It's Enough To Cure You of Philanthropy

[teddy_radiator]

Going on two years ago now, my friend Christopher Branch ran a kickstart program to help him get his latest album off the ground. At my urging, several friends here gave very generously to his program with the promise that not only would we get a copy of the album, but a copy of an acoustic album he was working on as a bonus. He promised us all sorts of favours for campaigning for him (including having us play on the album and the agreement to include one of my songs on the acoustic set). To date, this album seems to be no further down the road than it was two years ago; in fact, it seems to be several steps back from where it was.

I'm very disappointed in how Chris has dealt with this project. I was there when he was recording it, and heard a lot of the original tracks. At that time, it was going to be 'weeks' and the finished product would be winging its way to his benefactors. The weeks turned into months, and the months have turned into years, as one thing after another seems to have got in his way. He didn't like the mixdown; he wasn't happy with some of the instrumental stuff. He got in a palaver over the masters; he had to wait until a certain person in Nashville was available to properly mix it. He has re-recorded most of it at least twice; he's had a baby, and he's stopped talking about it as an upcoming album in any shape, form or fashion. TheHubs® has admittedly nagged him, saying that many people have given him money and expect a return for their help - which was part of the original kickstart agreement.

It saddens me to say, but the last time TH® spoke to him, he just quipped, "Give me their addresses and I'll give them their money back."

I would very much like to do that; I'm disgusted with how he has repaid our support and friendship, and I feel like we've been used in many unsavoury ways in order for him to get money, and he's used that money in ways it was never intended to be used. To my knowledge, none of the money raised by the kickstart program actually went toward the album at all; it went to personal and financial obligations he had that had nothing to do with the album. It seems that this album which he touted as his 'breakthrough' vehicle, is never going to be finished - and don't even get me started on the so-called acoustic album that was the added bonus. Whatever he's done with this album, it's still not ready for release anytime soon. All his grand plans seems to be smoke. I mean, it's been enough time down the road to where I no longer care if we're on the album or not, or if one of my songs will be included or not. His constant procrastination has really got me to the point where I just don't care about that anymore. What I do care about is that my friends were cheated out of their money because I urged you to help him out. I think I'm a little bit justified in being ticked off about that, whether he thinks so or not.

If you contributed to the kickstart program, I will be happy to take your name and address and the amount you donated and send it to him. I cannot believe you will ever see a penny of this money; he has broken faith with too many people for that to happen, and now with a baby and a single income, he is in even less financial shape to refund anything. But I hate to see you cheated, especially when it was I who asked you to donate.

I can only apologise. I truly thought this would be a great thing (and his music is very enjoyable), but his priorities are so strange right now and he's so uncomfortable about the whole situation he will barely speak to us anymore.

Comments

[eoforyth.livejournal.com]

*Hugs*

[gelsey.livejournal.com]

It's not your fault. After all, it's he who has broken the contract, and given that there is some sort of agreement through kickstarter there could be actual repurcussions if anyone wanted to. I don't know that for sure, however.

But it's not your fault - you didn't make him not follow through. *hugs* But I understand the feeling, and I'm sorry.

[errandofmercy.livejournal.com]

Aw Teddy, I'm sorry. I have had similar experiences but none so bad. A friend of mine who I love dearly but who suffers from chronic spaciness has still not finished a commissioned SS/AD piece, fully paid for about 3 years ago. I also gave to a friend's album kickstarter and have not seen anything. I love both of these friends and I have forgiven them, though it's disappointing. I try not to give more than I can really part with - then I can reframe it as a real "gift" with no expected return. If either of those projects ever do show up on my doorstep, it will be a nice surprise, but I am not holding my breath (or a grudge).

It sounds like what you did was considerably more entrenched, though, and I'm very sorry to hear that your friend abused your trust. It sounds like he has some issues to work out with himself, and now that he has had a kid he may never get the chance to "make up" for messing with you if his finances are still tight. I just hope that you can let go and have some peace about it. <3 *hugs*

[beffeysue.livejournal.com]

It's not your fault at all. The onus is on him, and him alone, to be honest with the people who supported him. Please don't think harshly of yourself.

*hugs*

[kittylefish.livejournal.com]

i hope that posting about this helps you to process it and if any of your friends who gave want you to pass on their address, maybe that will help too. ultimately, i'm sure nobody here will blame you for promoting his project in good faith. shit happens, and most people get that. i understand your disappointment, and you are perfectly within your rights to have your feelings. and that said, i hope you can let go of the notion that you hold any responsibility for what happened, and forgive yourself and maybe him too some day. *hugs*

[ex-logospil.livejournal.com]

*tender robed embrace*

[toblass.livejournal.com]

Don't worry about it, Teddy. Your intentions were pure and you were truly being supportive. It's unfortunate he's chosen this route, but the ball is now in his court. But thank you for letting us know what has happened to that project so there's no more wondering when.

[delphipsmith]

Oh, that is a shame. Whenever I donate to Kickstarter, I always do so under the assumption that it's a gift, not a payment, because you just never know what will happen :/ I would love to hear your song, though, or see the lyrics!

[stgulik.livejournal.com]

I didn't pitch in much at all, and I considered it more of a gift than an investment. I won't contribute to Kickstarter again, though. Live and learn!

As someone who has committed legendary feats of procrastination, I know how bad he probably feels. He can't even think about the mess his album is in without guilt - and he thinks about it all the time because he was on a Path and now is in a Deep Rut he can't see his way out of. I wouldn't wish this feeling on anyone.

I went to the Kickstarter website to see how to complain. Kickstarter, wisely, does not get involved in the realm of timely completions of projects. When it comes to deciding who to back, they recommend using one's "internet smarts" and Google-fu to figure it out. They don't take complaints from disgruntled backers. (Edited to stress again that Kickstarter bills itself as being in the business of crowdsourced backing, not guaranteed delivery of cool stuff. Fair enough.)

So ... I suggest we all use our Tumblr accounts to document the facts of this case. Name, album name, promises made but not delivered as of this date. Just facts, not hyperbole. It will make it so the next backers (if he tries again) who search his name will be forewarned.

[darklotus1211.livejournal.com]

Please don't blame yourself for this, teddy m'dear. You are one of the people he let down as well, and worse still, has put you in a position where you're feeling this way.

I've seen this happen so many times with artists, and often artists that really have a chance to succeed. I think it's a fear of failure on their part, usually quite unconscious or denied - or, over time, one turning into the other. His quip to you, the constant remixing, the re-recording with no progress made afterwards... seriously, I've seen it so many times before.

Some people just aren't the 'jump in the deep end' type of people, and releasing your work independently or sending it off to record companies/literary or art agents/publishing houses etc is just that, as you know.

The awful shame of it is that by not putting themselves out there, they've already failed, but in a slightly more acceptable (to them) way.

There's really no excuse (although he no doubt has many) for not releasing his music, especially now digital releases are so common with sites like digital7 that make the whole process quite painless. I don't know much about iTunes, but I assume they have provision for independent digital releases too, as do many other sites.

I hope he eventually gets the confidence to actually take the plunge and that he appreciates the support you've given him.

[mimimanderly.livejournal.com]

Don't ever put money in the stock market, then, because Kickstart is what it reminds me of -- only artists are involved, not corporations. The trouble is, artists are notorious for not always acting in their best interests... unlike corporations.

Don't beat yourself up about this. You didn't force anyone to invest at gunpoint, after all. And please don't be so hard on Chris, either. As others have pointed out, he probably has a deep-seated fear of failure. It's easier for him to blame all these technical difficulties for being a non-starter. That way, to his mind, he hasn't really failed. But if he actually went forward with his project... put himself out there... and still didn't make it... well, then he would consider himself a failure. Plus, with a kid now, he has other considerations. Nothing like kids to sap your creative energy. Forgive him... forgive yourself... and move on.

[akatnamedeaster.livejournal.com]

Most definitely nothing for you to apologize for, none of this is on your head. The only thing to do is put it behind you since at this point I would write off any donation and just assume nothing is going to come of it.

I will say, if you're friend is dealing with a new baby he may just come around at some point when things settle down a bit. The first year or so of having a kid has a way of knocking everything but the most pressing matters out of your mind. Once you get over the hump it becomes easier to concentrate on the non-essentials.

[droxy.livejournal.com]

It happens. Hugs. Also I got an email from kick starter stating some passwords got compromised, and that's unrelated to your issue.

On a whole, I find musicians to be a tad to much P type on the Meyers Briggs scale, which is interesting considering musical talent is supposed to be a sign of r logic and being good at math.

[alabastard.livejournal.com]

This happens more and more, as kickstarter type fundraising becomes more common, it's also more often abused. I just don't get involved anymore, after a few burns and once being asked outright why I wasn't "paying up" to someone's campaign. I hope you all get your money back, but yeah, don't hold your breath.