Hi all
This is an application for funding under the NxM Projects program.
The purpose of the application is to fund the recording of an LP by The Imaginary Big Band. This LP will be released both as an audio NFT on the Mintbase NxM store, and also as a digital release. A subsequent physical release may also be made.
Background
Ferg’s Imaginary Big Band is a 20+ piece big band based in Leeds, UK. The band consists mainly of a group of jazz trained musicians graduated from the Leeds Conservatoire. The band operates out of the Tight Lines collective.
The band has played a number of gigs in Leeds over the last three years, which have a reputation for both the dynamic sound & performance of the band, and raucous audience participation.
The sets consist of a mix of covers and original compositions, all arranged for a 20+ piece big band. Sun Ra is a big influence, along with Duke Ellington.
"Official Blurb"
Ferg’s Imaginary Big Band are a 22+ piece semi-fictional noise machine who are part of the burgeoning left-field independent Leeds based record label, Tight Lines.
Initially inspired by the cosmic jazz legend and musician/band leader Sun Ra, Ferg’s Imaginary Big Band is a semi-fictional large ensemble whose primary aim is to bring big band music kicking and screaming into the 22nd century.
The IBB play rowdy and always huge sounding arrangements of an incredibly diverse selection of tunes from composers including Duke Ellington, Sun Ra, The Rajasthan Express, Art Ensemble Of Chicago alongside a growing pad of original music composed by Fergus and other members of the group.
Fergus Quill and his band are on a mission to make Britain weird again.
The Project
The economics of running nearly all professional big bands are horrific. The IBB is no exception, and most gigs rely on the favour bank, the bravura of a bold promoter, a sympathetic venue, and most fundamentally - the willingness of the participants to give up their time [rehearsals & performance] for something that they believe is worth doing.
Equally, recording a big band can be a logistical and financial challenge. Most participants are contributing on an expenses only basis, however some additional requirement costs are unavoidable:
The proposal for funding is therefore for the following:
Studio time - Offered at a vastly discounted rate of £100 per day - 3 days at £300
Secondary engineer - £100 total
Supplementary equipment hire - [percussion rig, piano tuning, extra microphone rental, tape & printing] - £150
Musician expenses [food, travel, portage] - £150
Total £700 - $930 [GBP/USD 1.33 Nov 26th]
The end result will be a mastered digital LP which will then be minted as an Audio NFT. The inherent nature of a big band results in a lot of costs and a lot of splits on any income. However, this is a perfect way to demonstrate the multiple wallet splits functionality on Mintbase, with all beneficiaries of any sales being programmed into the token at minting.
The end result should see up to 30 different NEAR wallets minted into the audio NFT.
Initially, I will be acting as liaison between NxM and the project at the proposal stage, but three key members of the band will be asked to join NxM as part of the project liaison going forward, and taking part in other NxM initiatives.
The date for recording is sometime in December 2021 - tbc.
We would like to make a request for 50% of the funding as an advance.
The wallet for receiving the funds for the project is most likely to be fqmusic.near, but it can also be a dedicated wallet for the project.
Links:
Ferg’s Imaginary Big Band on Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/FergsImaginaryBigBand
Fergus Quill Music
https://www.instagram.com/fergusquill
