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My name is Dave Smallen and Im a Songwriter and Artist from Oakland CA. Im just now putting the finishing touches on a new record that Im calling Happiness. I began writing this batch of songs in the Summer of 2008 and started recording it in March of this year, so this project has been a long time coming. I cant tell you how excited I am to have this music out in the world.
Ive been producing this album myself and much of it Ive self-recorded as well. Im doing this fundraising to offset the costs of several days of recording (drums, bass, piano, etc...) in a high-end recording studio with a professional audio engineer, as well as paying a mixing engineer to spend five days mixing the album at the same location. I also invested in some essential recording gear, have traveled all around California throughout this process, and will be paying to have the album mastered this month. Id also like to throw some of my friends that performed on it a little cash for their amazing efforts. All of this together has already cost much more than $4,000 (from my own pocket), so whatever were able to raise will be a great help to me.
Previously, as the singer/songwriter of Street to Nowhere, I wandered through the labyrinth of the music business via a contract with Capitol Records and I learned that the intentions of a big business like that often conflict with the process of making art. As a solo artist, Ive been much happier in my day to day life keeping it DIY and being in control even though Im living within the constraints of a small and often unreliable income. Im grateful that platforms such as this now exist to help someone like me stay independent, with music as my main focus, and still pay rent and buy groceries.
In return for your contribution, Ill be writing and drawing and carving and painting and singing and recording for you. Ive never had an easy time asking for help, but I feel good about this knowing that everything youll receive from your donation will be product of my own head and hands. Beyond this, Id really appreciate your help in spreading the word about my upcoming record, as well as this campaign.
Thank you so so much for your support, now and throughout the last ten years. Youre the reason I am able to do what I love and share it, and for that I could never fully express my appreciation.
All my love,
Dave
PS: If you havent yet heard it, I released the first single from Happiness a few weeks ago - Its called Sometimes The Right Cure Takes A Little More Pain Give it a listen, here: http://davesmallen.bandcamp.com/track/sometimes...
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$5,171
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RAISED OF $4,000 GOAL
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TIME LEFT
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Perks for your contribution:
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Personalized CD: $15
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| I will create custom packaging and make a one-of-a-kind design on a CD version of my new album, "Happiness," just for you.
(You'll have it in your mailbox by the day of the official album release) |
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54 Claimed
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"I Was Never Cool..." Woodcut: $40
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| Receive a hand printed block-print of my "I Was Never Cool, But I Got Something To Say" woodcut. You can view the print here: http://www.davesmallen.com/0125.html -
Print image is 6" X 9" - You'll also receive a personalized CD of my new album. |
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10 Claimed
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"STRCTALMP" Woodcut: $50
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| Receive a hand printed block-print of my "Sometimes The Right Cure Takes A Little More Pain" woodcut. You can view the print here: http://www.davesmallen.com/0116.html
- Print image is 8.5" X 12"
You'll also receive a personalized CD of my new album. |
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8 Claimed
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Cover Song: $125
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| I will record myself covering any song of your choosing and send it to you attached to a nice email.
You'll also receive a personalized CD. |
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6 Claimed
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Custom Woodcut Print: $225
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| I will carve and hand print a woodcut version of an image that you provide me. This could be a photograph, a drawing, or even some of your favorite words... You'll receive an edition of 6 prints. Print image will be 6" X 9" -
Personalized CD included! |
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3 Claimed
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Book Of Woodcuts And Lyrics: $425
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| I'll be doing at least a dozen woodcuts for the album artwork that goes with "Happiness." For this perk, I will bind them all together in an awesome book, complete with hand-written lyrics - I'm envisioning something like the Gutenberg Bible, or Jung's Red Book.
(Hoping someone orders this one as it'll be fun to make). I'll of course throw in a personalized CD. |
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1 Claimed
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Personal Song: $500
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| Tell me a little about something you or someone you love has been going though (or just let me in on a subject that interests you), and I'll write a song about it, record it, and mail it to you on CD w/ custom hand-made packaging.
You'll also get a personalized CD of "Happiness." |
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2 Claimed
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