The Roots Project – A Musical Family Affair

The Roots Project was a long time coming, a collaboration well overdue for this musical family of 4 musicians from Prince Edward Island, Canada, who are now joining forces in the creation of music while inviting all of you to get on board with them and help raise the funds needed to produce, record and release the full length album.

The Sound Of These Memories (demo – Jan 2013)

Who is The Roots Project?

The Roots Project invites these 4 individuals to come together and blend not only their talents, but also their different musical influences, as they all have their own stylistic approach. It shall be an interesting combination of ingredients gently placed into the mix, that will no doubt translate into something tasty and new.

Profession: Singer songwriter, producer & voice teacher
Musical Style: Rock & industrial pop
Instruments: Lead vocals, piano and electronic programming

Angie, the first born, is no stranger to the music scene, nor to the crowd funding approach to music making. She has successfully completed 2 projects recording her 2 first albums “Once Upon A Dream” (gothic-pop-rock) and “Shadow Revelations” (electro-industrial-pop). She is a singer-songwriter, piano player, composer and producer who loves to surprise her audience with concept performances… even playing percussion parts… with water!

Profession: Factory worker and part-time musician
Musical Style: Traditional, bluegrass, country and rock
Instruments: Guitar, mandolin, banjo, vocals, bass, jews harp,…

Jonathan, the baby of the family, is a jester of modern times. Always clowning around, you wonder how his music could be taken seriously… until you hear him play. He started off playing the violin like his mom, but ended up settling on acoustic guitar along with… whatever instrument is at his disposal. He has accompanied Mother Hen on many occasions, bringing the house down before a crowd of thousands of spectators. He is your favourite house party jammer who will make you laugh, and then make you cry with envy. Yep, we have put the baby on a pedestal yet again.

Profession: Home maker, student
Musical Style: Alternative, pop and rock
Instruments: Vocal harmonies, percussion, keyboards

Melissa, the middle child, made her first appearances on stage accompanying her older sister, either stepdancing her way into the crowds hearts, or singing back up harmonies at the tender age of 8. She may seem shy at first glance, but don’t be mistaken by the initial softness in her sweet voice… because it can get quite loud! When the coast is clear, she plays “People are Strange” by the Doors on her mom’s piano. She thinks no one is listening…

Profession: Professional musician (Barachois, Gadelle)
Musical Style: Traditional Acadian, folk & Irish
Instruments: Fiddle, guitar, mandolin, piano, harmonica

Louise, the mother hen, has had a long and impressive career in music, playing the fiddle in traditional/folk settings all over the world. Her part in the group “Barachois” is a highlight to her long list of projects, taking her to all 4 corners of the planet with her vibrant and energetic fiddle playing and feet stomping. If you carefully witness her fiddle playing in action, you may see the smoke rising from her bow.

What is the goal of this project?

Record The Roots Project album, one that will make you, and maybe even our ancestors, proud, and in a style of music that includes a blend from all members of the group with each of our individual personalities, music backgrounds, and influences of styles such as: old country & folk, classic rock, alternative rock and a touch of experimental and pop sounds…

The album will be a melting pot of sorts and sounds mixing in sugar and spice and everything we find nice. The final blend is yet to be uncovered, but for now, we could call it a folk crossover.

When and where will this take place?

The goal is to begin the recording in December 2012, in the quiet, dead of winter, over snowy days and under starry nights.

(hmmm… could this be a song lyric?)

The recording and production of the album will take place in a quiet, secluded winter chalet, just outside Montreal, where there are no distractions, and where we will Eat Pray Love Music… oh, and Record. Ok, maybe there will also be a wee bit of time for a snow fight or two… ;D

The songwriting and arranging will continue until end of summer (2012). Stay tuned as you will surely have access to a few sneak peaks taken from music sessions with all 4 members of The Roots Project during the creative process.

How will this project see the light of day?

With your big, beautiful, open and generous heart of course…. Oh, and your cash too.
This project’s success depends not only on the dedication and hard work from the 4 members of this musical family, but also on the help of friends, other family members, and friends and followers from around the world who believe in the project and who want to join in by sending words of encouragement, by helping spread the word and by contributing to the making of the album.

In return, the supporters of the project will receive goodies (see list of Gifts) and be called an official “Rootster” – rooting for The Roots Project. ☺ …and we will be eternally grateful.

Why are we doing this now?

Because it’s what we do best and the timing has never better for us family members to get together and combine our talents and because we want you to be a part of the project. Every single person who chips in to help with the costs of recording the full length album, becomes a collaborator in the project. This is a team effort and when the community joins in, the positive effects can be felt all around, even in the music!

How will the cash be spent?

On pre-production fees including: 1 of Angie’s trips to Prince Edward Island to work on song arrangements with family, as well as courier communications.

On production fees including: studio rental, equipment rental, 1 engineer, 2 session musicians, member travel costs and perdiums.

On post-production fees including: mixing and mastering, photography and album artwork & design.

Manufacturing and distribution fees including: printing fees (physical album copies) including shipping costs, and merchandise to be sent out to our wonderful Rootsters.

If we do not reach our campaign goal in time, we will still continue on with the recording project and delay the recording until we are able to raise the funds to do so. If we raise our campaign goal in time, we will, or course, be very happy. If we happen to raise more than our campaign goal, we will, beyond the shadow of a doubt, be totally flabbergasted and ridiculously ecstatic, and once we have caught up with our normal breathing again, we will then be able to start planning the cd launch and first performance in Prince Edward Island as well as a possible phase 2 of the project, which is to create a video documentary on the coming together of us family members for the making of The Roots Project album.

Please help us in achieving our goal of $40 000 before December 2012. We have incredible perks for all donation levels and every dollar counts to help with the creation and sharing of more beautiful and independent music into the world.

Other ways you can help

Spread the word to your family and friends! Send our project to any and everyone you think might be interested in our project.

Share on Facebook and Twitterand like / follow us! While you’re at it, sign up for our email newsletter!

Send us your words of encouragement or your ego building comments in the form of flattery… artists and musician can never get enough. lol

We cannot thank you enough in advance for your contribution and support throughout this process!

THANK-YOU! MERCI!