Music is Art. Music is Not Dead.
My name is Astrid Young. In my career, I've achieved many things, played massive stages all over the world, worked with some real legends in the music industry, and played or sang on dozens of records. My voice is even on an album (Neil Young's Harvest Moon) that's been "officially" played in space!
But in my estimation, none of that compares to what I'm doing right now. Here's why it's important to me.
Now, even though i've done lots of things and had a pretty good run, career-wise, I'm still firmly planted in the "cult" section of music history. Don't get me wrong, THAT'S TOTALLY OKAY BY ME. I made a commitment to my muse a long time ago. I make music for art's sake and I do not compromise. The records I make are VERY good. They sound great, the songs are good. But because I don't fit into the paradigm of what record companies are looking for -- young, viral, manipulatable, or shoehorned into a specific genre -- it's up to me to make things happen for myself. And that's also okay.
But here's the thing. It's not just me who thinks my music is pretty awesome.
Music is my life. And in that life, I have achieved the ultimate: I have managed to grab the attention of some of the biggest names in music, people whose work has informed my art since the beginning of (my) time.
Imagine if you got to meet your heroes and they were just as enthusiastic about you as you are about them. It's like that.
This is who i'm talking about:
EDDIE KRAMER
Eddie Kramer is like walking music history. He's responsible for all of YOUR favorite records; Jimi Hendrix, Led Zeppelin, David Bowie, Kiss, Bad Company, The Rolling Stones... and the list goes on. and on. and on. And now he's helming MY project, remixing some choice tracks from the original album (One Night at Giant Rock), and cutting seven brand new tracks with us.
We're already working. The single, Lay Me Down (Borrowed Tune) is already out there, thanks to Dark Spark Music (DIST/THE ORCHARD).
What's it like working with Eddie Kramer? Let's just say, there's a reason this guy is legendary, you wouldn't believe how jaw-droppingly amazing my music sounds with his hands and ears on it. It's nothing short of mind-blowing in every single way you define having one's mind blown. He created the soundtrack of our lives. And now I'm part of that. So much gratitude!
Let me tell you about Victor DeLorenzo...
Victor DeLorenzo produced the original version of One Night at Giant Rock with me. He's an original Violent Femme and of course, I'm a big fan. We met in 2012 and making this record with him was such a revelation to me. He twisted my creativity in ways I could not have imagined. Every time we play together it's like having an out-of-body experience. Musically, we just fit. And the proof is in the album. Yes, we're remixing it, but it's bloody good already. Even Eddie agrees... but now it's going to be that much better.
and when David J. joined the party...
Victor also plays in a band called Night Crickets with David J, whom you might know from such bands as Love & Rockets and Bauhaus. When Victor played our album for David, he got really excited about playing on the new project. So much so, in fact, that he asked me to play piano on the new Night Crickets record ... but that's another story!
I probably don't have to tell you, this is a "pinch me" moment. Three people I admire so much, three people whose work is part of modern music history, all of whom are coming to this project with the same kind of enthusiasm that I have about it.
Truly, i must have done something right.
For me, this is the dream. For you, it's an opportunity...
to be a part of creating something significant.
In making this album, we want to take you along for the ride. And what a ride it will be.
Why We Are Crowdfunding This Project
We made the decision to crowdfund this project because we want to make this record on our own terms. Record companies don't make records like this anymore. It's up to the artist to create their own legacy, and this is mine. Everyone, every player, every technician, and everybody involved will be paid what they are worth.
The result will be an album of uncompromising quality, an audiophile vinyl package, complete with art and photography, remixes, behind-the-scenes content, and live shows featuring all the amazing musicians who played on the past and present versions of the record. Some lucky folks will also have the opportunity to be a "fly on the wall" as we work. Whether you want to do that virtually or in person, that's up to you!
Have you ever wondered how great art is made?
This is your chance to be a part of it. Great records stand the test of time. One Night at Giant Rock, in its original state, still sounds incredible. The songs are timeless and I guarantee they'll stick in your head. The new songs are quite spectacular and already building great excitement both in and out of the control room.
So imagine what we can do with Eddie Kramer at the desk... and your support! By contributing to this campaign, you can join us on this page of music history, and I mean that quite literally.
People talk about how rock is dead. They could not be further off base. Music is alive and well, it's just the machine driving it that's broken with two wheels in the ditch.
We can't solve the problems of the music business, but what we can do is keep making music and art of uncompromising quality... for us, FOR YOU, for posterity!
As my brother Neil is so fond of saying, QUALITY WHETHER YOU WANT IT OR NOT! (actually i think it was LA Johnson that said that, but you can count them as the same person on occasion).
Anyway... I want to introduce you to these amazing, incredible people, to invite you into our world, to experience the creative process, and to join us in this epic endeavor to make an album that will live through the ages, just as many of your favorite albums live on and continue to fill your life with pleasure and your heart with joy.
What We Need & What You Get
More than half of that budget will go to the actual recording, to paying the musicians, studios, techs, and all the lovely people involved in making it happen. The rest will go into manufacturing and delivering the best product possible.
PRESALE
All vinyl packages include 180-gram audiophile vinyl, photography, session notes and lyrics, numbered prints, plus a high-resolution digital download so you can listen anywhere.
LIVE SHOWS
Fancy a private rock show for you and your favorite people?
This will be the coolest perk. You'll get a full meet and greet with everyone in the band -- that is, everyone that played on the original and the deluxe vinyl edition -- plus two signed numbered copies of the box set for you, and 10 standard double vinyl packages you can give to your peeps, swag to commemorate the event, and more.
These shows are limited, but man will they be a blast! Eric McFadden (P-Funk), Joe Gore (PJ Harvey, Tom Waits), Ray Farrugia (Junkhouse), and the many others who played on the original will be there to play just for you and your friends! Plus David J., Victor, and myself, of course. These may be THE ONLY SHOWS THAT FEATURE ALL THE PLAYERS, and we'll be filming every second, so it's your chance to not only be a part of it, but also be featured in the documented footage.
There's only three of these shows available, one on each US coast and a third in a place to be determined. Maybe Canada? Maybe someplace closer to you? hmm ...
VIRTUAL SHOWS/VIRTUAL SESSIONS
Logistically, it's challenging to make a lot of live shows happen. There may be a tour in our future, but for now … you can tap into one of our live private shows or sessions via a private link.
Virtual packages feature a high-resolution multi-camera private feed you can watch at home or wherever it suits you.
Two-way comms are enabled so you can direct message your Q&A and interact with the band, Eddie, and our crew when we take breaks.
QUALITY MUSIC DOES NOT "JUST HAPPEN!"
THIS IS THE IMPACT OF YOUR CONTRIBUTION...
People imagine that just because music can be had for free that it's free to make. It's not. If you want to make quality music, you need the right people, the right studios, enough time, and significant investment.
Recording budgets today are non-existent. So we are taking matters into our own hands. Do you trust us? If you're fans of good music, you ought to. We have all been making very reliably good music for a long time.
I write good songs, i make good-sounding records, but these guys i'm working with -- they know how to take it over the top. And apparently, THEY think i am pretty cool and that i have something going on musically that they want to be a part of.
Working together, with your support, we're going to make something very special.
Music is so devalued these days, it's important to me that everyone gets what they are worth.
We have a global distribution network in place and ready to go as soon as we have product in hand. That means the finished product will ship to you from your country, wherever you are in the world.
OWN THE SINGLE!
As a big hearty THANK YOU, all contributors will receive a high-rez digital download of our first single, Lay Me Down. This perk will be delivered to your inbox IMMEDIATELY for your listening enjoyment. I have some cool footage from the sessions I'll be sending you too, as soon as you sign up. You're on the inside now, and I couldn't be more excited for you to experience this epic reimagining of One Night at Giant Rock. As the song says, One Night Changes Everything. (Of course, you'll have to wait til the record is done to hear that song, but trust me, it's a good one!
Other Ways You Can Help
I fully realize that some of you won't be able to contribute, but that doesn't mean you can't help or be a part of the journey. If you just want to donate without participating in the bigger campaign scheme of things (thank you a million times a million), you can do that too. There's a donation button and you are welcome to pay what you can. As a thank you, I will send you the single and add you to our closed email group so you can stay on top of what's happening.
Here are a few things you might do that will help immensely:
- Put the word out to your friends... Maybe you can convince someone to buy a show and then you can come too! How cool would that be? We'd love to meet you!
- Purchase a house concert or a virtual living room concert
Love is all you need xo Astrid, Eddie, Victor, David, Tim, Ray, Mark, Brent, Jason, Vicky, John, and everyone.