David J, the former bassist of Bauhaus and Love and Rockets, has launched a Kickstarter campaign seeking to raise $30,000 from fans to fund the completion of his next solo album — An Eclipse of Ships, described as “a journal of the heart and a paean to Woman as muse” — and help pay for a music video, promotion and upcoming touring.
The fundraising campaign, which runs through Jan. 11, had netted $11,135 from 87 backers as of Wednesday morning. Fans who kick in will receive, depending on their level of contribution, copies of the album on CD or vinyl, special artwork and even private house gigs.
By pledging $2,000, one fan already has claimed the guitar David J wrote the album’s songs on, and for $5,000, someone can buy the “I’ll Be Your Chauffeur” package, which includes a trip to the recording studio in San Diego and dinner with David J and his band — all while being driven around town by the bassist.
Of the project, David J writes:
The album, ‘An Eclipse of Ships’ is essentially a journal of the heart and a paean to Woman as muse. This new work sees a return in style to earlier mainly acoustic records such as ‘Songs From Another Season’ and ‘Crocodile Tears and The Velvet Cosh’ and features a stellar group of musicians making sweet love to various instruments including stand-up bass, Fender Rhodes, Wurlitzer, acoustic piano, violin, viola, oboe, mandolin, pedal steel, sax, acoustic guitar, slide guitar and percussion. The music (11 original songs) has all been recorded, funded out of my own pocket. It now needs to be mastered, manufactured (vinyl & CD), distributed and promoted. I also have a great idea for a video. In addition to the above it is also my great desire to undertake an extensive international tour in support of what I believe to be my strongest album thus far. (We have already secured a showcase at the SXSW festival in Austin in March, 2014.) This Kickstarter campaign, if successful will ensure that all of the above will come to pass.
The new album will be David J’s ninth solo effort, following up 2011’s Not Long For this World. His solo debut, Etiquette of Violence, was just reissued in an expanded 2CD set. He also released a re-recorded version of Bauhaus’ “Bela Lugosi’s Dead” this past Halloween.
To contribute, visit the project’s Kickstarter page.
And below, check out a short video introducing the album.
PREVIOUSLY ON SLICING UP EYEBALLS
- Stream: Bauhaus’ David J with Jill Tracy, ‘Bela Lugosi’s Dead (Undead is Forever)’
- David J to release ‘new cinematic interpretation’ of ‘Bela Lugosi’s Dead’ on Halloween
- Daniel Ash box set, expanded reissue of David J debut due from Cherry Red next month
- Q&A: Bauhaus’ David J on his ‘accidental’ concept album ‘Not Long For This World’
- David J to release new solo album, play with Love and Rockets tribute band
“a journal of the heart and a paean to Woman as muse”… Pass.
I’ve contributed to this great new fab musical project for a vastly underrated/great artist, so help by joining in folks!
I can see how my current status as unemployed is truly, truly a tragedy.
It’s a paean to women. Based on the way he’s using them in this promo video I see what aspect he must be celebrating. Nice. Keeping it classy ;-)
Anyway, still kinda sad to see an artist as talented as David begging for money to put an album out. Love his older solo material a lot.
Hmm, I love Bauhaus, Love & Rockets, Peter and Daniel’s solo material… but have never gotten into David J’s music.
What song/s would someone here recommend to be his best work?
@5D – it’s hard to recommend a couple of songs by him because his style alternates depending on his mood. Also, while he was active with Love & Rockets his output was more spread out resulting in even more diversity. I really suggest getting or listening to Etiquette Of Violence and Songs From Another Season. Both showcase his broad styles perfectly in my opinion.
Whenever I listened to a L&R album, I usually found that the David J songs were my favorite. I guess Urban Urbane would be my favorite of his solo albums, but his solo work, kinda like Daniel Ash’s solo work, never grabbed the way the combined efforts did.