Darren Watson - To Record An Album At Greaseland (USA) With Kid Andersen

Darren Watson - To Record An Album At Greaseland (USA) With Kid Andersen

Project 2015-11-12 09:24:26 +1300

It's the chance of a lifetime!

Wellington-based rhythm & blues musician Darren Watson has been invited to record an album with guitarist and producer Kid Andersen (Rick Estrin & The Nightcats) at his Greaseland Studio in San Jose, California. Kid is putting together a crack backing band for the project including ex-Robert Cray Band keyboardist Jim Pugh, and one of Darren's favourite drummers, June Core, who has played drums for everyone from Robert Jr. Lockwood to Charlie Musselwhite.

Darren had been thinking about doing a 'best of' release in 2016 but Andersen's offer gave him another idea. A retrospective of only his best songs from his solo LPs, and going all the way back to Smoke Shop, re-imagined and re-recorded with a killer band led by one of the hottest producer/engineers in the US today! Boom!

Greaseland Studios has been at the forefront of a slew of critically acclaimed blues and soul releases of late, including the stunning 2015 come-back album from soul man 'Wee' Willie Walker. Andersen was nominated for best blues guitarist at the Blues Foundations 2015 Blues Music Awards. Other recent clients at Greaseland include some dead-set legends including Rick Estrin & the Nightcats, John Nemeth, Maria Muldaur, Elvin Bishop, Charlie Musselwhite, Mark Hummel, and Finis Tasby. 


Obviously Kid's time, the studio, and the band don't come for free, however Kid has put an amazing package deal together that makes recording with some of the USAs' finest musicians within our grasp.

But, given that Darren scratches out a meagre living from playing and teaching blues music here in New Zealand, that's where you come in. What we're asking is for you to buy something from us up-front. Many of you helped us out with the making of Darren's most recent album Introducing Darren Watson. We really appreciate your ongoing support of Darren's music. There are heaps of great rewards over to the right - including Solo House Concerts, which were super popular last time 'round. Even if you can't afford to pledge you can help us just by reminding your friends that the campaign is ongoing. (At the end of the campaign we will have a special prize for the top 10, most conspicious supporters on social media.)

We need NZ$20,000 to make this happen.
(I know! It's a lot of money........ but we can do it with your help)

This is broken down as follows:

1. Studio time, producers fee, musicians, mixing and mastering : $10,700
2. Travel (including airfares & transfers) $4,000
3. Accommodation & food $2,700
4. Pledge Me & Credit Card Fees $1,600
5. Contingencies/exchange rate fluctuations $1,000


We have pencilled recording to start on 21 March, 2016 so it's all going to happen rather quickly if we manage to reach our target. The album is going to be KILLER. Recorded at one the USAs most happening studios, produced/engineered by one of it's most talented up-and-coming artists, with a house band to DIE for!

Please give us all the support you can muster and help us by pledging and then spreading the word about our campaign loudly and often on social media etc. We know it's a lot of money but it really is the chance of a lifetime for one of NZ's most talented, and yet largely unsung musicians. 

Delia Shanly
Manager
www.darrenwatson.com

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