About this project
Dear supporters, friends, and lovers of music,
As you may have noticed, a little perfectionism, one emergency back surgery, and a large lack of funds has made the time between records stretch on for what seems like an eternity.
For the past four years I’ve been working on "The Archives", a record that is a real departure from my past work, which was composed mostly of love songs. "The Archives" is a concept record that explores our fractured relationship with Nature.
Most of the attention around this issue has been on climate change and its effect on people. My focus is on what we lose when we force other species into extinction. "The Archives" explores my feelings around this issue, as well as the perspectives of displaced and extinct animals, in an attempt to create more empathy from people and hopefully inspire change.
In March 2006 I was awarded an artist’s retreat in the woods of Oregon where I wrote the songs. I've since recorded them with my own funds, songs which include a full band, cello, horn, and keyboards.
Now I need your help funding the final steps that will bring this music into the world.
Making a record has many costs you may not know about. In addition to our equipment, a small recording studio is $550 a DAY. Session musicians, mixing and mastering, and ecologically responsible duplication add up fast; on past albums to about $10,000 per CD. To save on recording costs down the road, I’ve invested in gear so I can record some things at home, but the computer and recording equipment are really expensive too. All these costs make it hard to break even, much less fund future projects.
Kickstarter allows you to invest at any level that feels right to you and brings you rewards in return. If we reach our goal, I will donate the net proceeds from tickets to the Archives CD release concert to the NRDC, an environmental group that protects endangered animals.
If we raise the money needed, I can not only finish the Archives, but explore other ways to help raise awareness around the issues raised by the project. I can even start recording a brand new set of songs for CD number four, "Giving up the Ghosts"!
Let’s make this happen!
HEAR MY MUSIC AT http://www.odessachen.com
FAQ
Have a question? If the info above doesn't help, you can ask the project creator directly.
64
Backers
$10,150
pledged of $10,000 goal
0
seconds to go
Funding Successful
This project successfully raised its funding goal on March 20, 2010.
Pledge $5 or more
Free Downloads from my previously released albums: Made Up My Mind, Ave Maria, Snow Angels, Sleep Music for Jeff
Pledge $15 or more
Everything above plus your name on my website under "Thank You's".
Pledge $30 or more
Everything above plus a Digital Download of the album when it comes out.
Pledge $50 or more
Everything above plus an Advance Digital Download of the album, an actual CD, and a T-shirt
Pledge $100 or more
Everything above plus access to a private webcast concert and 5 tracks from a recent Cafe Du Nord Live performance (digital download, including unreleased music). You will also get a signed limited edition print and a handwritten Thank You note!
Pledge $300 or more
Everything above plus a signed, advance copy of a limited edition CD and full color book chronicling the story behind the songs. Plus a signed 8x10 photo of Odessa of your choice.
Pledge $500 or more
Everything above plus an exclusive DVD of Odessa performing at the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts as part of the Illustrated Book of Invisible Stories choreographed by Janice Garrett and Charles Moulton. Name on my website as an "Executive Supporter" and front row seats to The Archives CD release concert.
Pledge $1,000 or more
Everything above plus your name in the printed credits of the CD/book, a personal phone call where Odessa tells you how much she loves you (really really loves you) and free admission to all 2010 shows. You'll even get front row seats to The Archives CD release concert. I'll also perform a Cover Song of your choice and send it to you on a CD-R with handmade artwork...woo hoo!
Pledge $2,000 or more
Everything above plus a Private Concert (anywhere in Bay Area).
Pledge $3,000 or more
Everything above plus dinner with Odessa Chen and the band (in California).
Pledge $5,000 or more
Everything above personally delivered anywhere in the US plus a signed, advance copy of the CD/book. This will also come with a hand-written, heartfelt thank you note, and a home made basket of goodies.
Pledge $10,000 or more
Everything above plus a day in the studio with the band (San Francisco only).
Project By
Has not connected their Facebook account.
Odessa Chen's singular musical vision is not easily categorized. She approaches songs of love, longing, and displacement with accomplished lyrics, and unusual song structures. Aspects of folk, classical, and indie rock converge to make music that requires quiet attention.
Described as intelligent, subtle, and haunting, Odessa's pure, ethereal voice and finger-picking guitar style has drawn comparisons to Jeff Buckley, Sigur Ros, and Cat Power.
Her debut One Room Palace (2003) attracted international attention and laid the foundation for her current release The Ballad of Paper Ships, which she wrote, produced, and arranged. She has had the pleasure of collaborating on her recordings with Wilco's Nels Cline, Xiu Xiu's Devin Hoff, The Drift's Rich Douthit, Scott Amendola and Matt Brubeck among others.
Touring internationally, Odessa has been featured on NPR, MTV U and MTV Chi, KRON4, and in independent films, compilations, and on radio stations. She has shared stages from a boat in Paris to the Great American Music Hall with artists such as Jolie Holland, Damien Jurado, Mia Doi Todd, and Vienna Teng amoung others.
Interested in exploring collaborations and alternate settings for her music, she most recently performed at the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts with 24 dancers, string quartet, piano, drums, and bass clarinet in the Illustrated Book of Invisible Stories. She is set to release a new record in 2010.
A former poetry major, she has studied classical voice and cello, and sung in early music choirs. A self-taught guitarist, she grew up in Baltimore, Maryland.
