A couple quick updates and a special goody for our backers today!
1) The survey is with Backerkit for review. That means (fingers crossed) that backers will be formally receiving a short survey this week to collect info like shipping address and t-shirt sizes. This is a big milestone in our release schedule and making sure we get 'Departure' and the other great items to you as quickly as possible.
2) We're into the very final stages of production. Everything is being mastered, the artwork is coming together, the liner notes and thank yous are lined up, and we've got the printers standing by. It's so exciting to see it all come together!
Now, if you're a backer of the project then you'll also be able to access and download the very first single off the album which will formally release in the next week - Haul Away Joe. This features some awesome samples from the great Leadbelly's version of the same song and a new, bluesy melody composed by our very own James. We'd love to hear your thoughts!
Things are moving along nicely and you'll very shortly be receiving an email survey to collect your shipping details and other preferences, like t-shirt size and colour. We are working through a small technical issue with the Backerkit platform related to local pickup options, but as soon as that's sorted the survey will go out.
In the meantime, we wanted to share the four fantastic new colourways for the t-shirts. We had a lot of debate about which colours to go for, before ultimately deciding we should listen to Richard's wife because she has far more style than all of us combined.
So with that, here are the awesome combinations to choose from. From left to right: Beach Vibes (blue on sand), Classic (white on black), Hidden Treasure (gold on black) and Blackout (black on black)
And here's a sizing chart:
T-shirts will also be available as an add-on if you're finding your summer wardrobe needs a bit more awesomeness in it.
THANK YOU SO MUCH! We exceeded our goal thanks to your incredible support. Here's what happens now and what to expect over the coming weeks.
1. THIS WEEK: We did a full album listening party together yesterday, agreed the tracks for Departure, the digital bonus download, and the tracks for the Sea Sides EP. They're all fantastic, of course, and we have some very small tweaks to a handful mixes that will be completed this week. We have some samples that need to be cleared and that will also happen starting this week. Finally, we'll be locking in the designs and colourways for the beloved t-shirts.
2. NEXT TWO WEEKS: A few tracks are being mastered already but the remainder will be shipped out. We're prioritizing digital mastering with the analogue (vinyl) as a fast follow simply because that will enable us to release a single and start promoting properly. We'll also be finalizing the artwork, liner notes, and thank yous. MOST IMPORTANTLY, you'll also receive a survey during this time to get all the important information from you like t-shirt size and colour, shipping address etc.
3. BACK END OF JUNE: We'll be off to printing and production! As soon as we have them in-hand, we'll start shipping. Our plan is to get everything packaged up and ready to go over the course of a weekend and do one large mail drop, which of course we'll be very excited about and let you all know about.
In the meantime, expect regular updates from us right here - and if you have any questions, simply pop us a note to [email protected]
This is our first ever crowdfund and you've made it a success and a pleasure, so one last time for the kids in the cheap seats: THANK YOU!!!
Just a very quick update today. Our campaign closes at the end of the week and THANK YOU again to everyone who's supported us.
We have just sent the first three tracks off to be mastered and will be sharing a sneak peek with all of our backers as soon as we get the first track back.
We are well on track to have the album fully mastered by mid-June at which point we'll pop everything off to be printed. We anticipate being able to share digital download codes and ship the CDs in July, with the LPs as a fast-follow (they just take longer to manufacture).
Only 6 days to go - please help us continue to spread the word!
Thank you all so much for your incredible support. We have the first three singles from the album being mastered now and will share them with you as soon as we can.
Stay tuned for more updates as we finalize the album! We will also be reaching out to everyone to confirm shipping details, t-shirt sizes etc. once the campaign closes.
Sad news this past week as the world’s last living REAL shantyman, George “Tall 12” Frederick, passed away at the age of 79.
Tall 12 was the real deal: A whaling gunman who would set out every morning from the town of Barrouallie in St. Vincent in a 6-person row boat with a harpoon gun mounted at the bow to hunt pilot whale. St. Vincent remains one of only two places in the world with an exemption to the International Whaling Convention and the people of Barrouallie still hunt and eat whale to this day - the continuation of a necessity of survival in what was historically a town accessible only by sea.
Our conversations with Tall 12 and the time we spent in studio with him was a huge influence on 'Departure' and opened our eyes to some of the core, vital aspects of shanties.
We had the unbelievable pleasure of meeting, listening to, and singing with Tall 12 in October of 2022. We travelled to Barrouallie and spent a week filming a documentary and album with him - both of which we will release after Departure is complete.
He was an absolute live wire - full of jokes (or “antics” as he called them), stories, and of course incredible songs. In fact, James learned our version of Seven Long Years from the big man himself.
Tall 12 was also the very tail end of a long tradition of Vincentian shanties.
We spoke with his friend Vincent Reid, filmmaker and producer Akley Olton, and musicologist and shantyman Dan Lanier - all of whom knew Tall 12 for years - about his life and legacy and you can check out that whole interview here. We’ll also get an audio version posted on all podcast platforms this week.
So pour yourself a nice glass of rum and settle in for some stories and songs in memory of a true shanty legend.
it would have been really nice to have gotten anything. Even the link for the digital version doesn't work.
I paid a bunch of money for a CD and a book, and have gotten not only nothing, but never even got a response. Shame on you
