convert into a recording studio. When my band tours, we run our bus on waste vegetable oil, my wife and I are vegetarians, we've already begun planting our gardens here to grow our own vegetables, composting, plus we've installed solar panels. The point is we aim to keep our carbon footprint low, and live as sustainably and environmentally conscious as possible.

WHY I AM FUNDRAISING:
I'll be the first to admit that as a musician, I don't have a lot of money. Buying our home and doing all the necessary renovations has more than maxed out my financial resources. We have a mortgage, bills, insurance, student loans and the other fun responsibilities that come along with first time home ownership. I know that I will eventually build a green studio, but without some kind of outside financial help, it will happen very sloooowly in pieces and over many (many!) years. It could drag on forever and might never become the fully functional facility that I've always dreamed of owning. That's where Kickstarter and you come in. With some financial backing, I could get this studio up and running by next Winter (2010!) When I borrowed my friend's home recording tape machine at 15 years old, I knew that capturing music and bringing it to life was what I wanted to do. Now here I am, 15 years (!) later and I look out my back window and see the opportunity just waiting to become a reality.

HOW I PLAN TO USE THE MONEY:
Like with the renovations we did on our home, I plan on doing most of the labor myself and with the help of friends. I have a background in general contracting, so all the money can go towards renewable materials and not to pay people to do the work. Here is a breakdown of how the money will be spent:

- Install environmentally friendly spray foam to insulate exterior walls and floors.
- Install energy efficient roof coating.
- Build interior walls to section off "live room", "control room" and "rec room" using found and reclaimed wood. Insulate interior walls with recycled denim and sheet rock walls using boards made from renewable resources (corn, 100% recycled paper and wheat starches). I also plan to re-use all the wood that is already in the barn and try to find used doors and windows for the interior.
- Install flooring throughout building, using recycled carpet products, recycled glass tile, natural linoleum ("marmoleum"), bamboo, and wood that comes from sustainably managed forests.
- Install plumbing, a dual flush toilet and sink.
- Install energy efficient heating units: on demand hot water, a high efficiency stove, mini fridge, etc.
- Paint the interior with low VOC paints.
- Purchase as much used gear as possible - a used computer, used microphones, pre-amps and processors as well as upgrade my existing Pro Tools unit rather than purchase a new one.

IF YOU ARE A MUSICIAN / BAND, CONSIDER THIS AN INVESTMENT!
All money donated can be applied to recording costs. And I'll give you a 50% discount - so every $100 donated earns you 1 day of studio time. $500 = 5 days, $1,000 = 10 days, etc. This is a cost effective way to get your next album done, or help out a band trying to record an album. Plus you are helping me get this facility started!

I plan on keeping a video diary of this entire process and posting it on a blog and Twitter, so stay tuned.