Crowdfunding Campaigns of the Week: Jon Stickley Trio, Phil Henry Trio

As the summer tour season winds down, artists are starting to turn their attention to the studio to begin recording the new albums behind which their next concert dates will tour. And for a number of independent artists, that means turning to crowdfunding sites like Kickstarter and PledgeMusic to solicit studio costs from their fans. Each week, I will feature some of the newest and most noteworthy crowdfunding projects to catch my eye. Think your campaign is worth a mention here? Send me an e-mail with a link to your campaign and a way to hear your songs. I’ll pick my favorites to feature here. This week is Trios week as we feature a pair of trios from opposite ends of the Eastern United States.

The Jon Stickley Trio – New Album

It’s been a good 2016 for the Jon Stickley Trio. The North Carolina trio has been touring relentlessly behind their most recent album Lost at Last and have received positive press from the likes of NPR, The New York Times, and even here at No Depression. Now the genre-bending trio is set to go into the studio to record the follow up LP with Bad Plus drummer Dave King as producer. Backer rewards include a bonus download of their new EP Triangular, a chance to grab a drink with the band before a show in your hometown, an individual lesson from any of the Trio, and a chance to hang with them in the studio as they record the new album.

Phil Henry Acoustic Trio – PHAT Live Album and Concert Film

Vermont-based Phil Henry is primarily known in the Northeast United States, where he is a regular club and festival act, snagging nominations for awards at fests like Falcon Ridge, Kerrville, and Susquehanna. But in all of his years of performing, nothing prepared him for the night he was set to record a live album and video at the Brandon Town Hall. Midway through the first set, the hall was struck by lightning, damaging the venue’s lighting system but miraculously sparing the band’s equipment. While it was an unfortunate incident, it also makes for an interesting place to begin discussion of a live album and video and, as the sound and video equipment rolled throughout, Henry has decided to go ahead and release it to the public. Backer rewards include a custom picture of the donor riding a lightning bolt, drawn by Henry himself, a chance to choose a cover song for Henry to record and post to YouTube, a custom song written by Henry about the backer, and the chance to have Henry produce a live video of your band.