About this project
Dear lovely-ers and lovely-ettes,
I've had a splendid year of touring up and down the coasts, and in-between, meeting many music lovers along the way. A lot of you have asked at one point or another when the next album is coming out, and like an overdue mother, I’m finally ready to give birth to a new record.
I've written lots of new material, some you've heard already at live shows (i.e. "Like a Woman" & "Wave Your Flag") and many more that have only been played to the birds and the bees. It’s time I took the music out of my head and shared it with you. I want to make this next record as good as I imagine it to be, and that means recording it properly. The cost of producing a record adds up quickly; a recording studio, an audio engineer, musicians, someone to mix & master the record, artwork and duplication. The right record label hasn't come along and rather than give up my creative freedom and vision, I've decided to join up with Kickstarter.com - a new site that allows fans to act as the record label, while getting great rewards and a first hand view of the process.
What great rewards? I’m glad you asked... a song written just for you, a signed acoustic guitar, your own house concert, a part in a music video, and kazoos & fedoras aplenty. This record feels like the next step in my musical journey, and with your help, this baby will come out beautifully.
FAQ
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88
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Funding Successful
This project successfully raised its funding goal on November 3, 2009.
Pledge $5 or more
Free download of my new single Wave Your Flag, & exclusive video updates and the inside scoop on the album!! (reality-record-making)
Pledge $10 or more
Name and link on derekjamesmusic.com - we'll hold hands in cyber space. (+single & all the updates:)
Pledge $30 or more
Digital copy of the album a week before its release - just promise not to share!!! & a Derek James kazoo (+all the above goodies)
Pledge $50 or more
Signed physical copy of the album a week before it's released - be one of the first to see/hear/touch the magic! Limited edition signed Derek James Record Backer poster (we're talking French artwork baby) (+all above treats)
Pledge $75 or more
Derek James limited print record backer T-shirt (your size of course, no nightgowns or spandex), plus the artful Poster & physical Signed Album (+all the above goodies)
Pledge $100 or more
Name on the liner notes in the album when it's released (Derek James would like to thank ... YOU!) and a personalized thank you letter (+all the above goodies)
Pledge $200 or more
Personally chosen DJ style Fedora (signed if you like - great to wear with a button down and no pants) + free tickets to all DJ shows for a year for you and a friend (+all the above goodies)
Pledge $350 or more
Jump ON STAGE and perform a song with me at a show in your area - we'll be like Milli Vanilli without the lipsync (+all the above - signed cd, T, Fedora ..)
Pledge $500 or more
A part in a music video from the new album - show your friends your acting skills or lack-thereof :) (+all the DJ delights!)
Pledge $500 or more
Personalized, ONE-OF-A-KIND live video of your favorite song performed & dedicated to you - pop it in the DVD player when you need a pick-me-up! (+all the DJ goods)
Pledge $500 or more
Private guitar lesson - I'll teach you how to play Free Love or some Kelly Clarkson or whatever you want (we'll schedule around touring if you're outside of the NY tri-state area or via skype) (+all the goodies)
Pledge $750 or more
I will write a song especially for YOU! – any topic you choose... A labor of love you can enjoy for eternity!!! (+all the goodies)
Pledge $750 or more
A signed acoustic guitar - I'll play it and make sure it sounds sweet ... and then you'll be ready to jam when I'm in town (+all the goodies)
Pledge $1,000 or more
The Lovely Pack (for girls, boys or dogs) – Dinner out (fancy like applebee’s or olive garden), swing dancing lesson & a personal serenade session (tri-state new york area or tour scheduled) (+all the goodies)
Pledge $1,000 or more
Spend half a day in the recording studio with a VIP front row seat of the recording process - how does all that music happen? Come see! (+all the goods)
Pledge $2,500 or more
Private acoustic concert in your home or anywhere, you make the set list & invite whoever you want...we'll sing together and drink cider! (+all the DJ treats)
Pledge $5,000 or more
Full band concert, your place or wherever you choose, you're party, kazoos for everyone! We'll rock your neighbors' roofs off! (+all the DJ delights)
Project By
Connected as Derek James (1631 friends)
Derek James wears a fedora. A Frank Sinatra, Buddy Holly, Johnny Cash sing-a-long, his boots can be heard stomping to his old-time rhythms. Having worked with producers Roger Greenawalt (Crosby/Nash, Rufus Wainwright) and Godfrey Diamond (Frank Sinatra, Kool and the Gang), Derek's retro pop sound, hummable melodies and jug-band spirit will have you swinging in your skivvies.
His song "Smoky Light," an upbeat ragtime toe-tapper, was recently featured on the Travel Channel. Derek's songs have also been featured on MTV, Lifetime, A&E, and the upcoming "Nude America the Movie." He has performed with Blues Traveler, Eric Hutchinson, Ben Kweller, Sugar Ray, OK Go, Gin Blossoms and many more. Touring both as a solo troubadour with his guitar, kazoo and ukulele in tow, as well as with his band the Lovely Fools, Derek James spends a good portion of his life rolling over gravel.
