About this project

UPDATE:

Well this has been a roaring success. And it's not over! There is still almost a month until Labor Day when the project will be closed and none of this stuff will be available ever again. I aimed low with how much money I wanted to raise because I wasn't sure if we would make it. Turns out, my fans (and friends) are very generous and great! THANK YOU. It makes me excited to be making music in this era of personal connections with fans and grass-roots support for artists. Well done, everyone.

I just want to explain that donations are still very much welcomed and needed. Making and releasing albums is rather expensive so I will use each and every penny donated to make the album better, whether that be in its recording or its release. It would be really cool to be able to afford to press vinyl. Let's keep going! Donate and reap some rewards.

Also I failed to mention earlier that we are making a new T-shirt design for the occasion of this Kickstarter campaign, so that's the T-shirt you'll be getting if you opt for one of the rewards that includes a shirt.

I can't hardly wait to show you all this album, and make the fruits of all those bloody bar-fights come to life.

With love, Ezra

ORIGINAL POST:

Hi. I'm Ezra Furman. My main role in society right now is writing and performing songs. I'm in the band Ezra Furman & the Harpoons, and we've released three official albums on a couple of record labels to critical acclaim and the open arms of a growing cult following. That band is still together, but this summer I am making a solo album.

I try to make my songs very very good. In all honesty I am chasing artistic greatness more than anything else. Last year I was plagued with writer's block, plus frustration with the music industry, and I found that I couldn't write good songs. This album is the story of me getting over that block, getting into fistfights with myself and with strangers (see video), and getting down to some viscerally human and Real work with my new songs.

Like many artists, I have no money. I can only make this album with some help from people who trust that this kind of thing is worthwhile. You deserve a record of high quality, and I've written one. My job from this point forward is to record it, and that involves paying the producer, buying studio time, paying various musicians (violin, piano, percussion & such), mastering, and other stuff. This money will not be going to waste. The $4,000 I am trying to raise will not cover all of my expenses, but I am aiming a little low so that I can be sure to meet my goal. Any money I raise past that mark will definitely be incredibly helpful as well, as any costs beyond what I raise on this site are coming straight out of my pocket. Labor Day--September 5th, 2011--is the deadline.

BASICALLY: I want to make something great that people can enjoy and keep with them. There are rewards for anyone who wants to help out with this job. Many of you will be able to give a small amount, and that is deeply appreciated. Any contribution above $10 will get you a digital download of the album before the release date. Those of you looking for a reason to give more, what you'd be doing is INVESTING IN ART. Too many artists give up on their work because of financial constraints, and I'd hate to be one of those.

Thank you all for paying attention.