Record Executives Unite!!

Years ago making a record and actually getting people to hear about it took one thing: a record label.  These days, the labels are mostly gone, and in many ways they're not missed.  

However, when you make a record you feel has a ton of potential beyond your group of supporters, well, that's when it gets tricky.

Artists in my orbit, making a living but not selling out huge tours or getting on the radio, have a hard time getting anything heard outside of their normal sphere.

You see, what record labels did wrong (took more than their fair share, tried to water down great artists, held records under lock and key) were the unfortunate side effects of the good that they did, mainly fronting the money for the records to be made and then doing the work of getting the music out there.

Well, I believe in this record.  More than anything I've ever done before.  And I want people to hear it, and I want to be able to get enough people to shows to do some really fun stuff with production and band.  So I'm trying to figure out ways to get there.

And I've realized something.  You guys funded this record and so many of you are linking, retweeting, blogging on my behalf...

YOU ARE MY RECORD LABEL!!

You are doing what they used to take a chestful of money to do.  And arguably doing a better job!!

All this to say, because I care about this record and want it to do well, I'm not going to release it yet.  

Not completely.  

Those of you who have kickstarted it will get mp3s in the next week or so, Rabbit Room preorders shortly thereafter, and then it'll go dark.  Like the label people all had copies of our records months in advance, you guys will have it, can listen and get to know it, and then if you like it and want to support it further you can help out.

Doing a full release (indie record stores, iTunes) in September gives us a few months to get reviews in magazines and on websites, gives us time to have stories about the building and the concept told in newspapers and local publications, gives us time to build some excitement for the project.

So thank you for your patience and support (some of you paid for this record A YEAR AGO!!), I hope you just love it.  I do.  I've never been more excited about a project.  I can't wait for you guys to hear it in the weeks ahead.

If you haven't preordered yet, you have about a week and a half left!  CLICK HERE!!

Comments

[Chad Walden]

Can't wait! I'm psyched for the release & hoping you can make it to Michigan soon! Congrats on completing the project -- and on the newest Osenglet. :)

[Peter Gaultney]

I, for one, wholeheartedly support this decision. You're absolutely right to be excited about the quality of what you've done, and I really hope that you can find for it an even wider audience than you ever dared to dream.

[graceshaker]

brilliant! ive always considered you one of the brighter artists along the lines of eric owyoung, paul meany, derri daugherty,and mike roe so im ecstatic every time you produce new material and ive already been circulating this project with friends and acquaintances. you have a gift. dream big...

[Tim Bourne]

Andrew - fantastic idea. This is just another reason I enjoy the new "model" of album creation for artists such as yourself. With things like social media and kickstarter, I feel more in community with my favorite artists than I ever imagined possible. I see you, AP, Andy & Jill and others at Behold the Lamb of God and feel a connection. I've promoted a couple of concerts at my church through this community. I've participated in kickstarting a couple of albums, an iPhone accessory and even a movie (Blue Like Jazz - opens this weekend - SEE IT). We've even hosted Randall with his awesome Slugs and Bugs.

All this to say: keep it up. I pray it's blessing you as well - from creativity to supporting your family. Can't wait to hear the new album in its entirety. The song I heard at BTLOG 2012 knocked my socks off.