Creator-Owned! Now with Sound! New CD & Book!
Now With Sound!
I guess I'm not content being a part of just one struggling industry, so now I'm doing music again. For those who don't know I got my start in independent music back in the 1980's. My involvement and love of the DC Hardcore scene shaped my music taste but also had a lot to do with the way I work in comics too.
We can all work together and achieve a common goal without cutting each others' throats. You can also make a living without ripping off fans and retailers. I've seen it.
The long and the short of it is this; music and comics are under attack by pirates, thieves and freeloaders. Music has been hit much harder and has laid waste to many bands. It's just an accepted fact that as soon as Monica and I release her new CD it will be pirated overnight, all over the world and we will see an immediate effect on sales.
This means this will be my first CD in decades, and maybe the last. Monica and I are deciding now, but with piracy what it is, going digital first may save a few sales for the artist. We shall see.
So with that said, I'm very proud to present the new MONICA RICHARDS CD NAIADES!
Free preview of first single PRIDE, click HERE:
I play bass and guitar on about half the songs and we worked together putting together an amazing book package. This is another attempt to dissuade piracy by presenting a package that just can't be pirated while also giving the honest, dedicated fans something special.
Monica and me around 1984
Monica also discussed the new CD on her blog…
Monica's Blog…
So here goes! Accompanying the music will be a 32 page hardcover board book which is 7" wide by 8" tall, full of artwork made just for the music. I have some of the most amazing comic and pop culture artists helping me create a gorgeous atmosphere for NAIADES.
Artists include:
Bernie Wrightson
James O'Barr
Bill Sienkiewicz
Miran Kim
Kelley Jones
Nat Jones
Menton 3
Chrissie Zullo
Andrew Mangum
David Ocampo
Milx
Jordie Bellaire
Don Bishop
Cathy Ashworth
Jim Neely
Lee Kelly
Daniele Serra
This is a dream come true for me to have so many legendary artists involved! I've sent out rough mixes and lyrics to some of them for inspiration and received the most amazing artwork. The book is so beautiful, it will be worth the wait!
I don't think I need to say this, but I am also very excited about the new album as far as the music! The songs stretch from classical and ambient to acoustic and harder rock. Paul Mercer and his producer Bruce Bennett are working on a gutwrenching classical song entitled "LureinLay".
There is also a purely tribal drums and vocal piece entitled "Scylla and Charybdis" where I really have fun with multiple vocals. I even have a couple near punk rock-like tunes due to the help of my wonderful beau, Steve Niles. Steve was in Gray Matter back in the day, one of the first Dischord bands, so he's been writing riffs with me.
We knew each other when we were just kids in the punk rock scene, and I love how things have come back full circle for us! One epic piece, EndBegin, is an electro-tribal work that blasts into a thunderous storm of vocals and timpanies. Chad Blinman is mixing and mastering the album, as well as adding live drums to a couple songs.
This has been a giant undertaking; I am so excited about it! I've been getting requests as to where one can donate, though the artwork has been turned in. Donators get on a special list and will be hearing about NAIADES news directly from me though January!
So, I hope you'll join Monica and I as we head into this new/old chapter of our lives. Next year we are hoping to take this circus on the road, playing shows by night and attending comic events by day.
As long as we're making things, I'm happy.
-Steve
Very excited to hear the tracks, and that gathering of artists is simply amazing. Definitely want to get my hands on this soon.
Posted by: Orlando | Nov 27, 2011 at 11:54 PM