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Funded! This project successfully raised its funding goal on March 15.

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Professional musicians, amateur global citizens. Help us make our first full length album.　

（上のビデオも日本語字幕付！）

Did I love you well? I could have loved you better.

Te amaba bien? Podría haberte amado mejor.
T'ai-je bien aimé? J'aurais pu t'aimer mieux encore.
Älskade jag dig väl? Jag kunde ha älskat dig bättre.
Rakastinko sinua hyvin? Olisin voinut rakastaa sinua paremmin.
僕は君をうまく愛せただろうか？君にもっと尽くせたはずさ。
是否対你好不好？明明自己能更爱你。

For the past four years

I've been living in a little apartment in a tiny corner of northern Japan, writing music. Reflecting on family, love, contingency, partying, living away from home, who we are, where we're going, and why. I've done all I can do on my own, now it's time to make a proper, full-sized, big kid album.

I've reached out to some friends

・Chris Fudurich (Nada Surf, Jimmy Eat World) is recording the songs. 
・Aiko and I are singing some songs together in Japanese.
・Satomi Okazaki, Sapporo superwoman drummer and singer, is drumming and singing!
・Josh Williams, who I played with in polar state is shredding electric guitar.
・Max Serota is playing keys and contemplating the most complex of chords. 
・Tyler Greenleaf (The Weakerthans) is on board to do horn arrangements.
・Brad Stemke, who you may have seen around Europe this past spring banging drums with Damien Jurado, is gonna come bang some drums for us.

So Far

In January, Josh, Aiko and I recorded a few songs with Chris that we want to share with you right away. The OH WOW / KOTOSHI single can be yours as soon as you make a pledge. 

Preview the songs:

The Artwork

My good friend Adrian Hogan will be doing the artwork for the album. We spent a year together in Aomori (northern Japan), and his sketches from around the country will populate a book that will accompany the vinyl album and also house the CD. Have a look:

Thank You

I really want to make this thing, and share this music that's been created as a result of all the love I've been feeling.

I believe in you - please, believe in me too.

-Michael Jason Warren
February 2013 - Aomori, Japan

Risks and challenges Learn about accountability on Kickstarter

We are global citizens spread around the world. The biggest challenge will be aligning all of our schedules, but that is already underway, with the bulk of recording planned for May and August. We've demoed around 20 songs and are prepared to record as soon as we get into the studio!

Your support is what will make this project come to life.
More music, more art, more love.

FAQ

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49
Backers
$3,110
pledged of $2,500 goal
0
seconds to go

Funding period
Feb 13, 2013 - Mar 15, 2013 (30 days)

  • Pledge $5 or more

    0 backers

    [THE DIGITAL THANK YOU] Immediately download the OH WOW / KOTOSHI single & digital thank you letter ・ your name incorporated into the artwork

    Estimated delivery: Oct 2013
  • Pledge $10 or more

    6 backers

    [THE DIGITAL DOWNLOAD] Immediately download the OH WOW / KOTOSHI single plus → a download of the album a week before release (mp3, WAV) ・ your name incorporated into the artwork

    Estimated delivery: Oct 2013
  • Pledge $15 or more

    7 backers

    [KICKSTARTER EXCLUSIVE CD] Digital Download plus → the album on CD (small artwork!)

    Estimated delivery: Oct 2013
  • Pledge $25 or more

    16 backers

    [KICKSTARTER EXCLUSIVE VINYL] Digital Download plus → the album on vinyl (giant artwork!)

    Estimated delivery: Oct 2013
    Add $10 to ship outside the US
  • Pledge $50 or more

    7 backers Limited (3 of 10 left)

    [LET US COVER A SONG FOR YOU] Digital Download plus → in the spirit of Michael's 2013 Weekly Cover Songs, we cover a song of your choice

    Estimated delivery: Oct 2013
  • Pledge $75 or more

    7 backers Limited (13 of 20 left)

    [ORIGINAL SIGNED ARTWORK] Digital Download plus → framed original sketch from Adrian Hogan's Japan notebooks signed by the man himself (this is beautiful stuff!)

    Estimated delivery: Oct 2013
    Add $5 to ship outside the US
  • Pledge $200 or more

    0 backers Limited (10 of 10 left)

    [VINYL + TURNTABLE PACKAGE] Digital Download plus → the album on vinyl (giant artwork!) and your very own turntable to play it on

    Estimated delivery: Oct 2013
    Add $25 to ship outside the US
  • Pledge $200 or more

    1 backer All gone!

    [OWN OUR CUTE, RED TOY PIANO] Digital Download plus → the toy piano we used on the album

    Estimated delivery: Oct 2013
    Add $20 to ship outside the US
  • Pledge $400 or more

    0 backers Limited (5 of 5 left)

    [PRIVATE CONCERT + STUDIO VISIT] Digital Download plus → we hand deliver the album and play a private concert in your living room! (limited to USA and Japan. depending on location, all members may not be available) If you're close enough, you're also welcome to visit the studio one day!

    Estimated delivery: Oct 2013
  • Pledge $1,000 or more

    1 backer Limited (4 of 5 left)

    [YOU'RE SELFLESS. WE LOVE YOU] You single-handedly make our dream come true! plus → everything listed above (digital download, CD, vinyl, turntable, we cook for you, living room concert, studio visit)

    Estimated delivery: Oct 2013