About this project
Fair Mitten (New Songs of the Historic Great Lakes Basin)
$4,533
118
Welcome to the pre-order for our new album, Fair Mitten (New Songs of the Historic Great Lakes Basin). Out September 22, 2017 via Earthwork Music.
The album is finished. We are offering up a pre-sale in support of funding the pressing and custom printing of a physical product. We would be grateful to have you as a patron of this project, whether it be pre-ordering a vinyl record, CD, or download. Anything raised beyond the base goal will help offset recording, mastering and promotion costs.
Thank you sincerely for your time and love. We likely wouldn't be making music in this capacity if not for our beautiful community of supporters.
With Love and Gratitude,
Brandon & Bethany Foote (www.giftsorcreatures.com)
Video Single for the Album:
Album Overview
Ever since I was a child, I’ve been enamored by the boundless blue water and thick north woods of Michigan. The striking and stunning combination of wooded land and freshwater seascapes have a rich history that is often overshadowed by the coastal cities and towns of North America. I’ve travelled around the country and always miss the north woods when away. The Great Lakes region has always felt like a secret undiscovered jewel to me.
This new collection of songs explores the last four centuries in the Great Lakes Basin. It covers topics such as the demise of the Arctic grayling, trapping and trading throughout the region, downtown Chicago, and Pontiac's Rebellion. The album digs deep into the history of the area; it celebrates it, and at times laments the historical stress within the region.
I have spent the last three years digging into the history of the area, dreaming and conceiving a modern soundtrack to the past. I also spent some time at the Archives of Michigan in Lansing, sifting through their vast collection for inspiration.
We recorded this album intermittently over an eighteen month period. Our dear friends Dan Rickabus (The Crane Wives) and Max Lockwood (May Erlewine, Big Dudee Roo) elegantly covered the rhythm section duties. We worked at La Luna Recording in Kalamazoo with the superlative Ian Gorman. Our brilliant friend, Seth Bernard, helped with production. Carl Saff in Chicago did a beautiful job mastering this collection of music.
Alongside Earthwork Music, Crosshatch Center for Art & Ecology, and the Archives of Michigan, we have a rich team of partners who believe in the cultural preservation and protection of the Great Lakes. We feel that this project offers a unique artistic stamp on the region’s history and timeless significance. We are also excited about the potential of this project to reach and inspire a new demographic of lovers and protectors of the Great Lakes.
A Note Regarding the Physical Album Printing and Pressing:
The custom vinyl sleeves, CD jackets and inserts are being printed by hand in Portland, OR by the worker owned, Stumptown Printers. The 180 gram vinyl is being pressed at Gotta Groove Records in Cleveland, OH.
Special Thanks:
Ian Gorman, Seth Bernard, Dan Rickabus and Max Lockwood for believing in the concept behind this project and helping to musically see it through.
Josh Michels for the passionate and sacrificial help with photos, video and design work.
Khalid Ibrahim (Eat Pomegranate Photography) & John Hanson for their photographic talents.
Brad Kik at Crosshatch Center for Art & Ecology for the design assistance and wisdom.
Mark Harvey and Jessica Harden at the Archives of Michigan for the inspiration.
Jason Whalen of Big Foot Media for the nature video footage and general excitement about this project.
Devin Foote for his assistance and creative camaraderie.
Tony Roth and Joyce Walker for the endless hospitality.
Bill Chesney and Earthwork Music for the support and encouragement.
Risks and challenges
The music is finished, the packaging is designed and the vinyl is awaiting test pressing approval. Our sincere hope is that the vinyl process will move along smoothly. Pressing vinyl is a delicate task and unforeseen delays can come up. We will keep our supporters updated as physical items arrive to us.
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Funding period
- (16 days)