Make Total Downer's debut album!

Hi, my name is Andy Schumann of the band Total Downer & I want to release my debut, but I need your help!

 

I've been playing music for a major minute, even gone on two little tours as Total Downer, but I've never released a debut. All the songs are done, but I really should do some overdubs in a studio, probably have a pro mix it, & have actual drums (not Garageband loops).

Also there's a buncha other stuff I'm just thinking about now like album art, a video or two, merch, paying media outlets for some press. I hate to sound shallow, but I really would love for this release to make some waves (and I truly think it can, with your help!)

Why Gofundme?

While I make about $17,000/year & also have lotsa friends who are happy to help...

I want to be able to pay my collaborators well because creative work is consistently undervalued.

I promise to pay each of my collaborators at least $50/song or $25/hour (whichever sum is more) if this project is fully funded.

Where is your budget idea coming from?

Simple math, mah dahling. 

Drummer for 10 songs = $500
Auxiliary Musicians playing various instruments on tracks = $300
Mixing = > $750
Mastering = > $150
Overdubs = > $300
Album Art= >$200
Merch= >$300
Press= $200
Total = > $2,700

So I'm still paying my own "hard-earned" money for this, by the way, haha. The $1,000 is just to offset the cost a bit.

Are you making money on us?

Nah, I'm gonna redistribute 100% of whatever excess money I make from this Gofundme, if any. That means I'm gonna pay my collaborators a little bit better, 

Have you really tried?

Right now, I'm cutting a lot of corners to make this album. I recorded all the guitars and vocals at my house direct on my Scarlett 2i2. It sounds... fine? 

I just want to make sure when this album hits the world, it makes an impact and is genuinely fun to listen. I know it's probably always embarrassing to listen to your own stuff, but when I hear my old recordings, I kinda cringe because I totally get what I was going for, but it's just not quite hitting.

I even went into an actual studio in 2019 with Grace, Connor, and Alex to record with James Harris @ Taxon Studio to put out our debut EP Keep On Riding That Dirt Bike , but we recorded it really quickly to save money and James gave us a crazy good deal. James did an amazing job, but we just pumped the tracks out so fast we didn't really have time for in-depth creative discussions that could bring the songs to the next level.

 

Who is your audience?

 

I write pop rock songs with very wordy, personal lyrics to which I often feel like nobody else could ever relate. Curiously, my primary listening audience is young adult women-- so it's really cool to see people who don't share my identity vibing with my songs.

What are these songs about?

Working class people depending on the extremely wealthy to save us. Wishing I was so ripped I look like I could beat somebody up, but only just so that I can feel comfortable shirtless on the beach. The childhood trauma of being preyed on by a beloved local artist. Doing the hard work to overcome my personal misogynistic tendencies. The fantasy of living in a world where my friends and I can cry openly together. And more!

Is the album good?

Ok, this is my self-consciousness questioning whether this whole Gofundme is even worth it. I will always feel that my art is meh compared to the beauty of other folks' work, but after reflecting on how few albums I listen to and don't skip tracks on or get sick of after a few days, I think it's pretty darned good. The only song of mine released I feel really stoked about is Everything is Gonna Be Fine, but I feel quite proud of all of these 10 tracks.

Thanks for reading all this stuff, and no matter if you decide to donate or not, this album is coming out and I'm real excited to share it with folks!!