Monday, October 5, 2015

Blacktape's new vinyl release (needs your support)

Box-Blacktape-Bike-Kickstarter

Support the "Bike Shop" limited edition 12” vinyl EP (featuring Michael Plaster of SoulWhirlingSomewhere). Free download for all!

Watch the video and learn more about the EP at Kickstarter
Download the mixes of the tracks at Bandcamp

The first week of the Kickstarter got us over 50% of the way to the goal. Fantastic! Thank you so much, everyone. You're backing a 12" release on yellow and black vinyl, with four new songs. I need your help to make it happen. Your support goes to the cost of mastering, pressing, and paying Michael for his amazing vocal involvement!

I have to say that this is something about the new record business that I really enjoy: I can write & record songs in September. And make them available for you to hear in September! In the old days, there was such a long delay between the creative spark and when the CD finally came out. Now I can put the songs up on Bandcamp for you to hear immediately, while they still feel amazingly fresh to me... and then in early 2016 you can get the vinyl. That's very cool, if you ask me!

I'm also excited about recording with a first generation Projekt artist, Michael Plaster. We've been friends for 20 years, we've worked together on all his Projekt releases. It's been forever since he's had new music for all of you. Please Sennd Help came out in 2001, it was PRO121. This EP comes out 200 releases later, PRO321!

Ok, so let me tell you a little bit about the recording.

I’ve been working on the new Black Tape For A Blue Girl album (these fleeting moments) and I'm about two-thirds through writing it. Last Christmas I recorded guitar parts for a new song; about a month ago I wrote the lyrics and that became “bike shop/absolute zero." I was reflecting back on my last few relationships: thinking about the good parts but also kind of wondering how they fell apart, and how it took so long to recognize they were over.

I've always loved Michael Plaster's voice and emotional delivery. As I was writing "bike shop," I kept thinking, "Damn, this would be a great song for Michael to sing." It has a similar quality to his lyrics: looking back on a past relationship with some joy and a bunch of sadness. I waited until I recorded my guide vocals, and then presented it to him ready to go. "Here, this is happening! Would you like to be the singer?" Michael said, "Yes," which was very exciting to me!

I had the idea of doing it as a vinyl single and we talked about what might go on the B-side. Maybe a new version of an old Blacktape track? But knowing Michael was the vocalist inspired me to write three more songs really fast — like in a week! These songs sprung from little bittersweet memories.

For the most part, things didn't happen exactly the way it goes in these songs. Yes, there's a real bike shop and a real cabin. And I did get dumped on the phone (ouch!). But there's nobody named "Vega," and there's no real canoe, and I wasn't getting relationship advice from Dennis Hopper! : ) Yet the songs capture intimate and personal stories about relationships and love.

The three additional tracks give you the back story on "bike shop." Think of it as diving deeper and hearing more about a character you will meet in a song on the upcoming album.

While I was in Brooklyn a few weeks ago. I recorded drums for two of the tracks with Brian Viglione (of Violent Femmes and The Dresden Dolls). I love how quickly the "Bike Shop" vinyl EP has gone from idea to something you can listen to!

I'd like you to hear my new music, that's why I've put it up so you can download the ep for free at Bandcamp! I hope you'll like the tracks and go to the Kickstarter page to chip in three dollars. Or even more, 'cause there are some sweet premiums that you can pledge for.

Whatever you give, you're supporting art -- and that's super-cool of you!

Sam

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