200
Backers
$15,606
pledged of $15,000 goal
0
seconds to go
Funding Successful
This project successfully raised its funding goal on December 9, 2009.
Pledge $15 or more
THE PYGMY SPERM WHALE: You will receive an advance, digital copy of "The Universal Thump", including extra tracks from the album sessions.
Pledge $25 or more
THE PYGMY RIGHT WHALE: A signed, advance first edition pressing of "The Universal Thump" (ie. a real, tangible CD) plus digital downloads of extra tracks from the album sessions.
Pledge $50 or more
THE COMMON MINKE: A signed, advance copy of "The Universal Thump" (CD), plus a Limited Edition SONGBOOK, featuring all the chord charts, lyrics and photos of the making of "The Universal Thump".
Pledge $75 or more
THANKSGIVING SPECIAL - THE UNCOMMONLY HANDSOME MINKE:Same as the Common Minke, but Greta will throw in a personalized THANK YOU SONG (30 seconds or less), which she will leave on your voice mail or answering machine (this offer applies throughout the world.)
Pledge $100 or more
THE BELUGA: A signed, advance copy of "The Universal Thump" (CD), a signed copy of Limited Edition SONGBOOK, plus your name will be included in the "THANK YOU" section on the album credits.
Pledge $125 or more
NEW REWARD!!! THE DISORIENTED BABY WHALE (see article below): Specially designed, shoulder-rubbing Universal Thump" T-SHIRT! Plus a signed, advance copy of "The Universal Thump" (CD), a signed copy of Limited Edition SONGBOOK, plus your name will be included in the "THANK YOU" section on the album credits. Article about Baby Whale: http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/environment/article4562632.ece
Pledge $200 or more
THE ORCA: A signed, advance copy of "The Universal Thump" (CD), a signed copy of Limited Edition SONGBOOK, plus your name will be included in the "THANK YOU" section on the album credits. Plus, you will receive an original, personalized, HAND DRAWN ALBUM COVER (of a whale, of course) by Greta.
Pledge $300 or more
THE 'FREE WILLY': A signed, advance copy of "The Universal Thump" (CD), a signed copy of Limited Edition Songbook, plus your name will be included in the "Thank You" section on the album credits. Plus, you will receive an original, personalized, WATERCOLOUR ALBUM COVER (of a whale) painted by Greta.
Pledge $500 or more
BALAENOPTERA PHYSALUS: (Studio Patron Level). A signed, advance copy of "The Universal Thump" (CD), signed Songbook, plus your name will be included in the "Studio Patron" section on the album credits. You will be invited to attend and give feedback on a RECORDING SESSION in Brooklyn, and will likely be enticed to sing backing vocals on a song on the album. Snacks and vocal warm-ups will be provided.
Pledge $750 or more
THE BIG-WINGED NEW ENGLANDER (Backstage Pass): A signed, advance copy of "The Universal Thump" (CD), plus your name will be included in the "Studio Patron" section on the album credits. You will receive FREE ACCESS TO ALL GG SHOWS for one year following the official release of "The Universal Thump". If you are not in New York, Greta will send you a care package from NYC, including a Katz's salami, knishes and other delights. (This is a good option for all you Australians.) When Greta tours Australia next, she will alternatively provide Vegemite, Tim Tams and other delights to those in the Northern Hemisphere.
Pledge $1,000 or more
THE RIGHT WHALE: (Executive Producer Level) A signed, advance copy of "The Universal Thump" (CD), plus your name will be included in the "Executive Producer" section on the album credits. You will and a guest will receive free access to all Greta Gertler shows for one year following the release of "The Universal Thump". You will be invited to the final listening party for the album, prior to the final mastering session. Cigars and sushi will be provided.
Pledge $1,500 or more
THE HUMPBACK: (Tour Promoter Level) A signed, advance copy of "The Universal Thump" (CD), plus your name will be included in the "Executive Producer" section on the album credits. Greta and her band will come to your house and perform "The Universal Thump" live, in its entirety for you and your guests.
Pledge $1,750 or more
THE SPERM WHALE: (Tour Manager) A signed, advance copy of "The Universal Thump" (CD), plus your name will be included in the "Executive Producer" section on the album credits. Greta and her band will come to your house and perform "The Universal Thump" live, in its entirety for you and your guests. Greta will also bake you a whale-shaped cake while performing the show at your house.
Pledge $2,000 or more
KRILL BUILDING: A signed, advance copy of "The Universal Thump" (CD), plus your name will be included in the "Executive Producer" section on the album credits. Greta will write and record a song specifically for you - this could be a gift for someone close to you, a way to get back at someone, or a chance for you to express whatever you'd like to express through song.
Pledge $5,000 or more
KRILL BUILDING DELUXE: A signed, advance copy of "The Universal Thump" (CD), plus your name will be included in the "Executive Producer" section on the album credits. Greta will write and record a FAMILY ALBUM specifically for you, featuring a song about every member of your immediate family (up to 10 people).
Pledge $10,000 or more
THE NARWHAL: All of the above. Plus a set of steak knives.
Project By
Greta Gertler (The Universal Thump)
Last Login 02/04/12
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She has a spacious voice and a welcome weakness for lushly orchestrated seventies-era singer-songwriter pop."
- The New Yorker
"(A)n intriguing and ultra-talented musician on the rise, possing a "sweetly lyrical voice, an arrestingly quirky sensibility, and a chamber-pop band that fits no pigeonholes. Some hear Rufus Wainwright, other Aimee Mann. All I hear is Greta Gertler - and I like what I hear."
- Terry Teachout, Wall Street Journal
"A hot commodity on the NY scene."
- WNYC's 'Soundcheck'
Greta is a pianist, singer & songwriter originally from Sydney, Australia, whose shows range from intimate, solo piano/vocal performances to mini-orchestral affairs involving string quartets, tuba and electric guitars.
She is currently working on a new album, "The Universal Thump", with drummer/producer/multi-instrumentalist, Adam D Gold (Gutbucket, Build, Moore & Sons) - her most expansive, ambitious recording project to date.
Her debut solo release "The Baby That Brought Bad Weather" (2003) is a lush, orchestral pop album featuring over 30 musicians. It received glowing praise from press and radio, described as "one of those hoped-for revelations that emerged from the never ending pile of new releases" by Vin Scelsa (WFUV) and "a sonic revelation and lyrical treat" by John Rhodes (Headliner Magazine, Radio City Music Hall).
Her most recent album, "Edible Restaurant" (2007), features members of Slavic Soul Party! and the song 'Veselka' (NPR Song of the Day) about the much-beloved Ukrainian diner on 9th/2nd. She is now developing a musical theater piece based on songs from that album.
She has opened for Martha Wainwright, Glenn Tilbrook (Squeeze), Joan As Policewoman and Madeleine Peyroux, has a "spacious voice and a welcome weakness for lushly orchestrated pop" (The New Yorker) and was recently cited as one of NYC's Top 20 Orchestral Pop artists (Deli Magazine).
In her native land, she is a multi-platinum-selling hit songwriter, having co-penned the 'classic rock' hit, "Blow Up the Pokies" (performed by The Whitlams), which was recently listed as one of the countries Top 20 Best Songs of All Time (The Australian). Her song, "Charlie # 3" (also co-written with Tim Freedman from and a track on the breakthrough album, "Eternal Nightcap") will be performed at the Sydney Opera House by The Whitlams and the Sydney Symphony Orchestra in December 2009.
"Gertler is, at heart, a pop songwriter, but the strains of a broader musical palette can be heard throughout "The Baby that Brought Bad Weather". There are a little New Orleans swing and slow-burning torch songs, a touch of Joni Mitchell (and Robyne Dunn) and a looser approach that suggests the openness of jazz." - Bernard Zuel, Sydney Morning Herald
http://www.GretaGertler.net
http://www.Myspace.com/gretagertlermusic
Will you ever mail the physical CD?
It's been 12 months...
Happy Birthday! The album is a birthday gift to us happy listeners.
shit yeah! congrats.
Good for you!
Fantastic!!!The album's gonna happen!! I've only seen you once, at The Vanguard in Sydney, and was knocked out...I'm so glad my pledge helped you.
Yay Greta you are over the line!!! I know mine has come after the threshold but i know it will all help. I am really pleased for you. x x Tim
hey greta, good luck. my donation is part altruistic, but also part a calculating move designed to maximize my chances of playing on this record. x R
Oops, I meant Veselka...
Great show last night! My girlfriend won the Velseka dinner-for-four, so she's gonna double her pledge. Good luck!
it's gonna happen. really. very cool.
Greta!!! We are pulling for you! All of our beating hearts equal one universal thump, thump, thump, all for you and this wonderful project!
Hi Greta,
I would like to back up your certainly wonderfull project, but unfortunatly I don't have a credit card.
I wish you all the best and hope you'll reach the goal anyhow.
Frozen kisses from Berlin,
Maria
Now I'm a Pygmy Right Way! It feels right-er. I want a REAL tangible CD! Love and a thousand thumps passing around the universe, to create one gigantic thump, Amy
THANK YOU everyone for your support with this!
I am really really really grateful for your backing and also any last-minute marketing tips!
Greta xo
tripled my pledge and posted on facebook again, hopefully this will help!
Two ideas: 1) If everyone at the humble $25 or below range were to double their pledge, the project would net over $1500. 2) If all 109 backers were to post on Facebook, new pledges would surely come in.
Greta! Looking good...hope there's a mad dash to the finish line. xo Serena+Dan
It'll happen Greta. :^) Love, Jack
Go get 'em, Greta!
good luck, Greta! great idea and an excellent cause!
all the best
xo beth
Hey Greta, I just posted a pledge. If possible could you please put Danielle's name against it as a wedding present from the Sharp girls? So any incentives go to her. Will do my "own" pledge later next month. Can't wait for the new album. :) Brigette
Thank you so much guys!
How do you say "You are legends" in Italian?
Greta XO
Evviva! Good luck! in culo alla balena! :-)
I'm a Pygmy Sperm Whale! "In bocca al lupo! In culo alla balena" "Into the mouth of the wolf! Into the ___of a whale!!" (it means "Good Luck!" in Italian). So happy to help your amazing project.