StickQuest - Launch a Music Career!
Donation protected
Who's behind this "StickQuest" campaign?
My name is Chris, and I'm a musician and voice actor from west of Chicago. I sing, play drums, percussion, guitar, bass, I dabble in keyboards, and I'm an amateur producer and engineer. I've got a few recordings scattered around the internet and passed around on CDs, and they range from my college-era heavy metal project Xeros to bizarre experimental works using only my own voice and some creative editing.
What is the point of "StickQuest"?
As I continue to work at making music, I've developed an intricate vision of how I want my future projects to sound: lots of interlocking rhythms, big sounds, and accessible songs with ambitious compositional qualities. I don't just want to do new things, I want to do exciting things, and I want to make more of the kind of music that gets me excited so that I can excite other people in the world. And so, in my travels, I came across the Stick.
This amazing instrument captivated me like nothing else could, exactly the kind of thing that I needed in order to realize my vision, showing to me that no matter how much I experimented, I was only going to be limiting myself with mere guitars and basses and keyboards. I had to get ahold of one of these.
But what even is a "Stick"?
A Stick, also known as a Chapman Stick, is a stringed instrument related to the guitar. It's most easily described as a 10- or 12-stringed fretboard, played not by plucking the strings, but by "tapping", or touching the strings directly to the fretboard. The design of the entire instrument is devoted firmly to this playing method, and this allows for both hands to play notes, chords, and melodies, as well as rhythmic sounds. This makes a Stick resemble an entire band in one instrument: guitar, bass, keyboard, and percussion all rolled together! Stick Enterprises, the company that makes them, has more information here. Alternately, you can check out some videos of people playing them:
So why start "StickQuest"? Why not just save up for one?
Well, that's simply easier said than done. Base prices for Sticks range from US$2100 to $2800, and even if I try putting money away, it either gets swallowed up by health bills, rent, food, and other living expenses, or something on my car or apartment breaks and I need to dip into reserve funds to fix it. Furthermore, I accrued a number of debts in 2016 due to unemployment that I'm still working to pay off. Even if I budget myself, it would be a very, very long time before I could put together all the funds needed to buy a Stick all by myself. And that's why I'm reaching out to you, dear reader, to help me along on my StickQuest.
What's in it for me if I donate?
Once I reach my goal and buy a Stick, I'll show my gratitude in song. Donators in particular will get an exclusive song sent to them using the new Stick plus some of my other instruments, all recorded and performed by me. I'm also going to think of other little perks as my career goes on, in all sorts of ways to remember you, the donators, and how you made this giant leap possible. I'll also start making more videos showing my writing processes, in addition to some of the other things I do.
Even if you can't donate, share this campaign! Spread the word! Every bit of effort helps. This is an excellent opportunity to foster musical growth in a big way! Thank you so very much!
--Chris
My name is Chris, and I'm a musician and voice actor from west of Chicago. I sing, play drums, percussion, guitar, bass, I dabble in keyboards, and I'm an amateur producer and engineer. I've got a few recordings scattered around the internet and passed around on CDs, and they range from my college-era heavy metal project Xeros to bizarre experimental works using only my own voice and some creative editing.
What is the point of "StickQuest"?
As I continue to work at making music, I've developed an intricate vision of how I want my future projects to sound: lots of interlocking rhythms, big sounds, and accessible songs with ambitious compositional qualities. I don't just want to do new things, I want to do exciting things, and I want to make more of the kind of music that gets me excited so that I can excite other people in the world. And so, in my travels, I came across the Stick.
This amazing instrument captivated me like nothing else could, exactly the kind of thing that I needed in order to realize my vision, showing to me that no matter how much I experimented, I was only going to be limiting myself with mere guitars and basses and keyboards. I had to get ahold of one of these.But what even is a "Stick"?
A Stick, also known as a Chapman Stick, is a stringed instrument related to the guitar. It's most easily described as a 10- or 12-stringed fretboard, played not by plucking the strings, but by "tapping", or touching the strings directly to the fretboard. The design of the entire instrument is devoted firmly to this playing method, and this allows for both hands to play notes, chords, and melodies, as well as rhythmic sounds. This makes a Stick resemble an entire band in one instrument: guitar, bass, keyboard, and percussion all rolled together! Stick Enterprises, the company that makes them, has more information here. Alternately, you can check out some videos of people playing them:
So why start "StickQuest"? Why not just save up for one?
Well, that's simply easier said than done. Base prices for Sticks range from US$2100 to $2800, and even if I try putting money away, it either gets swallowed up by health bills, rent, food, and other living expenses, or something on my car or apartment breaks and I need to dip into reserve funds to fix it. Furthermore, I accrued a number of debts in 2016 due to unemployment that I'm still working to pay off. Even if I budget myself, it would be a very, very long time before I could put together all the funds needed to buy a Stick all by myself. And that's why I'm reaching out to you, dear reader, to help me along on my StickQuest.
What's in it for me if I donate?
Once I reach my goal and buy a Stick, I'll show my gratitude in song. Donators in particular will get an exclusive song sent to them using the new Stick plus some of my other instruments, all recorded and performed by me. I'm also going to think of other little perks as my career goes on, in all sorts of ways to remember you, the donators, and how you made this giant leap possible. I'll also start making more videos showing my writing processes, in addition to some of the other things I do.
Even if you can't donate, share this campaign! Spread the word! Every bit of effort helps. This is an excellent opportunity to foster musical growth in a big way! Thank you so very much!
--Chris
Organizer
Chris Grizzell
Organizer
DeKalb, IL