money money money… money

As someone left a comment on the front page that people might want to hear more about this heart wrenching indie-musician-recording-and-album-process, I’ve decided to start this year by writing more blogs. Don’t say I didn’t warn you because I tend to pontificate, but for the few that may be reading, here we go!

So one big lesson I’ve learned in this process of making this album at a higher level than my last one is, generally, high quality audio production = tons of money. That is the BIGGEST issue that’s holding back recording right now. And when I mean quality, I’m talking broadcast tv audio quality, not just something that sounds good on myspace… I’ve been lucky to work with great producers this time around who are willing to work with my budget, but in the end, if I want more of their time, that costs $$$. I wonder, how did Ingrid Michaelson do it? Work with cool producers, mixers and get prime mastering (a whole ‘nother process after recording that costs $$$) and pay for everything? Maybe she saved up. Or maybe she did a deal with people for ‘points’ on the album (percentage of sales) or had private funding. If anyone knows, throw me some tips!

Besides trying to save what little is left over from my part-time salary after paying bills each month, I’ve realized it’s not too bad work to try to sell stuff on ebay and craigslist. I started posting things on craigslist last month. Only sold 1 out of about 7 things I listed. I put some collected makeup samples and my used M-Audio Firewire interface on ebay and just made $300, not bad! That’s almost enough for about 1 average day in the studio. I started applying for part and full time jobs late last year, just as a stab in the dark but with no results. I’m still pondering about how to balance another part-time job during the week and recording the album, can I do it? Or, I’m sure if I tried, I could get a $7/hour job, but I figured working a few hours on ebay and craigslist would be a more efficient use of my time, and so far it has. I’m still going to relist some equipment I want to sell and keep an eye out for the right part-time opportunity ($20/hour minimum cause I’m WORTH it, seriously!).

Oh, and did you know that I could fund my whole album if I sold an egg? as in OVARY egg. $15,000 on craigslist. Or if I was desperate enough, there was that ad looking for ‘nit-pickers’ as in… picking lice out of people’s hair. seriously, it was a CL job posting by a company called “Hair Whisperers Lice Removal”… as in “Horse Whisperer”? Not quite that desperate yet. Tomorrow I have a Support Team Meeting to regroup and refocus on how to get this done!