{"id":6827,"date":"2013-09-26T17:57:38","date_gmt":"2013-09-26T21:57:38","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.slammie.com\/atomicgrog\/blog\/?p=6827"},"modified":"2013-10-01T16:59:02","modified_gmt":"2013-10-01T20:59:02","slug":"gold-dust-lounge-makes-final-push-to-kick-start-new-album","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.slammie.com\/atomicgrog\/blog\/2013\/09\/26\/gold-dust-lounge-makes-final-push-to-kick-start-new-album\/","title":{"rendered":"Gold Dust Lounge kick starts new album with online fund-raising campaign"},"content":{"rendered":"

Updated Tuesday, Oct. 1<\/I><\/p>\n

Miami’s Russell Mofsky decided to take a seemingly unorthodox approach to funding the upcoming album from his retro-inspired band, Gold Dust Lounge. With a goal of raising $15,000, he turned to Kickstarter, the crowd-funding Web site.<\/p>\n

\"Russell<\/a>
Russell Mofsky of Gold Dust Lounge shows off a limited-edition print by Q. Cassettiat that some donors will receive. The band was performing at Sweat Records in Miami on Sunday, Sept. 29, during a final push for donations.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The gutsy move by this former DIY punk-rocker was a rousing success. When the 33-day campaign ended at 11:59 p.m. on Monday (Sept. 30), he blasted past his goal and finished with a grand total of $16,012. This came from 174 backers pledging an average of $92.
\n* Kickstarter.com:<\/strong> See the final totals and details on the project<\/a>
\n* See updates on the campaign at GoldDustLounge.com<\/a> and Facebook<\/a><\/p>\n

“Thanks to your amazing support,” Mofsky wrote to supporters on the Kickstarter page. “We have surpassed our goal of $15K and Lost Sunset<\/em> will be fully realized.” He added that the goal is a January release, pending any unforseen delays. On GoldDustLounge.com, he wrote: “This Kickstarter campaign was as much about community as it was about art. You guys ROCK! Can’t wait to share the album with you.”<\/p>\n

Check out the Kickstarter page for samples of four of the songs (Bunny Yeager<\/em>, Hidden Lake (Broken Glass)<\/em>, Humble Hill Rain<\/em> and Lost Sunset<\/em>) as well as the album, T-shirt and print artwork. The front and back cover of the LP feature original artwork by Miami artist Robert Jimenez<\/a> (see below).<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Supporters who backed the campaign will all receive something for their generosity, from a digital copy of the album for a $10 pledge, to the album on CD and vinyl, custom-designed T-shirts, poster prints, and much more for higher pledges. High-end donors will be treated to private performances by Mofsky and the band.<\/p>\n

\"'Lost<\/a>
‘Lost Sunset’ album artwork by Robert Jimenez.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Lost Sunset<\/em> is being touted as a “spy-fi road-trip extravaganza.” The songs showcase the band’s experimental, atmospheric blend of surf, jazz and other instrumental styles. Finally capturing the band’s prowess in the studio, it will be the much-anticipated follow-up to the Wynwood Bootleg<\/a><\/em> album, recorded on the street in front of the Harold Golen Gallery<\/a> in November 2011. The band has been a fixture outside the gallery during the monthly Wynwood Art Walk<\/a>. <\/p>\n

Immediately after that album’s early 2012 release, Gold Dust Lounge went into the studio with acclaimed producer Aaron Fishbein<\/a> and began work on Lost Sunset<\/em>. Mofsky, who has always tapped a variety of musicians to complement him in the group, reached out to some top-notch talent on his new recordings. Tracks include performances by percussionists from Femi Kuti’s Positive Force band<\/a>, sax\/flute player Juan Turros from Miami’s Suenalo<\/a>, and harmonica from virtuoso Randy Singer<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\"Gold<\/a>
Gold Dust Lounge opening for Dick Dale at Grand Central in Miami on April 25, 2013.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The music has already been featured in the just-released PBS documentary Plastic Paradise: A Swingin’ Trip Through America’s Polynesian Obsession<\/I><\/A> (that’s Bunny Yeager<\/em> playing over the closing credits), and it’s been licensed for several other film\/TV projects. On the Kickstarter page, Mofsky writes: “Lost Sunset connects the dots through every musical project I’ve ever been involved with and is a total game changer for Gold Dust Lounge. It’s more ambitious and expansive than anything we’ve done before. From punk rock to jazz, acid surf and spy movies, exotica, afro-beat, ambient, and film noir. It’s literally a soundtrack to imaginary films of your own making.”<\/p>\n

The money raised will help pay for the conclusion of the recording, mixing, mastering and manufacturing. Mofsky plans to offer records and CDs for those who appreciate more than just a digital download. Money will also be earmarked for a publicist to promote the album, plus promotional artwork, prints, T-shirts, stickers, etc. Stay tuned for updates on this true grass-roots project.<\/p>\n