THE PREFACE
In a world filled with noise and chaos, it is important to find peace and quiet while reflecting on the memories that we hold dear, the memories that bring joy, the memories that fill our hearts with love, and the memories that make life meaningful.
Our goal is to put these important memories into the grooves of a white vinyl record in a gatefold jacket with gold foil, and only you can help us do that!
THE PROTAGONISTS
Mr. and Mrs. Muffins are two dreamers living and working in Seattle, WA, raising a Mini Muffin, and, in their limited spare time, writing orchestral jazz pop albums accompanied by imaginative illustrations. On this album, they attempt to share their dearest memories with you, hoping that you can relate to some of them.
You can familiarize yourself with their previous works here: https://mrandmrsmuffins.bandcamp.com/
THE SUPPORTING CHARACTERS
This time around, Mr. and Mrs. Muffins have collaborated with over twenty artists from all around the globe to bring life to ten brand-new compositions. Collaborators include: Mondo Gascaro (Jakarta, ID), Aprilia Apsari (Jakarta, ID), Jérôme Didelot, Anthony Rochester (Hobart, AU), Guillermo Farré (Madrid, ES), Fredo Viola (New York), Nick Frenay (Boston), Joey Walbaum (Seattle), Alessandra Rose (Seattle), Susan Pascal (Seattle), Marty Jourard (Seattle), Ed "The Whistler" Sharlet (Bend), Shane Peck (Seattle), Brianna Atwell (Seattle), Karen Halliburton (Seattle), Chris Worswick (Seattle), Brian Owen (Bend), Chris Stroh (Seattle), Marc Miller (Seattle), Gabriel Lopez (Seattle), and Chris Hanzsek (Seattle), Rosalynn De Roos (New Orleans).
THE SETTING
"The Quiet Moon and Other Midnight Memories" is a 40-minute-long musical journey from the streets of Jakarta to a playground in Seattle, from the stillness of a back porch at sunset to the hustle and bustle of a crowded badminton club, from an intimate first date to the welcoming of a new child.
THE PROBLEM
Without a record label to help with the expensive job of pressing vinyl records, Mr. and Mrs. Muffins ask their fans, friends, and family to help create a joyous, music-filled memory.
THE EVENTS
Writing and recording of "The Quiet Moon and Other Midnight Memories" began in 2012, shortly after Mr. and Mrs. Muffins learned that they would be parents. By 2013, Mr. Muffins had written a song for the unborn child. Originally, the song used the name Apollo, but since, "Apa lo?" is a phrase commonly used at the beginning of an argument in Bahasa Indonesia, that name was abandoned for the more peaceful, "Amari." Over the next four years, Mr. Muffins slowly composed songs inspired by memories of the most important people, places, and things in his life... memories he felt were important to share with his new son, Amari.
The recording of the album mostly took place in Mr. and Mrs. Muffins' living room, after Amari had fallen asleep. This is just one of many reasons why the album is so soft and gentle. Additional recording sessions were held at various houses in the Seattle area, as well as long-distance sessions in Indonesia, France, Spain, Australia, California, and Boston. When the music was finished in 2016, Mrs. Muffins set to visually capturing the mood of the album with her own unique vision and style. Her artwork introduces some of her own favorite memories and helps the listener dive deeper into a serene landscape where subdued colors are accentuated by soft textures and subtle touches of shimmering gold, like the moon reflecting on newly-fallen snow.
Finally, after years of work, Mr. and Mrs. Muffins are launching this Kickstarter campaign, hoping that you will support their art and share it with all of your family and friends.
THE CLIMAX
With the help of so many people sharing this project and spreading the word, Mr. and Mrs. Muffins reach their goal of raising $4,000 to produce 250 copies of "The Quiet Moon and Other Midnight Memories" on white vinyl in a beautiful gatefold jacket.
THE CONCLUSION
Shipment of the album begins in the summer of 2017 with other rewards being sent to backers immediately after the Kickstarter campaign has ended.
THE AFTERWORD
We strongly believe that supporting art is more important now than ever. Mr. and Mrs. Muffins wouldn't exist without our shared love of music. Music is important. It is worth our time. It is worth our money. Art is important. It is worth our time. It is worth our money.
We have tried to create art and music that add beauty to our chaotic world. We hope that you find value in what we have created and join us in making our world more beautiful.
THE MUSIC
This is a short preview of each song on the album along with a preview of the art for the "Memory" card game reward. The artwork was created in collaboration with Gabriel Lopez)
Below are some full songs to preview. Hope you like them:
TRACK 2 - "The Daydreamer and Her Valise"
TRACK 7 - "Downtown Ailleurs"
TRACK 6 - "A Dream of You"
TRACK 5 - "A Sunset in Kota"
Track #8 - "The Peacock Strut"
THE REWARDS
Memory card game (12 illustrations - 24 cards). Illustrated by Mrs. Muffins and Gabriel Lopez
THE COST
Here's a breakdown of costs to produce the vinyl LP:
- 12" DMM Processing (33rpm) - $250
- Creating Vinyl Stampers - $150
- 5 Test Pressings - $100
- 250 160g 12" Virgin Vinyl Records - $650
- Vinyl Color "White" Surcharge - $125
- Colored Vinyl Setup/Extruder Cleaning - $100
- CMYK Center Label Printing - $125
- Black Paper Innersleeves with 2 Die Cut Holes - $50
- Printed CMYK Gatefold LP Jackets - $1,000
- Upgraded Jacket Finish: Matte Machine Varnish - $75
- Surcharge for Cover Pocket of Gatefold Glued Shut with Glue Flap - $25
- Surcharge for Hot Foil on 12" Gatefold - $250
- Foil Stamping Tool - $200
- LP Shrinkwrapping - $25
- Shipping Costs - $375
- Kickstarter fees - $400
- Total: $4,000
Any additional funds raised will be used to help create the "Memory" card game, t-shirts, any PR for the album, and future live performances. Thank you, thank you, thank you!
Risks and challenges
Since our first two Kickstarter projects, vinyl has become so popular that the few production plants around the world are overwhelmed with the demand.This could delay the shipment of our record. Thank you for being patient as we do our best to ship the records in a timely manner.
Some of our rewards will take time to create. For example, we will literally be baking your cookies in our tiny kitchen. This homemade goodness takes time. Again, thank you for your patience.
We have never produced a t-shirt or a card game before. The process seems pretty straightforward, however, and we are confident we will be able to have these rewards to you by the estimated delivery dates.
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Funding period
- (30 days)