Good question! It's been a good while and there is so much to catch up on! Where do I begin?!
First, before I begin, I want to tell you that as I just re-read all of your comments on this site, I find myself EVEN MORE amazed at the generosity and support you showed me through your contributions in March and April. It's hard for me to believe that you not only took the time to listen to me but also made the effort to get behind me and contribute! That's incredible! I'm so honored. I am so grateful to you.
I'm so grateful to the people at Kickstarter, as well. It seems to me that this site allows for a lot more than the opportunity for an ambitious individual to accomplish her/his project. The site facilitates the chance for creator and supporter, artist and fan, to establish a relationship that might not have existed otherwise. Through this process I have learned a great deal about you, my individual fans (which I most humbly call you), and about what it means to have fans. I very much hope that this next record inspires you as much as you have inspired me this year.
So back to your question..."What HAS been going on this year?" It's been almost 7 months since a direct post to Kickstarter. Well, I've been traveling quite a lot. I spent much of the summer in New York strategically planning the release of the next record, I just returned from France after my first performance in Paris, and I've been playing in cities all over US for various events including private events for several of you who contributed to the album! The most exciting portion of the last seven months, however, was the 10 days I spent in Los Angeles completing the new record at Capital Studios in Hollywood.
In June, I flew to California with one of my co-producers, Danton Boller, to meet our other co-producer, Al Schmitt, and finalize the project that we'd begun in February at Avatar Studios in New York. We looked forward to recording horns and strings, among several other instruments, and collaborating with more amazing artists in the process. Anthony Wilson contributed a dazzling arrangement for string quartet on a song that we had the privilege of watching him conduct. Larry Goldings came in one afternoon and added some of his musings on a couple of tunes. The energy was electric each day at Capital and the performances were remarkable. To wrap it all up, we took the recordings to The Mastering Lab in Ojai for mastering by the legendary Doug Sax. I can say without hesitation, because of the caliber of players, arrangers, composers, producers, and facilities that we were working in, as well as the seemingly effortless engineering provided by Al Schmitt, the new album sounds beautiful. It has all been a dream come true.
Your next question..."When will the record be out?" February 14! Valentine's Day! After thorough deliberation, I decided that the best time to release the new album is at the beginning of next year. This is, after much research, the best time to maximize an independent release and the most viable time to get all of my fans together for the release shows. It will also give me ample time to continue orchestrating a tour to support the record debut.
Thank you so much for your patience thus far and for your encouraging words along the way. Come the new year, I will be mailing out thank you notes, packages, etc. Please be sure to fill out the survey that I send you through Kickstarter so that I may have all of your information regarding particulars for the items you have purchased as well as correct address information. Also, stay tuned for the location of the CD release show in your city! I can't wait to see you there!
Oh! And by the way...the name of the album is Way Down Low.
Yours truly,
Kat
P.S. Speaking of dreams coming true, while at Capital, I met and hung out with Burt Bacharach who was also working on a recording project there. Not sure if I've ever mentioned it but I have always admired that man and loved his music dearly.
