Let’s help make Sharon Knight & Winter’s amazing Portals project a reality
Imagine, if you will: An otherworldly carnival, traveling in and out of mystery, magic, the unexplained. You feel the hair rise on the back of your neck as a motley band of skillful (and possibly dangerous) musicians brandish their bows, their voices, their tambourines, and open portals to the realms of the fantastical! You thrill to the charms of seductive sirens, pixie pirates, steampunk sailors, metal warriors, witches and wanderlings, as a mighty cast of characters wield their mightiest mojo in a Theatre of Enchantment crafted to delight and awe.
This is the dream of Portals, the latest studio album by internationally touring musicians Sharon Knight and Winter. Once funded, Portals will be a gorgeously produced album with a lush, full band sound, presented in an artful trifold ecopack CD jacket with a multi-page lyric booklet. The artists envision a folk-world fusion sound in the style of Loreena McKennitt and Faun, with a bit of Americana grit mixed in, a la The Civil Wars. Siren Song and Snake Oil, if you will.
The artists have been working toward a project like this for some time, and are excited to see it come together. “For as long as I can remember, I have yearned to be part of a thriving artists’ community, one that lifts each other up and shines a light on each another’s talents. With the Portals project, we plan to do just that,” said Winter.
The community of artists involved is indeed talented. The list sounds like a roll call of musical magicians, and includes SJ Tucker, Betsy Tinney and Alexander James Adams of Tricky Pixie; Sonja Drakulich of Faun and Stellamara; Dan Cantrell of Beats Antique, Fishtank Ensemble and Stellamara; Nathaniel Johnstone of the Nathaniel Johnstone Band and Abney Park; Caith Threefires of Pandemonaeon, Heather Dale Band and Tempest; Tim Rayborn of Pandemonaeon and Cançonièr; Mark Abbott of Pandemonaeon, Box Set, The Fall Risk; and of course the leaders of the project, Sharon Knight & Winter.
The couple are known for their evocative duets, but Knight believes this is a colorful departure for the team. “Our last recording, Neofolk Romantique, featured a pared down, intimate, acoustic sound, representative of our duet performances,” she says. “Portals is envisioned as a traveling Carnivale of Curios, boasting a large cast of characters comprised of many of our touring musician friends, people we share the road with throughout the year. Through this project, we hope to convey to our listeners the feel of life on the road, part of a traveling circus of performers who live in the realms of magic every day.”
As if the lineup wasn’t already enough to empty pockets for, the project also includes a professionally produced music video of one of Sharon Knight & Winter’s most popular tour songs, Porcelain Princess. They have world-class cinematographer Paul Nordin, of EMB Studios, on board to film the video. Nordin recently filmed a movie with Fairuza Balk. Winter said about the video, “We’ve already come up with a concept that I am very excited about!” If you want to get psyched about how gorgeous this video will be, check out Nordon’s reel.
If funds permit, the team will also create a hardcopy art book featuring original art from several myth-inspired artists, as well as lyrics and stories about the songs. The book is envisioned as a true collectors’ item. Visual artists already on board include Morpheus Ravenna, Laura Tempest, Zakroff, Valerie Herron, and Shauna Aura Knight.
The crowd funding campaign launched auspiciously on Friday Feb. 13th, and is quickly gaining momentum at 18% of its first goal, as of writing. $20,000 will get the music project fully produced and designed, with a manufactured CD, guest musicians and a stellar music video. $25,000 will get more guest musicians on board, beef up the video, and bring Sonja Drakulich on board as a co-producer for one of the songs. $30,000 will produce the beautiful collector’s item companion art book.
To be a part of this project and get exclusive art and insider participation just for funders, head on over to the Portals Indiegogo campaign page. Don’t wait – Portals only has until March 30th to meet its funding goal and turn music magic into reality.
More information on Sharon Knight & Winter:
Website: www.sharonknight.net
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/SharonKnightMusic
Twitter: @sharonknight777