Chris Antonik: Indiegogo new album fundraiser celebrates timely songs of community, self-compassion, hope, and belonging

by | Feb 22, 2021 | Uncategorised | 0 comments

Ontario-based, multiple-Maple Blues Award nominee Chris Antonik embraces reflective and topical themes as he announces a new album, together with a campaign of pre-sales and perks via Indiegogo to fund the recording, that runs until 8th April 2021.

Indiegogo’s accompanying ‘Note from Chris’ explains, “Hey Friends! I’m inviting you to join me as I record my new studio album! Early in 2020, I had just started working on my new record. Then COVID hit and turned all our lives upside down. My entire 2020 tour schedule disappeared instantly, and the revenue I was relying on to finance the record evaporated almost overnight. While I’m very grateful for the extra time I’ve been able to spend with my family, and keeping them safe has been my top priority, I’m not giving up on this project. While I’ve been able to complete some of the record, and have been funding it myself so far, I’m seeking your help in completing it. I am kindly asking you to please pre-purchase it now so my team and I can afford to finish it. I know times are tough for everyone, and we are not seeking donations, but pre-purchasing it now will make all the difference – we need the funds to keep going! If you are interested, there are additional perks available, such as my personal song-writing journals, studio visits, guitar lessons, a house concert, etc.  Take a look to see if something suits your budget! If you’ve enjoyed my past albums, and are excited to hear the latest, please pick an incentive that fits your budget and join our team!”

The Team

  • The fans and wider public who pre-buy the new album and any additional ‘perk’ on offer;
  • Co-producers: Chris Antonik and Juno-Award winning producer Derek Downham (Paul Reddick, Broken Social Scene);
  • Engineer: Grammy Award-winner Jeremy Darby (David Bowie, Lou Reed, Alicia Keys, Van Morrison, Sara Bareilles)
  • Musicians: Alan Zemaitis (keys); Riley O’Connor and Derek Downham (drums); Juno award-winning keyboardist Jesse O’Brien (Colin James, Harrison Kennedy); two-time Grammy award-winner Mike Mattison (Tedeschi-Trucks Band, Derek Trucks Band); Juno award-nominee Alison Young; and Juno award-winner Richard Underhill co-arranging horns.
  • Special note: Chris’s dear friend, the late-great Guenther Kapelle (bass) very sadly passed away as 2021 began, but his work will nonetheless appear on the new record.

The album (name to be confirmed)

Chris says, “In 2018, my last album ‘Monarch’ …was a very personal work dealing with loss, divorce, forgiveness, and the art of letting go. This new record chronicles my life as a single parent of two children, building an enriching home life for them, and strengthening the community around us.

“When I began to write this record, I read something by Carl Jung, who said ‘in the second half of our lives, humans reconnect with the human race. They become part of the collective once again.’ These words really resonated with me and became the starting point of this new record – songs of community, self-compassion, hope, and belonging. While I started writing these songs prior to COVID, they have since taken on even more importance, especially now when we’re all so far apart from each other.

Chris will also use the new album to reflect on, “My sobriety – at the end of 2018, I gave up alcohol for good, after finally acknowledging it was a problem in my life. I’ve been sober now for over two years, and I’m very proud of this.”

“Over the course of the last three albums, three Maple Blues award-nominations, international radio play, several international tours, and even playing on stage with Buddy Guy three times, I have been exploring various aspects of blues, roots and blues-rock traditions. Now I’m making a more modern, progressive blues-rock album with heightened mainstream potential, not beholden to the ‘rules’ of blues, but respectful of tradition, weaving classic with contemporary – adventurous, but not polarizing; stretching every idea across the aural spectrum. Of course, traditional blues lovers will dig the handful of traditional blues numbers; I know my roots and will never abandon them.”

The offer to supporters

The options start with advance digital download of the new album when ready, and bonus options to receive perks such as production notes; signed copies of the new CD; thanks in CD liner Notes; personal recorded greeting from Chris; the chance to song-write with Chris; guitar lessons; Executive Sponsorship; Private duo concert via Zoom, and (subject to restrictions and conditions ) in person concerts, both duo and band.

Key links

Press release:

Chris-Antonik-community-press-release-v1-February-2021Download