Dear friends,

As many of you know, music has always been the core of my life — working with it, in one way or another. Now I’m raising funds to build a proper full-stack bass rig.

*** Story ****

Since last October, however, life has taken a much tougher turn. Due to some individuals lacking basic ethics and common decency, both my finances and mental well-being have taken a hit — the latter far more deeply.

I’ve never been wealthy, nor have I ever asked for financial support. This time I think i have to stick my pride somewhere deeper than my thoughts usually wander. Besides, soon it is my birthday, and I've always been lost when people asked me what I wish for.

Now, however, it's been pretty clear – I am pretty much in need of the new musical gear.

Through my lifepath of being a noise musician, I kept on using a rather cheap and trashy equipment, which has now begun to fail me (although my obsession with obscene levels of gain, feedback, and fuzz pedals might have helped speed up the process). In my teenage years, the noise of societal expectations drowned out the encouragement of those closest to me – and in the end, I did not dedicate myself fully to music. Doing that now while being 35 years old is way tougher; at least I’ll teach my son to listen to himself more than to schoolteachers or the noise outside on certain aspects.

*** Funds***

That said, I’m starting a fundraiser to build a proper full-stack bass rig. My goal is 2.622,00 €, not a cent more, which would cover a new valve head and two cabinets. I am an old-fashioned man – nothing can beat Ampeg for my artistic purposes. To be precise - Ampeg V4B, PF410 HLF & PF115 HE.

Having this equipment will not only help me to be faster and more efficient in the live setups, but will also give me a wider perception of researching the sonic soundscapes, reduce the costs of production and in general would bring the band to the next level of the creative work.

***Gratitude***

Since I believe in a mutual help and handshake-based favours, I'd like to give something back for your help – everyone who donates will receive a handmade zine, created entirely by yours truly.

I do have some drafts and scraps of texts and paintings – and I would very much love to solidify them all within a good cause anyway. Now, I am working on the whole concept of the zine, which will contain a few short stories, paintings, collages and poetry.

That might also sparkle a bit bigger project in the context of zeug one day.

I know, I know – the musicians usually compose the songs for their patrons, but given the uncomfortable reality of our songs being ca 20 minutes, it would take you all round about +-15 years to get a song each.

***Final goal***

I would really appreciate you helping me to keep on making vigorous (and somehow glorious) noise.

With 19 kilos of all-valve power, 100 watts of growling energy, four 10-inch speakers, and one thunderous 15-incher — all fed through my orc-like rig and flanked by my bandmates - I will surely keep your ears, belly and brains buzzing and tremble. Perhaps, ideally, will also send your sanity on a short-term holiday with a ticket back.

Big power for small artists!

With gratitude,

Vlad