[james-skemp]

"In the entire world, I am sure there are at least 300 people that would gamble on a $10 digital download to see if I could make, at least out of the 100 minutes I promise, 30 minutes of music they like. I know those people are out there, but fuck if I know how to find them."

I'm sure a lot of very large, successful, companies would like the answer to that as well.

It sounds like you don't have a following yet, and I think you're trying to cut out the hard work of building an audience, hoping instead that someone else (Kickstarter) will do the marketing for you.

Note, I'm not trying to be mean, but I'm coming at it from the perspective of someone who has watched people struggle with music, video, comedy before finding supports. And most of the time they started out (or are still) doing stuff for free.

I wish you the best, but if you really are niche, try putting your stuff out there for free first. Yeah, it sucks, but as an artist I think a part of you, if you're in to it, would be willing to sacrifice for your art.

[james-skemp]

And I just read your Kickstarter.

You're going at this completely wrong. From what I read, you're expecting failure. There's over three weeks left, but the day you wrote the text for Kickstarter you knew it was going to fail.

I don't know you, so you can ignore me, but I'd recommend asking yourself why you posted this if you don't expect to meet your goal?

Is this something you'd love to do, or just something to do so you don't have to worry about working (since it doesn't sound like you're putting effort into this)?

And I realize that may come off a little harsh, but I'm actually pretty upset about this. You don't have a fan base, you haven't proven yourself, but you expect Kickstarter to help you out?

Set yourself up to win, not fail. Do what your current situation allows, and put your all into that which you wish to occur.

[sirvaliance]

Don't be defensive, I think you are right and the feedback helps.

Confidence is something I have never had. The truth is I poured a long time into writing and developing the concept and idea. Years of learning how to properly write and record music.

I need to revise the Kickstarter. I didn't know it was going to fail, but as some sort of defense mechanism I think I wrote it that way.

In a way, I think I gave up before I even gave it a chance. Maybe I need to push much harder than give in a few days after it started.

Once again, thank you for the feedback :)

[james-skemp]

"In a way, I think I gave up before I even gave it a chance. Maybe I need to push much harder than give in a few days after it started."

Yes!

And you might be niche, but I'm sure there's similar music. Find those groups, and get your music out there.

I've found a deal of stuff on http://soundcloud.com/ (based on equipment you're looking for, you may be aware). Again, they won't do your marketing for you, but get your stuff out there.

Don't spam, but find people who do something similar and ask if they can give a listen and provide feedback.

And if the Kickstarter fails, give it some time. Do what you can to get what you need. Keep producing, and try it again.

If you love it, if you fall, you'll get back up and try it again. It hurts, but it makes success that much nicer :D

[sirvaliance]

I appreciate you taking the time to read the feedback. Under my psuedonym, I do all work as open source and free. Last year, I released an album for a hacker friend http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Len_Sassaman at http://sirvaliance.bandcamp.com/album/a-waltz-for-len about a year ago. The demo is free, and I hope to release the result of this for free.

The truth is, I don't care about the money. I just care about it enough so that I can execute what I planned.

I don't think you are being mean at all, just as practical, rational, and reasonable about it as I am trying to be. I don't want to cut corners, just have the resources to execute how I envisioned.

I get that Kickstarter is not there to build a fan base, but where does someone with as limited resources as me find a way to make the music I planned and find an audience. I cannot figure out how to do one without the other.

[james-skemp]

Start saving up. Maybe it means a second job. Maybe it means no going out.

It's like when you're a kid and you get a job to buy a car. To offset college loans.

I read the listing and it sounds like you have almost nothing. You mention broken strings and then I think this is someone who doesn't love his instruments.

Or you've fallen on hard times. But if that's the case I'm not sure that's the best time to start an experimental album.

I don't know. Hopefully someone will see this and have an idea. The ones I know do something on YouTube, but given that you'd like to stay anonymous ... I suppose you could show static images instead (the art shown?).

But if you don't have the tools ...