Sonia Montez Launches Kickstarter Campaign for New Album

Watch the video: Visit our campaign webpage at Kickstarter.com and get a sneak preview of Sonia Montez performing new material for upcoming album.  The campaign video, directed by filmmaker Ryan Gielen, was filmed at our RedBird Studio in Midtown, and features an impromptu live recording of one of Sonia’s most personal compositions. While there are many independent artists vying for attention in today’s evolving media landscape, we feel that nothing speaks more clearly than the music itself.  We hope you will enjoy, and support the development of extraordinary independent music.

PRESS RELEASE June 1st 2011:

New York, NY - Musician Sonia Montez begins a 90-day fundraising campaign on Kickstarter.com today to fund her first full length album. The campaign, developed with independent production company Radian Records, has target budget of $10,000 pledged in diverse amounts. With rewards from $1 to download an MP3, to $5000 to join the project as an executive producer, backers of all financial ability are invited to show their support.

As a singer-composer, Brooklyn based Sonia Montez echoes her fascination with humanity and myriad of experiences. Early influences include Ella Fitzgerald, The Beatles, Mercedes Sosa and the like but she does not shy away from comparisons to her more contemporary counterparts, incorporating her adept musical phrasing and personal wit.

Sonia began her musical career at age 6, joining El Coro de Ninos de San Juan, the world renowned children’s choir. Studying voice and violin, she eventually tired of rote classical training and set out to teach herself the guitar. Following her love of jazz, pop, alternative rock, and folk, she emerged as a songwriting force, dazzling audiences and critics.

At the age of fourteen, Sonia began playing the New York City open-mic scene with veterans Kimya Dawson and Regina Spektor. She went on to share the stage with legendary songwriter Chip Taylor, and has opened sold out shows for Matt Nathanson, Jessie Bailyn, Kaki King, and The Mountain Goats.

Sonia is currently in pre-production for this 2nd release with producer Andrew Felluss at Radian Records.  Sonia’s live performance of “For…” can be seen in the Kickstarter campaign video reel, which was produced & directed by filmmaker Ryan Gielen.

Kickstarter is the largest funding platform for creative projects in the world. Every month, tens of thousands pledge millions of dollars to projects from the worlds of music, film, art, technology, design, food, publishing and other creative fields. Project creators keep 100% ownership and control over their work. Instead, they offer products and experiences that are unique to each project. It’s all or nothing funding on Kickstarter, a project must reach its funding goal before time runs out or no money changes hands.

Campaign URL:
http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/radianrecords/sonia-montez-2011-album-project
OR
http://tiny.cc/soniamontez

RedBird Studio, located in the Music Building is owned and operated by Radian Records.  We are pleased to announce new card rates for the studio in 2011-2012:

• $40/hour with Engineer
• $25/hour Facility Rate: available to producers/engineers operating their own sessions, or for non-recording activities (such as meeting space, rehearsal, writing, etc.)

For block bookings or long-term lockout rates please contact us to discuss.  We look forward to providing you with a space to work in Midtown.

Telephone: 212.727.8055
Email: info@redbirdstudionyc.com

RedBird Studio and Radian Records logos designed by Emiliano Ortiz

Please visit the event blog to see what’s up…

Episode 1: Featuring Sonia Montez, EVENi, Jus Cool, The Shwizz

Showcase ONE is an ultra-effective digital and multimedia platform for launching and checking out new talent. Showcase ONE features music, videos, interviews, photos, and stories from emerging music talent presented in a compelling innovative style that allows you, the audience, to become SC1 A & R Reps. It gives you the ability to not only see what happens after the curtain raises and the gig begins, but also get a feel for what it’s all about behind the scenes.

The Showcase ONE site gives our audience the ability to choose who they want to be one of our featured artists profiled in the Showcase ONE television show. The television show doesn’t just contain artists’ performances, it revolves around stories behind the artist. Showcase ONE can capture an audience with interesting story lines that allow them to connect to the musician inside and outside of their music.

photo: Benedict Evans

Radian Records artist Lola Johnson was recently interviewed at Cocoa Cure.com:

“In 90-degree weather, Lola Johnson is cool as a fan. Comfortable in her skin, laid back and confident in her place in the world of music. With her acoustic guitar not far from her sight, she is said to be one that is “careless enough to mix jack with the house red”. Think of the bravado of Jimi Hendrix, with the nostalgia of Nora Jones, the blues of Billie Holiday and a sultry hint of Ethel Waters. She states she’s inspired from various influences, such as Phoebe Snow, Jimi Hendrix, and Jeff Buckley. Not afraid to confront insanity and talk of her quest for legendary status…”

read the interview at Cocoa Cure.com

Featuring Kites of Saturn, Futurist and Sonia Montez.  Flyer designed by Emiliano Ortiz.

No Cover, Donations Accepted.

Radian Records artist, Sonia Montez, will be playing an acoustic set on Monday, May 10th at Gavin and Joey DeGraw’s famous National Underground. The show starts at 7:45pm at the downstairs stage. $8 Door cover, Age 18+.

Futurist - Radian Records Sponsored Artist Futurist was working on the song “Anti-Hero”, which features our first full rhythm section recording in the new facility.  Produced by Andrew Felluss and Curtis Peel, the track features drums, bass, acoustic guitar, pedal steel, percussion, cello, and vocals all recorded in our studio and first heard at SXSW.

FIGO - Engineer Jason Stasium was at Radian Records Studio with Parag and Paul of FIGO recording vocals and mixing several tracks for future release, and available at SXSW on promo disc.

doublethink - The Wink Winks artist doublethink was in our new studio recording vocals, mixing and mastering tracks for their new EP, debuted at SXSW.