The Drummers of Twisted Gypsy are recording an album. Capturing the sound and energy of their live drumming for Tribal Dancers.
It all started out so simple. Goofy even.
A husband that took up drumming for his belly dancing wife. A couple of friends that wanted to join in the party, drink some beers in the backyard, and maybe, just maybe, make a dancer or two dance a little harder.
It crept up on us, gradually and sneaky.
Performing live on stage for the dancers at shows and revues. (*GULP*) Going to outdoor festivals and performing for crowds. (All right... That WAS fun!) Playing for parties and haflas. (Check it out! People that we don't know are dancing!) Drumming softly around a campfire in the darkening evening. (Firelight and drums. Yeah.)
And then, it happened. Someone asked, "Do you guys have a CD?"
We said, "A CD of what?"
They meant us. A CD of our drumming. (WHAT!?!)
Once we got over the surreal dizzy spell that the question caused us, we thought, "Well, maybe."
How hard could it be? We drum, someone else presses a button. A handheld, a laptop, a microphone and home studio program. How hard could it be? We could do this!
But, it turns out, we can't. When we tried to it lacked a certain something. And
that something was good sound. Without thinking about it, we had
created a dynamic. A range of tones, overtones, harmonics, and
drones that we sort of organically fell into, simply by buying and
playing new drums that sounded good together. A frame drum, a daf, a
bendir, a dohola, a doumbek. A flute or a shaker here and there.
A couple of hybrid drums that do a lot at of that stuff all at once.
We made it up as we went.
For quite a while we took it as a great
compliment when someone would come up to us after a performance and
say, "It sounds like there are more than five of you. How do
you do that?" That is a great compliment, and listening to us
live, you can really hear a huge range of sounds. But that simple,
cheap microphone does a terrible job of being a human ear. It never occurred to us how truly hard it would be to record it to any standard
of quality.
So, we asked some actual musicians, and they explained that most drums need at least three microphones, each, to be properly recorded. And, the human ear automatically "mixes and masters" a lot of what it hears, so it can pick out the frame drum's drone under the heavy bumping tone of the dohola. But microphones are stupid, and so someone that knows what they are doing needs to set them up in the right places, and turn some dials, and make sure that what you play is captured. And then whatever you record needs to be mixed, again by someone who knows how, so that the cat doesn't run screeching from the room when you play it. And, once it is mixed, it needs to be mastered by, you guessed it, someone who has talent.
Or else you get a recording that sounds like it was taken from fifty feet away, through a crowd of people, with a camera phone, underwater.
When a bunch of regular guys, nerds
and geeks to a man, develop this gradual passion for their silly
little hobby something strange happens. They become serious. They
begin to think that maybe they are talented, and maybe people really
do like to listen to them, and it might just be time to answer that
question: "Do you have a CD?"
Our Twisted family
wants to be able to answer, "Yes, and it is a good one. The
best we could make."
Thank you for helping us do that. We hope that, in the coming months and years, you enjoy the album many, many times.
FAQ
-
The current plan is to have eight tracks, with a ninth track possible if someone claims "The Producer" reward in this Kickstarter.
The tracks, in no particular order, will be:Short Tribal Performance Set* (7 minute duration)
Medium Tribal Performance Set* (10 minute duration)
Long Tribal Performance Set* (12 minute duration)
*The Tribal Performance Sets will feature a fast/slow/fast format, with a very heavy pulse. These are specifically arraigned and recorded for Tribal dancers who are performing in showcases and venues. Essentially, dancers will be able to teach, rehearse, or perform to "live" drums, even when you cannot bring the actual live drummers with you.
Pomelo. (An energetic dance groove, with a bit of spice.)
Birds in the Backyard. (A sensual dance groove, with song in its heart.)
The Shuffle. (Rhythm and Blues meets the Duyek. Good things happen.)
A Bottle of Ouzo. (A drunken romp, based on the Zeybek. Stumbling, slow, and sexy.)
Hayallah. (A traditional rendition of the Sufi rhythm, excellent for framing the slow vocabulary of Tribal dancers.)
-
We anticipate a 45 - 50 minute total play length.
-
The process for recording is complicated, but the short version is: We will be recording in a live, single room, single take, ensemble style.
The long answer is a question that our producer and sound engineer, Austin Farmer, can answer more clearly. Basically, each individual drum will be recorded with three or more microphones as the drummers are set up in "stations", surrounded by cords and so on, but able to see and hear each other. There will be overall ambient microphones, that capture the "room sound" and the harmonic interactions between the drums during our playing.
So, with five drummers, each on a different style of drum, Austin's job is to place the microphones in the proper spots to maximize the quality of the recording.
Our job is to do what we do, and not sneeze. -
We play a variety of traditional drums, from everywhere. The Middle-East, Northern and Western Africa, the Caribbean, and The Mediterranean. Granted, most of those drums are made of modern materials, but they are traditional in origin.
The primary drums that we play are frame drums. Essentially, a drum that is usually played by hand and that is wider than it is deep. A lot of the frame drums we perform with add elements that create a buzz (the bendir), or a shooka (a daf), or a jingle (the drumzilla).
We also play the doumbek, and its over-sized cousin, the dohola.
Add in a few wooden percussion elements. such as wood blocks, shakers, and the cajon (box drum), and we create a very diverse, textured sound.The answer, in list form:
Frame Drum, Daf, Bendir, Doumbek, Dohola, Riqq, Cajon, Shaker, Block, and Zills. -
First and foremost:
ALL MONEY PLEDGED TO THIS PROJECT WILL GO TO THIS PROJECT.That emphasized, the short answer is: Make the album better.
The longer answer is that we will have more money for higher levels of production. That means everything from more studio time, to higher mastering quality, to more polished production values for the album jacket, cover, and interior.
As you all know, Kickstarter is an all or nothing fund raising platform, and so the wisest course of action is to simply post the project's bare minimum costs, knowing that if you meet those goals (Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!) you can complete the project, and fulfill your commitments to your wonderful, generous, and all together sexy backers.
Having meet that $2,500 goal, we hope for continued support.
If we raise from $2,500 to $3,000: We breath a bit easier.
(WOOT! We are breathing a bit easier!)Kickstarter recoups 5% of the fund raising, and Amazon Payments takes another 3-5%. So, at $2,800 we actually raise the $2,500 we were hoping for. The extra (and completely fantastic) couple of hundred dollars would go towards some "cushion" studio time. Right now we are planning on 4 hours of studio time. $200.00 more gives us another hour or two, and that means less pressure, and that means a better album.
Some of the extra money would also go towards the little stuff. It isn't sexy, but shipping and handling, license and copyright fees, taxes, and consultations with all of the above folks, add up. And, we have never done this before, so we would breath easier with that little bit of cushion.
If we raise from $3,500 to $4,000: Really awesome things happen.
(YES! Awesome things are starting to happen!)We can afford a higher level of mastering. This is a big, big dream for us. Mastering is the process of making everything on the CD sound clean, polished, and even. Basically, as you record, things in the studio change a bit. The tracks recorded in the first hour will have different volume levels than the tracks recorded in the fourth hour. Mastering evens all of that out.
Really good mastering is what we have budgeted for. Great mastering is a bit extra and we would be thrilled to be able to afford it. With the type of drums we play, and the style we play them in, great mastering is an awesome thing to be able to afford.
If we raise from $4,000 to $4,500: We save the world.
(So close! We are so close to saving the world!)This would let us go from simple black and white, plastic CD cases to the super awesome, full color, 4 panel eco-friendly album jackets. And, those jackets would have much more detailed album information, song information, acknowledgments, photos, and so on. It seems like a little thing, but it makes a big difference in how often you will pick it up, show it off, and how much you will enjoy doing so.
Thanks again for all of your support.
118
Backers
$4,836
pledged of $2,500 goal
0
seconds to go
Funding period
Jun 21, 2012 -
Jul 26, 2012
(35 days)
- First created · 1 backed
- Charles Thomas 456 friends
- Website: TwistedGypsy.com
Pledge $1 or more
4 backers
The Lucky Dollar. Thanks so much for that dollar! It might be the lucky one! All Lucky Dollar backers will receive a "Thank You" mention on the Twisted Gypsy webpage and our heartfelt thanks in helping us make this happen.
Estimated delivery: Dec 2012Pledge $3 or more
2 backers
The Button. You will get a Twisted Gypsy Button, perfect for lapels, hatbands, shoulder straps, and tote bags. And, of course, our grateful thanks and a "Thank You" mention on the Twisted Gypsy webpage.
Estimated delivery: Dec 2012Pledge $5 or more
9 backers
The Patch. You will receive a Twisted Gypsy 3" Patch, perfect for backpacks, tote bags, and drum cases. And, of course, our humble thanks and a "Thank You" on the Twisted Gypsy webpage.
Estimated delivery: Dec 2012Pledge $10 or more
25 backers
The Download. Get an mp3 Download of the Album. And, of course, our sincere thanks and a "Thank You" mention on the Twisted Gypsy webpage.
Estimated delivery: Dec 2012Pledge $20 or more
18 backers
The Album. We send you a physical copy of the CD and an mp3 Download of the Album. And, of course, our rhythmic thanks and a "Thank You" mention on the Twisted Gypsy webpage.
Estimated delivery: Dec 2012Pledge $25 or more
16 backers
The Combination. You get the whole kit. A physical copy of the CD, an mp3 Download of the Album, a Twisted Gypsy Button, and a Twisted Gypsy 3" Patch. And, of course, our combined thanks and a "Thank You" on the Twisted Gypsy webpage.
Estimated delivery: Dec 2012Pledge $40 or more
5 backers
The Tribal Bling! We will send you a hand made, personally crafted Tribal Necklace, crafted to fit you, and with your favorite colors. You will let us know the proper length, a few of your favorite colors, and a couple of your favorite metal tones, and we will make you some genuine Twisted Bling, in the same style that the Dancers and Drummers have become accustomed too. You will also get a physical copy of the CD (signed by the band), an mp3 Download of the Album, and a Twisted Gypsy button. And, of course, our shiny thanks and a "Thank You" on the Twisted Gypsy webpage.
Estimated delivery: Dec 2012Pledge $50 or more
19 backers
The Release Party. You are officially invited to the Release Party! Taking place at a super secret location in the Los Angeles area, you will be part of the celebration. There will be good food, great people, and amazing dancing and drumming. Show up, have fun, be a star. We will take care of everything else. Trust us, we are professionals at this dance and drum thing. You also get a physical copy of the CD (signed by the band), an mp3 Download of the Album, a Twisted Gypsy cloth patch, and a Twisted Gypsy button. And, of course, our celebratory thanks and a "Thank You" on the Twisted Gypsy webpage.
Estimated delivery: Dec 2012Pledge $50 or more
8 backers
The Cover Art. You will get a physical copy of the CD (signed by the band), an mp3 Download of the Album, a Twisted Gypsy 3" Patch, and a Twisted Gypsy Button. But, more importantly, you also get a signed print of the album cover, from the wonderfully talented Samantha Jorgensen. And, of course, our artful thanks and a "Thank You" on the Twisted Gypsy webpage.
Estimated delivery: Dec 2012Pledge $225 or more
1 backer All gone!
The Twisted DrumZilla # 3 of 7. We will send you the actual First Series Twisted DrumZilla # 3 of 7 that we are using for our recording sessions! Signed by the drummers. You never know, it might be a piece of history. It is for sure a wicked cool drum, and it will still have that "New Album Smell". You also get the Remo frame drum bag, a physical copy of the CD (signed by the band), an mp3 Download of the Album, a Twisted Gypsy cloth patch, and a Twisted Gypsy button. And, of course, our Twisted thanks and a "Thank You" on the Twisted Gypsy webpage.
Estimated delivery: Dec 2012Pledge $225 or more
1 backer All gone!
The Twisted Bendir # 3 of 7. We will send you the actual First Series Twisted Bendir # 3 of 7 that we are using for our recording sessions! You never know, it might be a piece of history. It is for sure a wicked cool drum, and it will still have that "New Album Smell". You also get the Remo frame drum bag, a physical copy of the CD (signed by the band), an mp3 Download of the Album, a Twisted Gypsy cloth patch, and a Twisted Gypsy button. And, of course, our Twisted thanks and a "Thank You" on the Twisted Gypsy webpage.
Estimated delivery: Dec 2012Pledge $250 or more
1 backer All gone!
The Twisted Bendir # 4 of 7. We will send you the actual First Series Twisted Bendir # 4 of 7 that we are using for our recording sessions! Signed by the drummers. You never know, it might be a piece of history. It is for sure a wicked cool drum, and it will still have that "New Album Smell". You also get the Remo frame drum bag, a physical copy of the CD (signed by the band), an mp3 Download of the Album, a Twisted Gypsy cloth patch, and a Twisted Gypsy button. And, of course, our Twisted thanks and a "Thank You" on the Twisted Gypsy webpage.
Estimated delivery: Dec 2012Pledge $250 or more
1 backer All gone!
The Twisted DrumZilla # 2 of 7. We will send you the actual First Series Twisted DrumZilla # 2 of 7 that we are using for our recording sessions! Signed by the drummers. You never know, it might be a piece of history. It is for sure a wicked cool drum, and it will still have that "New Album Smell". You also get the Remo frame drum bag, a physical copy of the CD (signed by the band), an mp3 Download of the Album, a Twisted Gypsy cloth patch, and a Twisted Gypsy button. And, of course, our Twisted thanks and a "Thank You" on the Twisted Gypsy webpage.
Estimated delivery: Dec 2012Pledge $500 or more
0 backers
The Private Party. The Twisted Gypsy Drummers will come to your place (anywhere in Southern California) for a private, two hour performance. Songs from the album, an open jam, or simply ambient rhythms for the backdrop of the best party you have ever thrown. Totally up to you. (We will do dishes, but we don't dust. December 2012 is an estimate, but we will contact you for scheduling, and so on...)
Estimated delivery: Dec 2012Pledge $1,000 or more
0 backers
The Private Hafla. The Twisted Gypsy Drummers will come to your place (anywhere in Southern California) for a private, two hour performance. And, we will bring the Dancers! Two amazing 20 minute sets by some of the most talented ATS Belly Dancers in the world. And the drummers will play songs from the album, an open jam, or simply ambient rhythms for the backdrop of the best party you have ever thrown, even when the Dancers stop to catch their breath. Totally up to you. (We brought Dancers... dishes are no longer our concern. December of 2012 is an estimate, but we will contact you for scheduling, and so on.)
Estimated delivery: Dec 2012Pledge $2,500 or more
0 backers Limited (1 of 1 left)
The Producer for Track Number Nine. Do you have a favorite rhythm? Got a special sound you want to dance to, or maybe an ambient groove that you want to fall asleep to? You get to tell us what Track Number Nine will be, and you get to name it. You will collaborate with the drummers during pre-production. Sit in on one of our rehearsals before we hit the studio, and create a groove with us. And, you will get a special mention as the "Guest Producer" in the album notes. (You must travel to us. Remember, we are drummers. Guitar solos will sound terrible if we try to play them. And, last but not least, you should name the song something nice, and polite... Not that you wouldn't, of course...We will contact you for scheduling, and so on, but this one will happen pretty quickly, because we are getting into that studio soon!)
Estimated delivery: Aug 2012
