On the heels of the success of Zephaniah OHora's debut album 'This Highway' he's back at the Bunker Studios to make another full length record!
Hello friends and fans from around the world,
as some of you may remember back in 2016 I launched a successful campaign to help fund the final phase of the recording of my debut album ‘This Highway’. (Produced by Jim Campilongo and Luca Benedetti) It wouldn't have been possible without the 126 people who funded the campaign.
‘This Highway’ brought me down many highways indeed. The album was released in 2017 to rave reviews by both critics and music lovers alike. Many critics including Billboard, Wide Open Country, Rolling Stone, Saving Country Music, and American Songwriter
The countless emails and messages from fans around the globe telling me what it personally meant to them fueled me to hit the road. I self funded several tours with my band across the U.S., and even in Sweden, and Norway. Playing 70+ shows and over 50 cities in 2018. I’ve had the opportunity to open for icons like, Lee Ann Womack, Jim Lauderdale, Shooter Jennings, Dale Watson and many other incredible writers and performers.
Why I'm here:
I’m here to ask you to join us in helping to make this campaign a success. I'm an independent artist who doesn't have a big fancy label to bankroll the recording of my albums or funding of my tours. It has all been possible either through crowdfunding or my own hard earned money. By making a contribution and sharing the campaign with your friends and family we can create this album together.
Why you matter:
I truly believe that deciding to become a part of a crowdfunding campaign is a way that you can genuinely affect positive change in people's lives. The opportunity you afford an artist with your contribution can have an immeasurable positive ripple effect. Many people have written me to share how my music helped them during trials and tribulations in their personal lives. From a loved one passing, to dealing with heartbreak, illness or the many other unexpected twists and turns in one’s life. And that gave me a true sense of humility and purpose.
Be sure to visit the rewards section to see what we have to offer for your contribution.
- New album on CD
- New Album on Vinyl
- Test Pressings
- T-shirts
- rare live recordings
- original mixes of This Highway
- autographed collectable items
- Bonus items for International backers(see international section below) **
- and more!
A message for the fans:
Music row and the industry in general does not yet realize people are hungry for roots based honest country music. For country artists with a deep respect for the tradition of the art form. But YOU have all proved quite the contrary. All thanks to your support for 'This Highway' and attendance at the many shows and festivals I've performed at around the country. That's why I was asked to play Pickathon, Tumbleweed Fest, Bristol Rhythm & Roots, Hopscotch Music fest, Stockholm Americana, Bergen Fest, Americana Fest Nashville and The Ameripolitan Awards! YOU are the people who play a pivotal role in keeping this train rolling! Together we can take this to the next level and get another great record out into the world. Please help spread the word, we can't finish this without you! -Zephaniah
Who's producing the record?
I'm thrilled to announce that Neal Casal will be producing this next record. He is an artist, songwriter, and guitar player held in high regard. From his work as a member of Ryan Adams and The Cardinals, Chris Robinson Brotherhood, and Circles Around the Sun. To working with Willie Nelson, Lucinda Williams, and even being asked by The Grateful Dead to write and record set break music for the historic Fare Thee Well Shows. Needless to say Neal is more than qualified to help us see this thing through!
I have roughly 15 new songs that I’ve handpicked out of the many I've written since the last record. I'll be working closely with Neal to envision their sonic home. We’ll be heading back into the same studio in Brooklyn, NY where I made ‘This Highway’ and hopefully capture some more magic. I really believe these songs are my best work, and deserve to be heard. By joining this campaign you'll have a unique role that affords you an insiders look into the recording process, and the release of a professional record. We'll be making frequent updates here on the status of this process and you'll have a front row seat.
Where does all the money go?
I've become well acquainted with the huge financial undertaking that is making a record after my experience making 'This Highway'. The good news is my experience gave me the know how to budget smartly, and to know where I can make informed efficient financial decisions. So this record may wind up costing slightly less, but it's still very expensive!
Primary Phase:
Studio Costs The most timely and efficient way to make this record still requires roughly 12 days in the studio. Here's a basic breakdown of studio fees.
3 days of basic tracking in Studio A with the full band live
5 days of vocal overdubs and instrument overdubs in Studio B
4 days to mix the record in Studio B (this is what creates the final musical landscape you hear on a record)
In this primary phase we also include the fee paid to the Engineer(Aaron Nevezie) during the session. This is the person who operates the board in the studio and everything used to record sound.
The other significant sum of money in this phase is to pay the musicians for their time and hardwork. They will be giving up other work during this time, to be available for the sessions. These are 10 hour days from 10am-8pm. Some of these guys also have children and need to make money to cover child care and other costs of living.
Estimated Total for Primary phase $17,625
Final phase:
Mastering This is the last step before it goes into production and is sent to be pressed and digitized. This costs roughly $1,800 which includes the cost for the tape transfer to the acetate/lacquer which is what Vinyl records are cut from. The other part being the many hours a mastering engineer spends making sure the recording frequencies sound the best they can on every type of speaker or device.
Other miscellaneous and necessary costs:
Master 2 inch tape for basic tracking $300
1 and 1/2 inch tape for the mixing process $275,
****Grand total: $20,000****
Stretch goal #1 $5000 This will allow us to launch a radio and print campaign in the U.S. I did this with 'This Highway' and it will be crucial in the actual release of the album. We will offer a special release related to the record if we hit this goal. Stay tuned for more developments.
This would bring the campaign to $25,000
Stretch goal #2 $3500: This will cover the additional costs of PR and other costs not mentioned previously. This will also improve the quality of the special release related to the first stretch goal.
This would bring the campaign to $28,500
FUZZY TOWN COSMIC GUITAR NOW AVAILABLE! (only two available)
To see more of his work go to www.zohora.com
Who's in the band??
Playin' in the band:
John Shannon (electric guitar/acoustic guitar) John and I go back many years now. We met at our old day jobs. He is one of my closest friends and someone who I’ve played hundreds of hours of country music with on local gigs in New York. Not only one of the brightest and most talented musicians many of us have ever met, he's been my right hand man on electric guitar for my tours in 2018. Together we've also co-written some of the songs that are on the list for the record. He also played most of the acoustic/high strung guitar you heard on ‘This Highway’.
Jon Graboff (pedal steel guitar) Jon is a seasoned and in many people’s eyes one of the great steel players of our time. He has toured the world over with Ryan Adams & The Cardinals, Cyndi Lauper, and Iris Dement to name just a few. He’s also been my go to touring steel player and he played all of the pedal steel guitar parts on ‘This Highway’. A true ‘man of ideas’ in the studio.
Roy Williams (piano) Roy is an incredible player on many instruments and a great songwriter and composer. Another one of my longtime New York friends. We’ve spent hundreds of hours trading tunes in bars and clubs around the city and in his home in Brooklyn. Roy lent his beautiful piano playing to ‘This Highway’ and I’m thrilled to have him on the team for part two!
Jeff Hill (Bass) Not only is Jeff Hill one of the premiere bass players in New York City he is also a producer and fantastic singer. He has played on and produced many records. He is currently a member of Chris Robinson Brotherhood. He has also played for and worked with Rufus Wainwright, Shooter Jennings, Teddy Thompson, Dori Freeman, Linda Thompson to name a few. I've always enjoyed the times I've played music with him so it's an honor to have him on board!
Arthur Vint (drums) Another one of the soon to be legendary New York guys. Artie and I have also spent hundreds upon hundreds of hours together playing Merle Haggard songs and other classic country around New York together. We’ve also spent much time on the road together. Arthur is not only a world class drummer but a great composer and music director as well. He’s got one heck of a pocket and impeccable time, so he will be the machine holding us all together.
There will be some other very special and some well known guests appearing on the record soon to be announced!
The Bunker Studio
International Backers Bonus:
Every international backer for this project who chooses a physical item priced at $25 or above that requires additional funds for shipping will receive the following BONUS ITEMS as part of their reward bundle
- Rare Zephaniah & The 18 Wheelers 'Rockwood files'. Live digital tracks from performances in the early days in New York City
- Rare Zephaniah & The 18 Wheelers live radio broadcast from the early days
- Special first listen of the new album before it's official release
- custom Zephaniah pin
- custom Zephaniah stickers
Risks and challenges
If this campaign is a success: the only major risk is the timing of the release of the record. There is much planning and many steps beyond the recording process to release a record. We know it will get done it's just a matter of when. We start basic tracking in January and mixing no later than March. I hope to release the album in late spring. It's possible there could be delays and it will be pushed back. However the album will be released in 2019 regardless.
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Funding period
- (29 days)