Hey to all! It's me, Daniel Dodd-Ellis introducing everyone to my latest endeavor to finish producing and start promoting my new CD, "Souls Electrified," a string of songs I've written and produced with the incredible DR. Q, aka Quinn McCarthy. When we met, we never imagined that we would be traveling across continents and creating the kinds of sound that we have on this project, a collection of stories charged by that stark emotional energy between us and inside of us. It's about temptation, facing demons, finding new ways to communicate and express love LOUDLY.
For those of you who don't know me yet, I hail from Texas, a small country between the U.S. and Mexico with deeply rooted soul, blues, gospel and jazz music. It was in Austin where I basically "grew up" as a musician, having studied at the prestigious fine arts school at Southwestern University. It's also where I met Dr. Q, who later moved to New York City and founded the Creamery Studios in Brooklyn. Together, we found a sound that truly and somehow instinctively mixed stirring soulful vocals with live and electronic instrumentation in a way that sounds natural and still like the great music we loved growing up.
Since I've predominately been overseas, we ended up flying back and forth in order to meet and write over the last few years. And the result is this very inspired, original, and fun CD. Yes, IT REALLY ROCKS!
We enthusiastically passed the demo on to a major independent record label, who seemed to fall in love with the sound and with us. But, to make a long story short, they dropped the ball not once, but twice over two years, due to financial setbacks. Artists like me can't necessarily rely on the money and influence of big labels. But WHAT WE CAN RELY ON IS YOU, our friends, fans, and colleagues, to join in and to spread the word. It's the best way to begin.
What we've done is finished arranging, recording, and pre-mixing the songs, covering studio expenses on our own. We've hired great musicians like Dr. Q, Whitney Lockert, Beck Burger and Achilleas Anastasopoulos (of the Dandy Warhols), who have lent their distinctive styles to the music. And we've teamed up with incredible visual artists Valerio Vittozzi (Rome), Antonin Comestaz (The Hague), and Jascha Vengic (Berlin), to create the look and design of the cover art, website, and limited edition merchandise, which will be EXCLUSIVELY FOR OUR KICKSTARTER BACKERS! We're also teaming up with some internationally renowned DJs and re-mixers, including the legendary Burnt Friedman, who will produce limited edition remixes.
Now, we need your ACTION and PARTICIPATION. You can be the catalyst that pushes through the completion of this CD and funds the limited edition cover artwork, remixes, printing, and reproduction costs. Up until now I have financed this alone, working like a mad man over the last years as a singer, songwriter, and actor. We've set our goal at $7,000 to complete this phase. However, in order to do effective promotion bring a tour to you, our friends, fans, and colleagues, we need SUBSTANTIALLY more than this. Generally artists on an independent record label spend a minimum of $30,000 to fund a short tour.
By buying packages you will ultimately bring us a step closer to the finish line and towards promoting this CD effectively. AS A REMINDER: IF WE DO NOT REACH OUR GOAL ($7,000) within this 30 day funding period, WE WILL NOT RECEIVE ANY OF YOUR FUNDS, and NO PACKAGES WILL BE SHIPPED!
So we strongly encourage you to order packages you like now, be it for yourself or as a gift to a friend, loved one, or potential loved one.. :)
FOR AS LITTLE AS A DOLLAR, you can get your own taste of our 11 TRACK ALBUM digitally. The larger funding packages are flexible and can be modified to some degree (just ask!). All funds received, which exceed the funding goal will be used for promotional expenses and marketing the album, so that it can find as many listeners as soon as possible! That said, I am thankful to each of you for supporting, sharing, and buying our music. Who knows? Maybe we'll get a chance to meet at a personalized private concert soon through one of my bigger packages.
So, let's do this! FUND THIS ALBUM until 16th of May 2013! Thanks a LOT LOT!
And here are another two songs for you from my new Album
Risks and challenges
Having dedicated the last few years of our lives to making this music and shaping an unforgettable and unique sound, Quinn and I are fully prepared to complete this album. There are obstacles and lots of other things to be considered. That's why we've put together a killer team and are very ready!
One big risk is delays in package delivery. Since I will be putting loads of time into creating each individualized package with care and authenticity, it may, in some cases, require a bit more time. But I will be sure and stay as close to schedule as possible.
Another possible setback may be health or vocal injury. As a singer, it's important to me to be at the top of my game. If my health creates a setback to me teaching or singing for you, I will work with you to reschedule and find the best solution possible.
If your package requires for you or me to travel, then we are at risk of the usual travel setbacks. If weather or some other higher cause delays or prevents travel, then I will work with you to reschedule and find solutions.
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Funding period
- (30 days)