Kickstarter

"There are two kinds of dogs that exist in this world. There are stray dogs, and those who choose to be lap dogs. Never knowing where their next meal will come from, stray dogs wander alone in the rain in exchange for freedom. Lap dogs are kept on a short leash and for one measly bone a day, content with defeat." - Samurai Champloo: Beatbox Bandits.

Many of the great artists you once knew and loved, are now mere shadows of their former selves. Over the years, corporate record labels have transformed them into simple gears and axles of the "corporate machine". While mainstream artists enjoy fleeting fame and set allowances in exchange for finite creativity and a predetermined shelf life, the underground fights for more, maintaining limitless imagination and originality. 

Melancholy Hopeful will be my 2nd full-length collaborative release. The last solo effort I released, entitled "Revival of the Fittest" came out in 2008. Since that time I've matured, and my music reflects that. I want to give you; my fans, family, friends, and supporters a new project that you can be proud of. Something that you can be excited about, and something that you can say you helped create.

Too often do I see talented artists and their projects shelved, (unreleased) due to industry politics. Simply put, if it doesn't fit the trend of what's popular, chances are a label won't back it, meaning it won't see the light of day or the inside of your iPod. Right?

Wrong.

With Melancholy Hopeful, I don't want a record label telling me what I can and can't share with my fans, and when I can or can't do it. I also don't want a record label breathing down my neck, stifling creativity in exchange for financial gain. I don't want to fit in the box. So, I propose that YOU, *Uncle Sam finger* the people that care most about the music and the people that have come to know the man behind the music, act as my record label.

Together, we can make Melancholy Hopeful the album that it has the potential to be, without forsaking morals or giving up creative control.

What your donations will be going toward:

$6,000 may seem like a lot of money...and it is for everyday people like you and me. So rest assured I'll be using every dime to make Melancholy Hopeful the best it can be. Your generous donations will go toward the entire production of the album including the recording, studio-time, mixing, mastering, art-design, promotion, pressing of the CDs etc. Any extra money donated beyond our goal will be put toward filming music videos and making the Melancholy Hopeful release parties bigger and better. Kickstarter is the ONLY way you'll be able to get the album before the release date.

I'm asking for your help, but not without the promise of returning the favor. Over the past month I've been listening to your suggestions and have done my best to deliver the incentives that you asked for, which include:

- An exclusive Melancholy Hopeful Pre-Release EP available only to those who pledged on Kickstarter. (This project will feature 8-10 unreleased instrumentals and songs that didn't make the album).

- Melancholy Hopeful delivered to you a week prior to the official release date.

- Autographed copies of Revival of the Fittest (US) & Shoshin.

- Limited edition Marcus D posters.

- Marcus D T-shirts (courtesy of Emnace Clothing Brand).

- Almost an hour's worth of DVD footage of my trip to Japan for the Eternal Soul Tribute Show & the recording of "Greater Purpose" with Cise Star.

- Beat-making & piano lessons with me via Skype.

- Exclusive beats produced by me, for you.

- And even a day of record digging with me in Seattle.

If that's not enough to show that your voices have been heard, I leave you with the confidence that your voices have been heard, and that I've done my best to make the artist features you requested, happen. This is your album as much as it is mine.

I'm truly honored to be able to call you my friends.

Let's make beautiful music.

Thank you,

Marcus D