Kickstarter

On May 22nd Kristoff Krane will release his fourth studio album, fanfaronade as a FREE digital download on Crushkill Recordings. CDs will also be made available, and there is a release party on Saturday, May 26th at the Triple Rock Social Club in Minneapolis, MN.

However, there are still costs involved with completing this project, and that's where you come in. If you have any questions, feel free to send an email.

Shirts will be printed on Tultex Heather Charcoal and available in men's sizes S-3XL and women's sizes S-2XL). The front image is on the left, the back image is on the right.

A longer Q&A type description, for those interested in learning more about the album:

When was fanfaronade created and finished?

The first song was recorded in August of 2010. The record was completed in February of 2011. It's entirely produced by a German producer, Jaq, with the exception of "Got High" which is produced by Big Cats!

Who are the features and why?

I am absolutely privileged to announce that the album includes features by veterans, artists responsible for laying the foundation of underground hip-hop: Sage Francis, Buck 65 and Illogic (I have been listening to these guys since I was young and have been extremely influenced by them).

It also includes a handful of “new-age” underground rappers who I believe are part of the next wave of successful DIY movement: Crescent Moon (Kill The Vultures), Ceschi, Sadistik, Joe Horton (No Bird Sing) and Mike Schank (Sector 7G). I chose these features because I thoroughly respect the “honest” approach that all of these artists have when it comes to how they express themselves, and also because they are artists who have influenced the way I make art and how I have spread that art to the world over the past five years.

I specifically wanted these folks on the album because I believe all of them could relate to being in a position where as a result of not making gimmicky, super-accessible art, they all know what it feels like to be underappreciated and overlooked, standing by while others, whose art shows less of their heart, receive a standing ovation again and again.

Track listing:

• 1. Exhale 
• 2. Kristoff Krane
• 3. One Man Show (Feat. Crescent Moon)
• 4. Always Be a Friend
• 5. Becoming Great
• 6. Birthday Song
• 7. Worm
• 8. Mouth of the Beast (Feat. Ceschi)
• 9. Got High
• 10. Parachute (Feat. Illogic)
• 11. Hands Up (Feat. Mike Schank)
• 12. Infectious (Feat. Buck 65)
• 13. White Whale (Feat. Joe Horton)
• 14. Wild West (Feat. Sage Francis and Sadistik)
• 15. Feeler Felt
• 16. Exhale [Graham O'Brien Remix]

What was my mind-state while writing the record? Why the title fanfaronade? What is the meat and bones of the record in terms of content?

I want to make it clear that I am very excited to release this album in to the world and absolutely honored to have worked with the artists stated above. However, I also want to make sure to shed light on the fact that during the creation of this album I was in a cloudy state of mind. By that I mean that this record became the vessel I used to escape from the fact that my best friend had just passed, and these songs were what I created rather than facing the pain I instead ran from. Consequently, the content of the album (my writing and recording…I want to be careful not to speak upon the behalf of the other artists involved) was rooted in a perspective that was drenched in spite, anger and discontent. Is that all I am, spite, anger and discontent? No. But, do I feel those emotions at times? Yes. So is a part of me those things? Yes. And are those emotions more intense at times? Yes. Is one ever truly angry, or simply sad and distant as a result of their sadness at a given time? I’ll leave that one up to you to answer.

When I listen to the record now, I hear a part of me that I am happy to have outgrown. Now, does this mean that I have regret? No. Why? Well, because I think that as an artist it is of value to communicate with others what it is you are going through at any given stage in your life and important to do your best to capture that place and share it so that others can relate and I feel like that was accomplished with this record, perhaps even more than any other previous Kristoff Krane releases.

What are my hopes with this record? Your support and Kickstarter’s role?

Like any other release I have put into the world, my hopes are that my art inspires others in need of inspiration and that it may be a tool a reference for those seeking a window of clarity into an emotional circumstance/mind-state they are currently in or have experienced in the past. So whether this piece of work helps open up one’s creative filter, reminds one of who they are and what they wish to do, or simply pushes one’s buttons and leads to frustration, I’m okay either way, so long as there is a response.

I first off want to make it clear that I so grateful for the support you all have given me over the past 7 years of my artistic journey. From Abzorbr to Face Candy to Kristoff Krane and everything in between, there have always been a handful of folks who have stood by my side and trusted my artistic decisions, which have been rooted in a “I Freestyle Life” approach; I want to thank you all from the bottom of my bottomless heart for your feedback, words of affirmation, showing up to shows and all of your purchases; it has all kept me a float and allowed me to continue doing what I feel like I need to do.

Secondly, this is the first time that I have reached out to my fans for direct financial support to fund a project, because let’s be frank, that’s whats happening here. As you all may suspect, there are many expenses to releasing a record: paying for physical copies, mixing and mastering, marketing, t-shirts, video work, etc; that’s where this money is going. Now, if you look to the right you will see a list of creative incentives that I feel make your contribution worth-while. Not only is this where you can pick up your “traditional” pre-order package, but it is also where you can pick up “one-of-a-kind” Kristoff Krane merchandise that is made by some of my friends who happen to be super talented, for example, hand-sewn Kristoff Krane hoodies made by my sister-n-law Alissa and hand made journals made by the infamous Louis Lapierre. Kickstarter is also where you can go to get your tickets for the release show (which is the day before Soundset…so out-of-towners, keep this in mind). With all of this said, if you are in a position where you just can’t afford any of the pledges listed, please know that you can still help by simply sharing a link to this page and urging your friends to check out these offers.

Thanks again,

 Christopher M. Keller