What the heck is progressive filk-rock?
Filk music is the folk music of science fiction fandom - think acoustic instruments, close harmony, and songs about the space program. Our sound is firmly rooted in the filk tradition, but also strongly influenced by the multi-layered complexity of prog-rock bands from the 1970s and beyond. Basically, we love the tight-knit community and the geeky themes of filk, and we love noisy electric guitars and synthesizers too.
Last updated: October 01, 2018 03:20
Who else is helping you make this record?
I am very fortunate to have many companions on my journey. Although I am the only writer of these songs, I would not be able to finish this album without my bandmates’ many contributions. (We are crediting the record to Beth Kinderman rather than Beth Kinderman & the Player Characters because it represents a thematic, although not stylistic, departure from my previous recordings with the band.) The amazing performers whose work you will hear on The Hero’s Journey alongside my vocals and acoustic guitar are:
Dave Stagner (guitars, engineering and mixing, production, and many other things) - Dave has been my collaborator and producer since 2008. He’s given more to this project than I can possibly summarize in one bullet point. His passion for this album is particularly evident in his inventive guitar work, which is daring, emotional, unique, and always carefully considered to enhance the mood and themes of each song.
Justin Hartley (drums and percussion) - Justin has also been with the Player Characters since 2008. His intricate and powerful drum parts, whether performed on a kit or on one of many hand percussion implements from his bag of “dingers and whatzits,” always give my songs the perfect sense of drama and scale. He has a delightful and absurdist sense of humor and keeps us from taking ourselves too seriously.
Elizabeth Greenberg (violin and harmony vocals) - Elizabeth joined the Player Characters in 2011. A technically skillful and classically trained musician who enthusiastically embraces weird keys and time signatures, she has never once balked at anything I’ve thrown at her. Through her sensitive playing and insightful feedback, she makes sure that the spirit of my songs always shines brightly and clearly.
Finally, numerous guest and session musicians have kindly agreed to lend their musical abilities to this project: Lizzie Crowe (from Cheshire Moon, on featured vocals), Nikki Huls (harmony vocals), Dennis Maddix (from Gernsback Continuum, on bass), Tami Murck (from Feng Shui Ninjas, on harmony vocals), and Sarah Ravely and Kelly Reich (from Candles Enough, on harmony vocals).
Last updated: October 01, 2018 03:20
How can I learn more about Joseph Campbell and his work?
Check out the Joseph Campbell Foundation at www.jcf.org for more information about the author and the book that inspired this project.
Last updated: October 01, 2018 03:20
I dislike the overuse and misuse of the monomyth as a way to structure stories. Will your project address my concerns?
I know what you mean. Let’s get this out of the way: The Hero’s Journey isn’t trying to say that all cultures or all myths are interchangeable (they aren’t), or that there’s only one good way to tell a story (there isn’t). Rather, I view the hero’s journey as one of many possible frameworks for thinking about the stories that we tell to and about ourselves within our particular Western society, and how they can help us as well as limit us. I hope you’ll find something that speaks to you in these songs, even if the theory of the monomyth doesn’t. “So label me as a cycle breaker/ To know myself is to know my maker.” - Woman as Temptress
Last updated: October 01, 2018 03:20
I think I might want more than one or three of the art prints, but not all 17 of them. What should I do?
We plan to use BackerKit for our post-campaign backer survey and reward fulfillment. Through BackerKit, all backers will have the opportunity to purchase any number of additional art prints or other rewards after the campaign has ended.
Last updated: October 01, 2018 03:20
What is BackerKit?
BackerKit is a service that crowdfunded project creators use to keep track of hundreds to tens of thousands of backers—from shipping details, pledge levels, preferences and quantities, whether they have paid or had their card declined, special notes, and everything in between!
The BackerKit software and support team is independent from the campaign’s project team—BackerKit does not handle the actual reward shipping. For more information about the preparation or delivery status of your rewards, please check the project's updates page.
How does BackerKit work?
After the campaign ends, the project creator will send you an email with a unique link to your survey. You can check out a walkthrough of the process here.
I never received my invitation. How do I complete the survey?
The most common reasons for not receiving a survey email is that you may be checking an email inbox different from the email address you used to sign up with Kickstarter, Indiegogo or Tilt Pro account, or it may be caught in your spam filter.
Confirm that the email address you are searching matches the email address tied to your Kickstarter, Indiegogo, or Tilt Pro account. If that doesn’t work, then try checking your spam, junk or promotions folders. You can also search for "backerkit” in your inbox.
To resend the survey to yourself, visit the project page and input the email address associated with your Kickstarter, Indiegogo or Tilt Pro account.
How do I update my shipping address?
BackerKit allows you to update your shipping address until the shipping addresses are locked by the project creator. To update your address, go back to your BackerKit survey by inputting your email here.
When will my order be shipped, charged or locked?
That is handled directly by the project creator. BackerKit functions independently of the project itself, so we do not have control of their physical shipping timeline. If you want to check on the project’s status, we recommend reading over the project's updates page.
I completed the survey, but haven't received my rewards yet. When will they arrive?
As BackerKit does not actually handle any rewards or shipping, the best way to stay updated on the shipping timeline would be to check out the project's updates page.