'Planet Key' Blues Man Crowdfunding to Record in USA

11 December 2015

'Planet Key' Blues Man Crowdfunding to Record in USA

Wellington-based musician Darren Watson has set up a Pledge Me campaign to raise the money he needs to record his next album in California in late March 2016. Producer and guitarist Christoffer 'Kid' Andersen has put a package deal together that Watson feels is “the opportunity of a lifetime.” The band assembled to record with Watson includes keyboardist Jim Pugh (Robert Cray Band) and drummer June Core (Robert Jr. Lockwood, Charlie Musselwhite). 'Kid' Andersen is a multi BMA-nominated guitarist who currently plays alongside harmonica legend Rick Estrin in his band The Nightcats. He is also gaining a reputation as THE go to engineer and producer of great modern American rhythm & blues albums from his Greaseland Studio in San Jose. To say Watson is excited about the opportunity to be produced by Andersen with such a crack studio band is an understatement.

To get there, stay for the time required and pay for the musicians and recording time Watson needs NZ$20,000. To date the campaign has raised just over $3,000. There are rewards for pledges including downloads, compact discs, and house concerts. Darren successfully raised over $7,000 on Pledge Me for his last album 'Introducing Darren Watson' in 2014. The album was released last year to critical acclaim.

Watson believes people will be blown away by the difference experienced US blues musicians and production will bring to the new record.

“ The campaign for the last album was great and I know a lot of folks enjoyed the finished result. I reckon this album is going to be even better! The guys I'll be recording with are simply some of the best in the world. It's a huge step up … it's basically the opportunity of a lifetime. Thanks to a nasty exchange rate at the moment we have to raise considerably more money, but I think everyone will hear the improvements in feel and sound that Greaseland will give us. ”

The Pledge Me campaign runs until 25 January and if it's successful Watson expects the album to be released later in 2016.
Darren Watson - To Record An Album At Greaseland (USA) With Kid Andersen - http://tinyurl.com/pv3u55m

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