About this project

Video: a new song we're working on, captured in our practice space by Kit Kohler. You can check out our second campaign video here, though it is much sillier.

After a stellar first year as a band, we are headed into the studio to create our first full length record. We couldn't be more excited to share these new songs that we've been perfecting on and off the road. We're almost ready, but we need some help to raise some funds to pay for the mastering and duplication process. That's where y'all come in! Your donations will help pay our awesome engineer Eliot for his services, and contribute to printing & distributing the album. We'll be forever grateful!

For your donation you will receive a mention in our Kickstarter THANK YOU Video and CD artwork, as well as some of the following prizes: advanced digital downloads of the new album, an EP of exclusive outtakes from the sessions, fancy autographed copies of the album, a limited edition poster, a guest list spot at a show of your choice, DVD documentary of our time in the studio, or even a private house concert for you & your pals.

You won't be charged if we don't make our goal, but if we succeed, you'll get lots of, as we say in South Louisiana, sweet lagniappe! Please consider donating, or sharing this campaign with a friend. THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT!

MODESTLY ESTIMATED BUDGET: (We've got enough saved to cover half of this, so far)

• Studio time (6 days) = $1500 (covered!)
• Mixing & Mastering = $400
• Analog tape = $150 (check!)
• Artwork - $200 
• CD Duplication = $300
• CD Jackets = $800
• TOTAL: $3,350

ABOUT THE ALBUM: The Shants - Beautiful was the Night We'll revisit a few songs from our demo EP, but we're focusing on a handful of new songs we've written in the past year or so. You can expect to hear plenty of that dusty, sleepy-South-meets-Sunny-Coast sound that we are known for. Tales of fightin' & forgivin' on dirty Baton Rouge streets, bleak winters on the plains, and a bit of hope with each new California sunrise. The title of the album, Beautiful was the Night, is taken from Henry Wadsworth Longfellow's epic poem Evangeline, a story from the expulsion of the Acadian people and the lives torn apart by history. For this recording, we're adding some string & horn textures (thanks to some talented friends) and a guest vocal or two! We are tracking at Rec Center Studios in beautiful uptown Oakland, Feb 25 - March 6.

ABOUT THE SHANTS: The Shants’ slow-burning sound originates from the rural backgrounds of its members: from South Louisiana delta pines, to the brusk plains of Minnesota to the rolling hills of the Central California Coast.

The Shants have had a truly magical first year as a band. In 2010, their demo EP, Russian River Songs (released on High Scores & Records) garnered critical praise from places like FILTER, No Depression, SF Weekly, and a healthy handful of Americana music blogs, overseas and domestic. On stage, The Shants brought their sweet and lowdown sound to bars and clubs up and down the West Coast, notably headlining venues like the New Parish in Oakland, and the Doug Fir in Portland.They shared the stage with great indie and folk acts like Basia Bulat, Eilen Jewell, and more.

http://theshants.tumblr.com/ http://facebook.com/theshants http://theshants.bandcamp.com/