Dusty Limits New Album: Life & I

WHO ARE WE?

My name is Dusty Limits, cabaret singer and lyricist. And director. And occasional actor. And bon vivant.

Michael  Roulston is a composer, arranger and musical director and one of the most in-demand creators on the cabaret scene. His list of credits is as long as my arm, and I have remarkably long arms.  

Together, we're raising money for our second studio album, entitled 'Life & I'. I wrote the words, Michael did the amazing compositions and arrangements. 

These are songs about life and death, self-employment and self-pleasure, lost romance and radical social policy. Songs written under the influence of everyone from Noel Coward to Irving Berlin to Tom Lehrer to G F Handel, but uniquely ours. All of them have been tried-and-tested in live performance, and now are ready to fly out into the world to provoke laughter and surprise everywhere. Trust me, these songs are marvellous. Not necessarily something you'd play with the kids in the car, though.

Our first album, 'Grin', was funded thanks to the generosity of our supporters and received rave reviews.  We hope even greater things for this one, but we rely on YOU to make this dream a reality. 

This is where your money will go:

Studio Hire: £2200
Musicians' Fees: £3270
Design: £400
Mixing & Mastering: £1200
CD manufacture and printing: £800

Which gives a total of £7910. Throw in £90 for wine and snacks and we have a nice round figure of £8000.

Michael and I fervently believe in paying musicians and engineers fairly for their time. But to ensure that, we rely on YOU, the beautiful people, out there in the dark, to dig deep and give generously.

Of course you will be rewarded, and not in the next life, but in this one. 

REWARDS

For £10 you will receive a digital download of the album along with a PDF of the lyrics and cover artwork.

For £15 you'll receive an actual CD, plus the digital download and PDF. (Add £1 for international postage).

For £20 you'll get a signed, personalised CD, plus download and PDF. (Add £1 for international postage).

Think of it as pre-ordering an album which won't ever actually exist unless you order it in advance! No pressure.

OTHER REWARDS

For £10, you can also order a limited-edition A3 poster of me, signed by my own fair hand, to stare enticingly down at you from your wall. If you're outside the UK, you'll need to add £5 to cover the extra postage!

For £500, Michael and I will write and record a song just for you, on whatever topic you choose. You'll also receive the CD, download and PDF. 

And for £1000, we'll come and perform a live, private 45 minute show for you and your friends. Or just for you, if you prefer. You'll need to arrange the venue, tech and any necessary travel or accommodation and the date will have to be mutually convenient. But it will be an event to remember.

AN AMAZING REWARD

For precisely £13.13, you'll receive a 13'13" Skype therapy session with Hades, the world-famous miniature Pomeranian panda-rat and star of Instagram's 'HadesWineJourney'. He's a very good listener.



THE ULTIMATE REWARD

Is doing good. Isn' t it?

TIMETABLE

All the major recording has been done, but we still need to mix and master and make everything sound just so and get everyone paid. So it 's vital to get this fundraising going to make sure it doesn't end up languishing in a vault, like someone in a Poe story.

So to be blunt, we need your help NOW! DROP EVERYTHING!

The album will be available for download and purchase on 19th July 2018, but all our donors should have their copies before then.

THE LAUNCH

'Life & I' will be launched on the 19th July, 2018 on all platforms. That sounds like a magical train, doesn't it?

The launch-party, featuring a full band* and the performance of the album in its entirety, will take place at the legendary Royal Vauxhall Tavern. 

*The guitarist's wife might be going into labour, but if that happens, I'll fill in on the kazoo. 

AND THANK YOU

We have to thank the incredible Cow Shed Studios/producer James Johnston, who has been just brilliant, along with our fantastic musicians, who've brought so much artistry and humour to this project that it makes even me feel vaguely humble. Our merry crew includes Tom Mansi on bass, Jonathan 'Kitch' Kitching on drums, Joe Warwick on guitars, Laci Olah on violin, Laura Moody on cello, Chris Rand on woodwinds, and Chris Fry on trombone. Not forgetting photographer to the stars James Millar and designer Snookie Mono. 

Michael and I have worked incredibly hard on these songs. We've poured out our hearts and sold our souls and we're immensely proud of what we've achieved.

These songs speak to those among us who, like us, want to make light of the darkness. And this, for us, is a labour of love; but, when it comes to art,  love needs money to survive. So please get behind us and do your utmost. We'll be very grateful. 

With all my love,

Dusty