About this project
Ladies and Gentlemen...
If we have learned ANYTHING in these past two and a half years as a band, it has been to live without limiting ourselves to the status quo expectations of how things have been done in the past, and to free ourselves from the shackles of hesitation in lieu of a full-on sprint in the direction of our dreams.
At this point in our musical careers, we can thankfully say we're finding our stride in these efforts. Throughout early 2011, we played a bunch of shows across Colorado and put the finishing touches on the songs that would make up our full-length EP. In September, we embarked on our first multi-state tour, bringing our music further into the world and meeting a lot of awesome folks along the way (you can watch video documentation of the tour on our YouTube channel). Now that we're back home, we're ready to begin our next step -- funding the recording of a project that will see our debut full-length concept album take shape, and get it into your pretty little hands.
You see, we're trying to change the world of music. Or, at least, YOUR world of music. There are so many songs that are being created today, and yet, so many of them sound the same. We formed Seris with the hope that, by completely eschewing the mainstream, pop formulas used by practically every band on the radio, we would be able to create something different. Our use of mathematical concepts and our focus on rhythmic diversion fuels what has become our sound. Conceptually, the 11 songs on "Rises" focus lyrically on a tongue-in-cheek perspective of each of the original 11 "Deadly Sins" which have been classified as objectionable vices throughout western history. (We know, there are only 7 Deadly Sins identified today. But, if you do the research, you'll find that there were once 11, albeit not all at once. Vices change, apparently.) We've put so many layers and layers of consideration into every aspect of this album that we can truly refer to it as "our art."
You can be a part of this project with a pledge of $1 or more – check out the rewards list on the right. Backers who pledge $55 and above will be mailed the basic full package of everything we’re producing with this Kickstarter support. We set our goal low (yes, $7,500 is low for what we’re trying to do) to ensure that we actually meet it, but we are really hoping to surpass it. (See the FAQ below for more information.)
This is an open invitation to join us in this project and to help us reach our goal of raising $7,500+ by February 2, 2012 (right before we hit the studio!), so we can start recording our album right around the beginning of the New Year. Connect with us on Facebook to follow along with all the updates on the fundraising and the recording. The money we raise is going towards studio costs, along with mixing, mastering, packaging, album artwork, duplication, and sending all of these sweet rewards to your doorstep.
We’re building a community here. We are so excited to have this opportunity to partner with you guys to create something amazing. Thank you, thank you, from the bottom of our hearts.
- Melati, Scott, Rob, and Cody ~ a.k.a. ~ SERIS
(Want to listen?)
FAQ
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Great question! While we’d love to be able to make our record for you for just a couple thousand bucks (let alone free of charge), we as a band are very hesitant (read: AGAINST) making a full length album of any lower quality for you then the quality of our initial 3-song EP, “Welcome to Seris,” released in the summer of 2010. That being said, we went to a REALLY nice studio for the tracking, mixing and mastering of that EP. We want to make sure our full-length album doesn’t take any steps backwards. And if you’ve never been in a professional studio, tracking, mixing, and mastering an album usually costs a pretty penny. For example, mastering ALONE for a 10-track album runs around a grand! And we’ve got 11 songs on this new album! So… yes. While we will be playing all the instruments involved in the tracking ourselves, the engineers and production guys/girls involved in tracking unfortunately are not working pro bono. We have estimated that $7,500 is the bare MINIMUM it will take to pay for our album, plus the packaging, plus the duplication (not to mention the shirts and stickers and the shipping costs to mail all your stuff out to you guys). It’s going to actually be a lot more than that. We’re just asking for help with the album portion of it. And we’ll love you forever for helping out. :)
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But of course! Once funding is successful, we’ll send you a message asking you to choose either a guy’s or girl’s shirt, and what size (small, medium, large, XL or XXL). Then when the funding period is over, we’ll mail you your t-shirt along with all the rest of your stuff (which means you’ll have to wait until the album is pressed and packaged). We’ll get all your stuff to you as SOON as we can. :)
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US residents will NOT have to pay for shipping costs, but Canadian residents will kindly add an additional $3 USD to the price of your backing pledge, and international residents will kindly add an additional $8 to the price of yours.
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Yes! Although the Kickstarter page only lets you select one reward, you can actually get as many rewards as you want. If you want more than one reward, all you have to do is back us with a dollar amount matching the total of the rewards you want, select one of the rewards you want on the page, and then send us an email letting us know all the rewards you are backing us for. For example, if you wanted both to play video games with us ($75) and to get a box of Melati’s world famous home-made truffles ($125), then all you’d have to do is back us with a pledge of $200, select one of those two reward options on the Kickstarter page, then send us an email at serisband@yahoo.com and let us know you wanted video games and truffles. Simple as that!
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If you live within 3 hours of Denver, we’ll come to you when it comes to the rewards where we’re hanging out (unless otherwise stated) as long as we've got access to all the adequate resources (i.e., a mini-golf course, etc.). If you don’t live within 3 hours of Denver, or if you live in the boonies and there aren’t any bowling alleys or kickball fields, etc., then you (and any of your pals that are involved) have gotta come to us, on your own dime.
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Very likely! Though we will try very hard to always include all four of the Seris squad in any Kickstarter-sponsored events, in the interest of being able to keep these rewards moving in a timely fashion, we will go ahead and define the term “with Seris” as meaning “at least 3 of the 4 members”. But again, in most instances, it’ll be all four of us. :)
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We’ll definitely call you if you’ve pledged an amount qualifying for the “thank you” call. And while we can’t guarantee that you’ll actually pick up the phone and answer, if you DON’T answer and you have a voice message system, we’ll be sure to leave you a nice, long, possibly awkward message with lots of reference to how cool you are and how much we appreciate that you’ve helped us out. Hopefully you’ll be able to save this and play it to all your friends if you don’t talk to us in person. And if you DO answer the phone, heck yeah we’ll talk to you! It’ll be a heartfelt conversation filled with awesome, in ten minutes or less. :)
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Glad you asked. Kickstarter is a funding platform that works on an awesome all-or-nothing basis. Which means, in simple terms, that we either get ALL of the money that we earned from backers of our project (minus a tiny cut for Kickstarter, of course), or, if we don’t meet our minimum goal, we don’t get ANY of the money, and no money is actually charged onto the backers’ credit/debit cards. They do this because that way, no one is stuck trying to fulfill a project and the rewards associated with it if the artist didn’t get enough money to complete the project in the first place. Pretty cool, right? The hope is that we’ll make our goal, and have all the rewards out to you guys soon after. Done and done.
Have a question? If the info above doesn't help, you can ask the project creator directly.
67
Backers
$7,866
pledged of $7,500 goal
0
seconds to go
Funding Successful
This project successfully raised its funding goal on February 3.
Pledge $1 or more Pledge $1 or more
Everyone who backs us by a dollar or more will get LOVE, from Seris, in the form of an email (and/or a Facebook post), letting you know we think you’re awesome. <3
Pledge $15 or more Pledge $15 or more
A digital download of the album at least 2 weeks before the album is released to the rest of the world.
Pledge $30 or more Pledge $30 or more
A digital download, and a SIGNED copy of the physical album as soon as it’s released. We’ll also throw in a fancy Seris sticker.
Pledge $40 or more Pledge $40 or more
A digital download, and a signed copy of the album, a sticker, plus a personal “thank you” call from Seris (including all members on speaker phone, conference-call style). Yes, we’ll need your number. No, we’ll never use it again unless you want us to.
Pledge $45 or more Pledge $45 or more
A digital download, a signed copy of the album, a sticker, a “thank you” call, and an 8x10 copy of the newest promotional photo of the band, signed by each of us.
Pledge $55 or more Pledge $55 or more
A digital download, a signed copy of the album, a sticker, a “thank you” call, a signed 8x10 promo photo, and a brand new Seris t-shirt (in your specified size, American Apparel, 100% cotton)!
Pledge $75 or more Pledge $75 or more
Play video games with Seris. You call it – Halo, Super Mario Kart, Wii Tennis, League of Legends, Team Fortress 2, Portal 2 Co-Op, whatever you got! (For non-Colorado residents, this is a great choice as long as we’re playing something online or over X-box Live/PSN). Plus everything at the $55 level.
Pledge $75 or more Pledge $75 or more
Water balloon fight with Seris with 3 of your best mates! Anywhere within 70 miles of Denver (or you can provide transportation). We'll bring the balloons. Plus, everything at the $55 level.
Pledge $75 or more Pledge $75 or more
Kickball with Seris! You and up to 11 friends will face off against us and our crew. We’ll find an outdoor location that works when the weather permits, and bring the pain! Plus, everything at the $55 level.
Pledge $85 or more Pledge $85 or more
A handwritten lyrics sheet, penned by Melati, of the song of your choice off the new album. It'll be written on some fancy schmancy stationary paper, and will be signed by the whole band at the bottom. (And if you're not sure which song you want yet, you can wait until after you get your digital download of the album to choose.) Plus, everything at the $55 level.
Pledge $100 or more Pledge $100 or more
Mini-golf game with Seris! A nice friendly game, just you and us. And probably some drinks as well. Plus, everything at the $55 level.
Pledge $100 or more Pledge $100 or more
A 45-minute guitar lesson with Scott! Scott will provide the guitar (or you can bring your own), amplifiers (if necessary) and cables. (Can be over Skype if you're not near Denver.) Plus, everything at the $55 level.
Pledge $100 or more Pledge $100 or more
A 45-minute bass lesson with Cody! Cody will provide the bass (or you can bring your own), amplifiers (if necessary) and cables. (Can be over Skype if you're not near Denver.) Plus, everything at the $55 level.
Pledge $100 or more Pledge $100 or more
A 45-minute vocal coaching session with Melati! In person if you’re near Denver, or we’ll Skype it if you’re not. Plus, everything at the $55 level.
Pledge $125 or more Pledge $125 or more
A 45-minute drum lesson with Rob! You must provide your own kit and transportation, or Rob will travel if you’re within 50 miles of Denver. Plus, everything at the $55 level.
Pledge $125 or more Pledge $125 or more
A box of Melati’s world-famous Triple-Chocolate Truffles will be sent to your home, with a card signed by the band telling you how jealous they are that you get to eat all the delicious truffles by yourself. (Serisly, check out a picture of these delicate, luscious things on our Facebook page.) Plus, everything at the $55 level.
Pledge $150 or more Pledge $150 or more
Seris will record your personal voicemail greeting for you. We’ll make it sound posh and talk you up a lot. Yes, we’ll need your number for this, as well. Plus, everything at the $55 level.
Pledge $175 or more Pledge $175 or more
Bowling with Seris and 3 of your mates. Actually, bowling AGAINST Seris! We’ll pay for the rental of shoes and the lanes. Plus, everything at the $55 level.
Pledge $200 or more Pledge $200 or more
You’ll get thanks in the liner notes of our album, and we’ll love you forever. For EVER. Plus, everything at the $55 level.
Pledge $300 or more Pledge $300 or more
Large (dimensions?) full-color poster signed by Seris (limited quantity) (add photo) Plus, inclusion in the liner notes, and everything at the $55 level.
Pledge $400 or more Pledge $400 or more
Go out for drinks with Seris – on us! Guaranteed to be a night of revelry. Plus, inclusion in the liner notes, and everything at the $55 level.
Pledge $550 or more Pledge $550 or more
One lucky person can get their hands on Scott’s black Jackson DKMGT Dinky guitar, signed by everyone in the band. Scott has owned this guitar for five years, and has performed with it on stage countless times. This is a one-of-a-kind, folks. Get it while it lasts! Plus, inclusion in the liner notes, and everything at the $55 level.
Pledge $550 or more Pledge $550 or more
One lucky person has the chance to become the new owner of Cody's HOMEMADE, HANDCRAFTED 5 string bass, signed by the band. In case you didn't understand from the previous sentence, Cody made this bass, by himself, with his own hands. This is, obviously, a one of a kind collector's item. (But of course, you can still play it. Hard.) Check out pics on the Facebook page! Plus, get inclusion on the liner notes, and everything at the $55 level.
Pledge $600 or more Pledge $600 or more
Two VIP tickets to the “RISES” CD Release concert! You get yourself to the Denver venue, we’ll take care of your drinks at the show and make sure you have a great time. Plus, inclusion in the liner notes, and everything at the $55 level.
Pledge $700 or more Pledge $700 or more
Personalized cover recording of your favorite song (any song you want!), posted on our YouTube channel (www.youtube.com/531215band) with a dedication to you at the end. You’ll get inclusion in the liner notes, plus, everything at the $55 level.
Pledge $800 or more Pledge $800 or more
You get to do backing vocals on one of the songs on the new album! (Yes, even if you can’t sing well. We’ll figure out something for you to do.) Plus, thanks in the liner notes, mention as a contributing vocalist, and everything at the $55 level.
Pledge $1,000 or more Pledge $1,000 or more
Credit as “Associate Producer” in the liner notes on the album! And two free tickets to the “RISES” CD Release concert! Plus, additional thanks in the liner notes and everything at the $55 level.
Pledge $1,500 or more Pledge $1,500 or more
Seris will write you a personalized song, just for you! Or your fiancé! Or your boss! Or whatever you want. And we’ll record it onto an mp3 and send it to you, plus record ourselves performing it and post it on YouTube for you! You’ll get credit as “Associate Producer” on the album, and additional thanks in the liner notes. Plus, everything at the $55 level.
Pledge $2,000 or more Pledge $2,000 or more
We’ll put a picture of you and us (or just you, if you live far away from us) into the album art within the booklet of the album. You’ll get credit as being an “Associate Producer” of the album, and additional PROFUSE thanks in the liner notes. You’ll also have free admission to every Seris concert for life. And of course, everything at the $55 level.
Project By
Connected as Melati Olivia (1495 friends)
SERIS. With every wave of sound they resonate, there exists an unspoken promise to defy the conventional standards of today’s music while creating an emotional cadence sure to linger long after the rhythms have stopped. Enthralled by the notion of discounting the status-quo, Seris vows to create a sound which breaks from the monotony of the overheard, underwhelming songs of the moment, and instead embraces the endless horizon of the unexplored. Seris has established these infinite possibilities to be their playground.
Seris’ exodus from the conventions of rock and metal has split the tides in an ocean of music that all sounds too familiar. Their conviction and fortitude only cements their journey along the path laid out before them. With an affirmation to defy the status quo, the potentials of this band are truly immeasurable.
