Dear progarchists,
I received a very kind (every note from John is kind!) note from John Young yesterday. He and his band, Lifesigns, have decided to raise money for their forthcoming CD/DVD. I can’t encourage this enough. Why?
1. These are great, great guys, and their music is equally great. Melodic prog–gorgeous compositions and equally gorgeous vocals. Viva, Lifesigns!
2. Every one of us knows how quickly the music market is changing and has been over the past two decades. The explosion of the internet has undermined record companies. This, to my mind, is ultimately a good. Good riddance to corporatizing music. But, it also means that we as fans and consumers must support the music we love in every way possible. I will go as far as to claim we have a duty to make the new world work and work well.
3. Forgive me for being a historian, but I can’t help but note that the greatest art of western civilization prior to the 19th century was through a patron. Sculpture, painting, and music all came from a charitable aristocrat. That world has long gone. As the western world democratized–prior to being corporatized in the early 20th century–art came from subscription. The corporate may rule much of the western world (blech!), but it most certainly does NOT have to rule us.
4. progarchy has proudly thrown whatever influence it has toward supporting the present and future of metal, Leah McHenry, and she was able to raise $50,000 for your forthcoming album. We’ve done much the same for Andy Tillison, though he is, thankfully backed by a good label. Again, very proudly.
5. I would like us to do the same for John and co. Lifesigns is more than worth supporting. So, please go to the link below, click it, and give what you can. http://www.pledgemusic.com/projects/lifesignsdvd
Sincerely,
Brad Birzer
P.S. To make all of this even more glorious, Lifesigns will donate a portion of what they raise to “Save the Children.” Win, win.
*****
John Young
here from Lifesigns, please excuse the generic letter but we need your help.
We hope you enjoyed our first album, and we are pleased to announce that we are looking at further writing and recording in the months to come.
We decided the best way forward is crowdfunding. As such YOU become our record company and give us the freedom to make the music we believe in, unhindered by industry opinions and trends. To this end it is vital that we work with the friends and fans who appreciate our efforts.
You can pre-order anything from the download to the DVD/CD. Should you wish you can even become an executive producer the choice is yours.
It should be quite a ride:-)
To pre-order/pledge for our new DVD please feel free to join us
here:http://www.pledgemusic.com/projects/lifesignsdvd
kindest wishes
LifesignsJohn Young, Frosty Beedle, Steve Rispin, Jon Poole and Niko Tsonev.
Progarchy 