From: owner-ecto-digest@smoe.org (ecto-digest) To: ecto-digest@smoe.org Subject: ecto-digest V15 #210 Reply-To: ecto@smoe.org Sender: owner-ecto-digest@smoe.org Errors-To: owner-ecto-digest@smoe.org Precedence: bulk ecto-digest Tuesday, August 31 2010 Volume 15 : Number 210 To unsubscribe: e-mail ecto-digest-request@smoe.org and put the word unsubscribe in the message body. Today's Subjects: ----------------- Recent changes to the Ectophiles' Guide ["The Ectophiles' Guide" ] Elizabeth and the Catapult at Rockwood 2 [Karen Hester ] Newish things [Neile Graham ] Re: Newish things [Sarah Morayati ] Tegan Northwood [Neile Graham ] Re: Newish things [Neile Graham ] any thoughts on Sellaband vs Kickstarter vs PledgeMusic? [Birdie ] Re: Gaba (Gabriela) Kulka [Paul Jensen ] Re: any thoughts on Sellaband vs Kickstarter vs PledgeMusic? [Paul Blair ] ---------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Mon, 30 Aug 2010 04:18:09 -0700 From: "The Ectophiles' Guide" Subject: Recent changes to the Ectophiles' Guide Latest changes to the Ectophiles' Guide 29 August 2010 New Guide entries added for: * Meredith Blis * Blue Line Highway * Moulettes * Natural History Museum * Meshell Ndegeocello * Mikkl Ploug, Sissel Vera Pettersen, Joachim Badenhorst * Emily Portman * Elisete Retter * Emily Jane White * White Magic * Kathryn Williams Changes made to the entries for: * Tori Amos (new album) * Katy Carr (new album) * Alicia Dara (new album) * Goldfrapp (new album) * Patty Griffin (new album) * Shakira (new album) * Laura Veirs (new album) - -------------------------------------------------------------------------- You are receiving this email because you have asked to be notified of updates to the Ectophiles' Guide to Good Music at http://www.ectoguide.org/. If you are no longer interested in receiving these notifications, please unsubscribe yourself using the form at http://www.ectoguide.org/guide.cgi?newsubscribe&action=unsubscribe ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 30 Aug 2010 15:09:46 +0200 From: Andrzej Subject: Gaba (Gabriela) Kulka You may already know this but last year Gaba Kulka (it seems she no longer releases her music as Gabriela Kulka) released her third album: "Hat, Rabbit" (it went Gold in Poland shortly after its release), an collaboration album with Konrad Kucz: "Sleepwalk" (as Kucz/Kulka), and remastered and reissued her second album: "Out". "Out" was a largely piano-based album, whereas "Hat, Rabbit" is a full-band recording with brass on some tracks. There are two guest appearances: Konstanty Andrzej Kulka (Gaba's father) plays violin on "Lady Celeste" and Czeslaw Mozil (a member of the band Tesco Value, he recently found success in Poland with his solo project Czeslaw Spiewa) sings duet with Gaba on "Aaa..." & joins in the shouts on "Niejasnosci". The songs here are so diverse that at times "Hat, Rabbit" seems a bit messy. Otherwise, this is a very strong album. It's hard to pick my favourite, but I'll go with the charming "Bosso" (the lyrics are full of wordplay, so it helps if you understand Polish). Three radio singles were released in Poland: "Niejasnosci" (a music video was also made - it was massively played on alternative radios here), "Kara Niny" and "Hat, Meet Rabbit". "Sleepwalk", in contrast, is a more electronic based project. The music is hard to describe - retro-ambient art-pop probably? There are lots of sounds that could have been sampled from some old movies and music. It's definitely a more accessible album that "Hat, Rabbit" to me, and all the lyrics are in English. At times it's reminiscent of Cocteau Twins fronted by Tori Amos, but it's more than just that -- Gaba and Konrad Kucz not copying anyone here. I loved "Got a Song" instantly, it's the most conventional pop song Gaba's ever sung. The airy "Electric Sheep", the quirky "Dead Yet", and "Man of Winter" (where the Cocteau Twins influence is most noticeable) are my favourites too. There are some interesting ambients instrumentals too. On the other side, I think the sample looped on "Keep It Down" is really annoying. The radio singles in Poland were: "Got a Song" (with a music video), "Man of Winter" (had a music video too, but got little to no airplay), "Recurring". I think that either "Dead Yet" or "Your Drum" was the 4th one, can't remember which one though. Gaba has decided that her first release ("Between Miss Scylla and a Hard Place") will stay out of print as she's not satisfied with it. Three of its tracks are included as bonuses on the "Out" reissue. More recently, she made "Hat, Rabbit" and "Out" available to order from Amazon, as well as digital downloads from Bandcamp. The Bandcamp download of "Hat, Rabbit" has a bonus non-CD track, "Devil's Headlights", which I freaking *love*. There's also a digital single on Bandcamp: a cover of a Polish classic "Na pierwszy znak" and a free download of two demos of songs from "Hat, Rabbit". The great thing with Bandcamp is that it allows you to listen to the whole album before buying it. I only don't know why Kucz/Kulka's "Sleepwalk" still hasn't been released outside of Poland. I think it was released under a different label but I might be wrong. See http://music.gabakulka.com/ for downloads & http://tinyurl.com/gaba-amazon for CDs. - -- Andrzej / Andrew (By the way, this is my first post to Ecto, and it's my 17th birthday today!) ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 30 Aug 2010 11:56:51 -0400 From: Karen Hester Subject: Elizabeth and the Catapult at Rockwood 2 Elizabeth and the Catapult were great at Rockwood 2 last night. New album due late Oct. Woo-hoo! Some pop, some ballads, some strings, some stomping and clapping ghostly Americana things plus Gillian Welch and David Rawlings on BVs (on the album, not at Rockwood!) Elizabeth was amused that Google bought her song 'Race you' for an advert - "it's basically a kid's song." She seemed a bit annoyed though accepting that the dumbest songs become popular. I was sitting front row behind the piano, a metre away from the singers' bums. A good view of neck hair, inner arm tattoos and tattoos hidden under shirts. Opener Katie Costello's white-blond hair went pretty pastel colors under the lights. She has a sweet voice with a pronounced lisp which makes her sound alternately like a bluesy drunken lush and a young girl. Hs appear alongside Ss - seashore = sheshore etc. I don't mind her for a few songs but her simple chords aren't too gripping musically. She's even unadventurous in space, her hands directly in front of her body, rarely reaching to the right of the Y in Steinway and Sons. Gabriel Kahane is very clever. His Cole Porter pastiche 'Let's not settle down (together)' was great. Another song was inspired by Joan Didion's "taut, spare prose." He almost sang a song called 'CraigsList lieder' but the audience requested he cover Cee-Lo Green's 'Fuck you' instead, not being quite so cultured. Most of his music was too musical/cabaret-ish for me but his persona - goofily precocious - was amusing and he is talented. K. ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 30 Aug 2010 09:53:50 -0700 From: Neile Graham Subject: Re: Gaba (Gabriela) Kulka Hi, Andrzej/Andrew! Welcome to posting on ecto, and thanks for the heads up about Gaba. I guess I should now change her Ectophiles' Guide page. Oh, and Happy Birthday! - --Neile - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Neile Graham .... neile@sff.net/@zipcon.com ... www.sff.net/people/neile Les Semaines: A Weekly Journal ........ www.sff.net/people/neile/semaines Editor, The Ectophiles' Guide to Good Music ........... www.ectoguide.org Workshop Administrator, Clarion West ................ www.clarionwest.org On Aug 30, 2010, at 6:09 AM, Andrzej wrote: > You may already know this but last year Gaba Kulka (it seems she no > longer releases her music as Gabriela Kulka) released her third album: > "Hat, Rabbit" (it went Gold in Poland shortly after its release), an > collaboration album with Konrad Kucz: "Sleepwalk" (as Kucz/Kulka), and > remastered and reissued her second album: "Out". > > "Out" was a largely piano-based album, whereas "Hat, Rabbit" is a > full-band recording with brass on some tracks. There are two guest > appearances: Konstanty Andrzej Kulka (Gaba's father) plays violin on > "Lady Celeste" and Czeslaw Mozil (a member of the band Tesco Value, he > recently found success in Poland with his solo project Czeslaw Spiewa) > sings duet with Gaba on "Aaa..." & joins in the shouts on > "Niejasnosci". > The songs here are so diverse that at times "Hat, Rabbit" seems a bit > messy. Otherwise, this is a very strong album. It's hard to pick my > favourite, but I'll go with the charming "Bosso" (the lyrics are full > of wordplay, so it helps if you understand Polish). > Three radio singles were released in Poland: "Niejasnosci" (a music > video was also made - it was massively played on alternative radios > here), "Kara Niny" and "Hat, Meet Rabbit". > > "Sleepwalk", in contrast, is a more electronic based project. The > music is hard to describe - retro-ambient art-pop probably? There are > lots of sounds that could have been sampled from some old movies and > music. It's definitely a more accessible album that "Hat, Rabbit" to > me, and all the lyrics are in English. At times it's reminiscent of > Cocteau Twins fronted by Tori Amos, but it's more than just that -- > Gaba and Konrad Kucz not copying anyone here. > I loved "Got a Song" instantly, it's the most conventional pop song > Gaba's ever sung. The airy "Electric Sheep", the quirky "Dead Yet", > and "Man of Winter" (where the Cocteau Twins influence is most > noticeable) are my favourites too. There are some interesting ambients > instrumentals too. On the other side, I think the sample looped on > "Keep It Down" is really annoying. > The radio singles in Poland were: "Got a Song" (with a music video), > "Man of Winter" (had a music video too, but got little to no airplay), > "Recurring". I think that either "Dead Yet" or "Your Drum" was the 4th > one, can't remember which one though. > > Gaba has decided that her first release ("Between Miss Scylla and a > Hard Place") will stay out of print as she's not satisfied with it. > Three of its tracks are included as bonuses on the "Out" reissue. > More recently, she made "Hat, Rabbit" and "Out" available to order > from Amazon, as well as digital downloads from Bandcamp. The Bandcamp > download of "Hat, Rabbit" has a bonus non-CD track, "Devil's > Headlights", which I freaking *love*. > There's also a digital single on Bandcamp: a cover of a Polish classic > "Na pierwszy znak" and a free download of two demos of songs from > "Hat, Rabbit". > The great thing with Bandcamp is that it allows you to listen to the > whole album before buying it. > > I only don't know why Kucz/Kulka's "Sleepwalk" still hasn't been > released outside of Poland. I think it was released under a different > label but I might be wrong. > > See http://music.gabakulka.com/ for downloads & > http://tinyurl.com/gaba-amazon for CDs. > > -- Andrzej / Andrew > > > (By the way, this is my first post to Ecto, and it's my 17th birthday today!) ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 30 Aug 2010 10:16:49 -0700 From: Neile Graham Subject: Newish things Since I've had a few weeks to breathe between running a writing workshop and getting back to my day job, I've been working on the Ectophiles' Guide a bit. I indulged myself and added a couple of my recent obsessions, so for those of you who don't check out The Guide, here are a few new things I've been loving. - ---------- Moulettes http://www.ectoguide.org/artists/moulettes http://www.myspace.com/moulettes Kinda like a mix between Rasputina and Gaba Kulka. I said, "A rolicking dark Gothic good time. Theatrical. Over the top. Delightful." Then about their self-titled debut album: "Songs about devils and cannibals and "Bloodshed in the Woodshed," oh my. It's an amazingly fun and catchy album. The vocals and harmonies are gorgeous, the instrumentation is clever and lively, and the songwriting just delightful. The CD includes the dark and artful video for "Devil of Mine", a song which will glue itself into your head. You owe it to yourself to go and check out the samples at least." Unfortunately, the CD is only currently available in the U.K. - ---------- Emily Portman http://www.ectoguide.org/artists/portman.emily http://www.emilyportman.co.uk/ http://www.myspace.com/emilygportman In the vein of Sandy Denny, Lisa Knapp, Karine Polwart, Teresa Doyle I said: "Emily Portman is an astonishingly talented songwriter. Over the decades I have been interested in traditional music, I have heard many attempts to write contemporary material that has the depth and echoes of traditional balladsa feat that Emily Portman manages handily. It helps that she has a gorgeous, evocative, clear voice and also that the arrangements of her songs are inventive and evocative. Describing her music on the basis of the glamoury, I will watch avidly for more solo workit's brilliant so far." The about the album, I said: "he glamoury is truly impressive debut. The songwriting is shockingly goodin my listening experience, it's really difficult to pull off good neo-traditional songwriting and from the evidence here Emily Portman does this with such aplomb that her glorious version of "Two Sister" doesn't overshadow the rest of the album. These are strong, magical songs of transformation from the very first track, "Bones and Feathers" about a woman who creates birds from things from on the street (the tunes and presentation here, especially her vocal swoops, remind me of early Joni Mitchell). The songs evoke charms as she sings about selkies, sirens, magical coats, and more. Highly, highly recommended." Also unfortunately, UK only. - ---------- Kathryn Williams - The quickening http://www.ectoguide.org/artists/williams.kathryn http://kathrynwilliams.net http://www.myspace.com/kathrynwilliams About the album, I said: "This album is delightful from the very start of "50 White Lines," with its "Sparks like sparks" line being a good description of this charming collection. The pop songs have various flavours here, with hints of traditional English sounds, country, and torch song scattered throughout. My favourites here are the traditional-sounding "Winter is Sharp", the melancholy "There are Keys" and the lively "50 White Lines". This is a strong album and may very well be Kathryn Williams' best so far. Certainly to my ears her best since Little Black Numbers." This one has a U.S. release - --------- Other stuff: I have also been really enjoying the new Kristin Hersh--it's a gorgeous book with lyrics and info about the songs and links to downloadable versions of the songs. Disappointed in Eliza Carthy & Norma Waterson's duo project, Gift. It's just a style of traditional music that's not my favourite. Also don't like the new Emily Jane White nearly as much as I grew to love her first. The new Katy Carr is brilliant, but I've already raved about that here. Also enjoying the new(ish) Tuung, Baxter (thanks, Anna Maria!), Sophie Hunger, and have I mentioned Lonelady yet? (great for those who miss Dalbello and 80s music) - ---------- Oh, and I also created a page for Natural History Museum, even though they don't have an official release yet. I'm tired of waiting. http://www.ectoguide.org/artists/natural.history.museum http://www.myspace.com/naturalhistorymuseum I said: "This is only the second time I have been so obsessed with pre-album-release samples over such a long period of time, waiting unsuccessfully for news of an official release, that I finally decided to include an artist based on on-line samples (for those interested, the other band was Aisth, which now at least has purchasable downloads). Natural History Museum is the magical combination of musicians Dunk Murphy and Carol Keogh, and as of August 2010 they have five songs available for listening at their MySpace page. These samples, which include four original tracks and one cover ("Beware of Darkness" by George Harrison) are amazingly hooky, strange, inventive, unique, haunting, and wonderful. I'm a little concerned that they will never release an album, as it was listed as forthcoming a couple of years ago, and the most recent addition to the page was the charming "Little Match Girl" in December 2008. I've played the hell out of these songs. Don't much care for the George Harrison cover, but that's probably just me because I'm so fond of the original. Their overall sound is almost undefinable: edgy and experimental, yet melodic and full of lyrical and sonic hooks. I can hardly wait for a real release as I LOVE LOVE LOVE these tunes. I really hope one happens." - ----------- - --Neile - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Neile Graham .... neile@sff.net/@zipcon.com ... www.sff.net/people/neile Les Semaines: A Weekly Journal ........ www.sff.net/people/neile/semaines Editor, The Ectophiles' Guide to Good Music ........... www.ectoguide.org Workshop Administrator, Clarion West ................ www.clarionwest.org ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 30 Aug 2010 13:54:41 -0400 From: Sarah Morayati Subject: Re: Newish things According to their site, they're (the Natural History Museum, that is) touring now, so at least they're not inactive. - -Sarah On Mon, 30 Aug 2010 10:16:49 -0700, Neile Graham wrote: > Since I've had a few weeks to breathe between running a writing workshop > and getting back to my day job, I've been working on the Ectophiles' Guide > a bit. I indulged myself and added a couple of my recent obsessions, so for > those of you who don't check out The Guide, here are a few new things I've > been loving. > > ---------- > > Moulettes > > http://www.ectoguide.org/artists/moulettes > http://www.myspace.com/moulettes > > Kinda like a mix between Rasputina and Gaba Kulka. I said, "A rolicking > dark Gothic good time. Theatrical. Over the top. Delightful." Then about > their self-titled debut album: "Songs about devils and cannibals and > "Bloodshed in the Woodshed," oh my. It's an amazingly fun and catchy album. > The vocals and harmonies are gorgeous, the instrumentation is clever and > lively, and the songwriting just delightful. The CD includes the dark and > artful video for "Devil of Mine", a song which will glue itself into your > head. You owe it to yourself to go and check out the samples at least." > > Unfortunately, the CD is only currently available in the U.K. > > ---------- > > Emily Portman > > http://www.ectoguide.org/artists/portman.emily > http://www.emilyportman.co.uk/ > http://www.myspace.com/emilygportman > > In the vein of Sandy Denny, Lisa Knapp, Karine Polwart, Teresa Doyle > > I said: "Emily Portman is an astonishingly talented songwriter. Over the > decades I have been interested in traditional music, I have heard many > attempts to write contemporary material that has the depth and echoes of > traditional balladsa feat that Emily Portman manages handily. It helps > that she has a gorgeous, evocative, clear voice and also that the > arrangements of her songs are inventive and evocative. Describing her music > on the basis of the glamoury, I will watch avidly for more solo workit's > brilliant so far." > > The about the album, I said: "he glamoury is truly impressive debut. The > songwriting is shockingly goodin my listening experience, it's really > difficult to pull off good neo-traditional songwriting and from the > evidence here Emily Portman does this with such aplomb that her glorious > version of "Two Sister" doesn't overshadow the rest of the album. These are > strong, magical songs of transformation from the very first track, "Bones > and Feathers" about a woman who creates birds from things from on the > street (the tunes and presentation here, especially her vocal swoops, > remind me of early Joni Mitchell). The songs evoke charms as she sings > about selkies, sirens, magical coats, and more. Highly, highly > recommended." > > Also unfortunately, UK only. > > ---------- > > Kathryn Williams - The quickening > > http://www.ectoguide.org/artists/williams.kathryn > http://kathrynwilliams.net > http://www.myspace.com/kathrynwilliams > > About the album, I said: "This album is delightful from the very start of > "50 White Lines," with its "Sparks like sparks" line being a good > description of this charming collection. The pop songs have various > flavours here, with hints of traditional English sounds, country, and torch > song scattered throughout. My favourites here are the traditional-sounding > "Winter is Sharp", the melancholy "There are Keys" and the lively "50 White > Lines". This is a strong album and may very well be Kathryn Williams' best > so far. Certainly to my ears her best since Little Black Numbers." > > This one has a U.S. release > > --------- > > Other stuff: > > I have also been really enjoying the new Kristin Hersh--it's a gorgeous > book with lyrics and info about the songs and links to downloadable > versions of the songs. > > Disappointed in Eliza Carthy & Norma Waterson's duo project, Gift. It's > just a style of traditional music that's not my favourite. > > Also don't like the new Emily Jane White nearly as much as I grew to love > her first. > > The new Katy Carr is brilliant, but I've already raved about that here. > > Also enjoying the new(ish) Tuung, Baxter (thanks, Anna Maria!), Sophie > Hunger, and have I mentioned Lonelady yet? (great for those who miss > Dalbello and 80s music) > > ---------- > > Oh, and I also created a page for Natural History Museum, even though they > don't have an official release yet. I'm tired of waiting. > > http://www.ectoguide.org/artists/natural.history.museum > http://www.myspace.com/naturalhistorymuseum > > I said: "This is only the second time I have been so obsessed with > pre-album-release samples over such a long period of time, waiting > unsuccessfully for news of an official release, that I finally decided to > include an artist based on on-line samples (for those interested, the other > band was Aisth, which now at least has purchasable downloads). > Natural History Museum is the magical combination of musicians Dunk > Murphy and Carol Keogh, and as of August 2010 they have five songs > available for listening at their MySpace page. These samples, which > include four original tracks and one cover ("Beware of Darkness" by > George Harrison) are amazingly hooky, strange, inventive, unique, > haunting, and wonderful. I'm a little concerned that they will never > release an album, as it was listed as forthcoming a couple of years > ago, and the most recent addition to the page was the charming "Little > Match Girl" in December 2008. I've played the hell out of these songs. > Don't much care for the George Harrison cover, but that's probably > just me because I'm so fond of the original. > Their overall sound is almost undefinable: edgy and experimental, yet > melodic and full of lyrical and sonic hooks. I can hardly wait for a > real release as I LOVE LOVE LOVE these tunes. I really hope one > happens." > > ----------- > > --Neile > > > ------------------------------------------------------------------------- > Neile Graham .... neile@sff.net/@zipcon.com ... www.sff.net/people/neile > Les Semaines: A Weekly Journal ........ www.sff.net/people/neile/semaines > Editor, The Ectophiles' Guide to Good Music ........... www.ectoguide.org > Workshop Administrator, Clarion West ................ www.clarionwest.org ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 30 Aug 2010 11:58:01 -0700 From: Neile Graham Subject: Tegan Northwood I CANNOT believe this album has been sitting around my house for nearly two years and I never listened to it until now. I also can't believe the other Ectophiles' Guide reviewers didn't grab this one when I offered it to them. This has been here so long (though many others have been here longer) that I finally started feeling guilty about this one and stuck in the player and now I'm insanely hooked. Tegan Northwood http://www.ectoguide.org/artists/northwood.tegan http://www.myspace.com/tegannorthwood My overall comments: "Tegan Northwood creates a powerfully woven electronic and organic mix of pop/rock. She really knows how to make gorgeous soundscapes using layered vocal tracks (and she has a terrific voice) in just the way that Ectophiles swoon for. I certainly did! I do occasionally hear the Single Gun Theory influence here, but also hear a lot of Halou and Heather Duby, and...really, while there are many artists who have worked this vein, Tegan Northwood's sound feels very much her own. And she has an outstanding voice--it's ethereal and earthy at the same time, just like her overall sound, which is simply beautiful." About her album, Last Days of Home: "Wow! From the first strains of this discwith its wonderful intertwining vocal linesI was hooked. This is gorgeous. The mix of earthy and electronic sounds is lovely, and the songs are all distinctive and full of hooks. I really cannot recommend this disc enough. Tegan Northwood has an amazing voice and knows how to make the best of it. Just listen." - --Neile - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Neile Graham .... neile@sff.net/@zipcon.com ... www.sff.net/people/neile Les Semaines: A Weekly Journal ........ www.sff.net/people/neile/semaines Editor, The Ectophiles' Guide to Good Music ........... www.ectoguide.org Workshop Administrator, Clarion West ................ www.clarionwest.org ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 30 Aug 2010 12:04:26 -0700 From: Neile Graham Subject: Re: Newish things It's so good to hear that! I've been getting worried that nothing more would appear from them. - --Neile On Aug 30, 2010, at 10:54 AM, Sarah Morayati wrote: > According to their site, they're (the Natural History Museum, that is) > touring now, so at least they're not inactive. > > -Sarah ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 30 Aug 2010 12:14:45 -0700 From: Birdie Subject: any thoughts on Sellaband vs Kickstarter vs PledgeMusic? Sellaband was the first https://www.sellaband.com/pages/how_it_works_artists it seemed to take off slowly.... then came Kickstarter http://www.kickstarter.com/ which is now taking off like gangbusters!! and then, there is Pledge Music (out of the UK) http://www.pledgemusic.com I am partial to Kickstarter - they present fab projects - all kinds and it's always an interesting browse. They only take 5% (the others both 15%), they have an easy on the eyes design and its fun to browse. It is also the most successful of the 3 and will be going international soon....meaning artists will be able to use it from outside the US. So exciting! Has anyone used all 3 or pledged at any of them? Lelia Broussard hit her goal of $5,000 in just 2 days on kickstarter and raised $15,000 by the closing date! So, her next album is funded. Kate Havnevik is up to 80% funded to get her next album mastered/pressed/printed on PledgeMusic - they send 10% off to the charity of the artists choosing. So 15% admin + 10% charity, leaves the artist with 75%. They absorb the credit card processing fee's in their 15%. I don't know if Sellaband does. Kickstarter doesn't but they use Amazon checkout, which is secure and stable and easy for most people. Artists I know have mixed views on using these services. Ones that have been indie and successful on their own - don't find it attractive whereas indie artists that need an extra hand, love them. Has anyone gotten any cool swag pledging, if so, what was your fave? Birdie ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 30 Aug 2010 12:16:35 -0700 From: Sue Trowbridge Subject: Re: Tegan Northwood On Mon, Aug 30, 2010 at 11:58 AM, Neile Graham wrote: > About her album, Last Days of Home: "Wow! From the first strains of this disc with its wonderful intertwining vocal lines I was hooked. This is gorgeous. The mix of earthy and electronic sounds is lovely, and the songs are all distinctive and full of hooks. I really cannot recommend this disc enough. Tegan Northwood has an amazing voice and knows how to make the best of it. Just listen." Wow, this is fantastic, Neile! I hate the quality of the streams on MySpace, but luckily two of her albums are available on Rhapsody, so I'm listening to "Last Days of Home" now. I hope other people on ecto check her out. Sometimes I think about all the incredible music in the world that I will never hear -- stuff I would adore if only I had the chance to listen. These days, I tend to find new things purely by happenstance - -- a recommendation on ecto, catching an artist on a TV show or NPR, reading a review that piques my interest -- but it's like trying to bail out the ocean with a teacup. - --Sue ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 30 Aug 2010 17:03:26 -0500 From: Paul Jensen Subject: Re: Gaba (Gabriela) Kulka Thanks for posting this, Andrzej! I have been a Gaba Kulka fan since "Miss Scylla" was released. It's been awesome to watch her evolve into a great, successful artist. Sad to hear her feelings on "Miss Scylla" - it definitely would benefit from re-recording, but there are so many GREAT tracks on it! Ah well.. Thanks for spreading some Gaba love! :-) Paul - -- ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ "This is the time. And this is the record of the time." -Laurie Anderson ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 30 Aug 2010 18:40:03 -0400 From: Paul Blair Subject: Re: any thoughts on Sellaband vs Kickstarter vs PledgeMusic? Yes, I pledged to help Deanna Kirk with her album *Stay* at Pledge Music. Looks like it was successful; she sent me a copy along with an unreleased new CD, *Lost in Languid Lovesongs.* I haven't had a chance to listen to them yet, though! On Mon, Aug 30, 2010 at 3:14 PM, Birdie wrote: > Sellaband was the first > https://www.sellaband.com/pages/how_it_works_artists > > it seemed to take off slowly.... > > then came Kickstarter http://www.kickstarter.com/ > > which is now taking off like gangbusters!! > > and then, there is Pledge Music (out of the UK) > > http://www.pledgemusic.com > > > I am partial to Kickstarter - they present fab projects - all kinds and > it's always an interesting browse. > > They only take 5% (the others both 15%), they have an easy on the eyes > design and its fun to browse. > > It is also the most successful of the 3 and will be going international > soon....meaning artists will be able to use it from outside the US. So > exciting! > > Has anyone used all 3 or pledged at any of them? > > Lelia Broussard hit her goal of $5,000 in just 2 days on kickstarter and > raised $15,000 by the closing date! > So, her next album is funded. > > Kate Havnevik is up to 80% funded to get her next album > mastered/pressed/printed on PledgeMusic - they send 10% off to the > charity of the artists choosing. So 15% admin + 10% charity, leaves the > artist with 75%. They absorb the credit card processing fee's in their > 15%. I don't know if Sellaband does. Kickstarter doesn't but they use > Amazon checkout, which is secure and stable and easy for most people. > > Artists I know have mixed views on using these services. Ones that have > been indie and successful on their own - don't find it attractive > whereas indie artists that need an extra hand, love them. > > Has anyone gotten any cool swag pledging, if so, what was your fave? > > Birdie ------------------------------ End of ecto-digest V15 #210 ***************************