Recording an album is not only an arduous task, but an expensive one too. However, thanks to crowdfunding websites like Kickstarter, bands and other such artists have been able to reach out to audiences across the globe for support.
Recording an album is not only an arduous task, but an expensive one too. However, thanks to crowdfunding websites like Kickstarter, bands and other such artists have been able to reach out to audiences across the globe for support.
One such artist is Clair Morgan, who has taken to Kickstarter with the hopes of getting support for his second album.
The major difference this time around is Clair Morgan’s self-titled band has increased in size, growing from two members to seven.
“We’ve gained a flexibility to write/create, laying supportive parts within the songs we write,” said Morgan. “With seven bandmates, almost any idea we come up with musically, we should be able to cover.”
Compared to his first album, which was recorded with just himself and his sound engineer, this is a step forward in terms of not only sound but performance.
“The original plan for all of the bandmates, I think, as they’ve joined was to learn and help me figuring out how to represent the songs from that first album as a band,” said Morgan. “But now I [also] have six other bandmates to throw ideas off of and be influenced by.”
Morgan tackled the issue of live performances after his first album by inviting his friends who lived along the east coast to come to Richmond when he performed shows, but decided against that approach on this album.
“I decided I wanted to try to find local bandmates to simplify performing live,” said Morgan.
Through a mixture of established contacts and online posts, Morgan was able to put together a group of similarly minded musicians.
“It’s been really fun growing together as a band with this group,” said Morgan.
With the band members firmly established, the next step to conquer was putting together an album. To help cover the costs, they’ve turned to Kickstarter and created a finance campaign.
“I ran a Kickstarter campaign to help cover costs for my first album and was really happy with how it turned out. So [I] thought it could be a way to go for this album as well,” said Morgan.
With this album, Morgan hopes to show growth from his previous album, No Notes. “I think the music composition has gotten more interesting with everyone else’s input.” Morgan said.
Not only hoping to reach both new and old fans, Morgan also has his family in mind.
“I also want to continue to record albums to bring my two sons, Henry (4) and Jack (2), up in a musical, creative, and fun environment with my wife Cristin,” said Morgan. “I’m just trying to make a record my sons will like… or get embarrassed by when they’re 15.”
Morgan is aware that crowdfunding isn’t for everyone, but urges people on the fence to give his project a shot.
“We’re a good group of people/musicians that are passionate about the music we write together and want to record the best album possible as a group to see where the band can grow from here,” said Morgan. “If you’ve been to a show, enjoyed a song of ours, and are inclined to support music on any level, supporting our project helps us afford more resources to create the best album we possibly can.”
You can check out their video as well as support their Kickstarter campaign here.
