THE MISSION
More than ever in this crazy world we need music to connect people and spread good vibes. This is my mission in life, my superpower, and the reason I'm on this earth. Me, and a whole community of songwriters and musicians, need your help to bring my 3rd studio album to life.
It's my most exciting record yet, featuring uptempo, soul bangers written and performed with incredible collaborators, all of us ready to bring mad amounts of feel-good energy to your hearts, ears, and feet.
This is an ALL-OR-NOTHING campaign so if we don't hit our target well get nadaaaaaaa. Be part of spreading the love - grab yourself a delish award and become a backer now!
THE MUSIC
Want a taste of what's to come? Here are some rough, unmixed demos recorded at a rehearsal with the full band. The songs sound sick already... just imagine what a studio recording will be like! My gauddd... it's gonna be epic!
No Right Time (Feat. Melina Malone) / What We Had (Feat. shiv) / The Papez (Feat. jarjarjr) / Wanna Go (Feat. Gemma Dunleavy)
THE COLLABORATORS
It wouldn't be a ZASKA album without amazing collaborators! I'm blessed to have co-written this collection of songs with these ridiculously talented Irish artists whose vocals are unmatched for their buttery flow:
Lo-Fi R&B Queen - shiv
Alt-Pop Giant - Gemma Dunleavy
Sultry Soul Diva - Melina Malone
Hip-Hop Beatmaster - jarjarjr
Along with myself on guitar, the rhythm section is the dream team of Dylan Lynch (drums), Neil Dorrington (bass), Luke Howard (keys), along with horns by Denis Scully (sax), Paul Kiernan (trumpet), and Karl Ronan (trombone).
THE LIVE RECORDING
“BUT ZASKA, DIDN’T YOU JUST RECORD THESE SONGS LIVE?” 🤔
Yes! We sure did! It was part of an incredible residency from the Triskel Arts Centre and the Improvised Music Company that provided funding to write, perform, record, and release a 5-song live in Cork EP. I'm so very grateful because we ended up with 11 new songs and recorded them live with a 12-piece band. The night was magical and the tunes sounded whopper!
“SO WHY DO YOU NEED TO RECORD THIS IN STUDIO? WHY NOT JUST RELEASE THE LIVE RECORD?” 🧐
We believe these songs have huge potential to break through to new audiences and support all 5 collaborators. And we didn’t know that before the songs became fully realized on that stage.
As amazing as the live recording sounds, these days, live records are just not as commercially viable. Most radio won’t play live tracks, and streaming & playlists rarely support live recordings of brand-new songs.
So, to give these songs the absolute best shot at getting widespread support and reaching new listeners there needs to be a sparkly clean studio recording.
“THEN WHAT’S THE PLAN WITH ALL THESE RECORDINGS?” 🤩
Right now, there is a budget to finish the production and release the 5-song live EP that was initially planned. But, with this successful funding campaign, there will be BOTH A STUDIO ALBUM & A LIVE ALBUM 🙌 Aw ma gauuudddd!!!! 🤯
THE BUDGET & STRETCH GOALS
The Bare Bones - All Or Nothing
This is an all-or-nothing campaign so we have to hit the 1st target of 10,000 or we get absolutely nadaaaa! This initial amount will cover what's needed for the studio recording: studio time, recording engineer, mixing, mastering, and paying all the musicians. It will also cover artwork and manufacturing to get a small limited run of vinyl & CDs done to fulfill the rewards.
But we're not stopping there..........
Once we get past €10,000 the "STRETCH GOALS" get unlocked on our way to €20,000 which will realize the ultimate vision for the project. This will give me a marketing budget for the studio album and also turn the live EP into a full live album.
Full deets below 👇
MAIN GOAL - €10,000 - Studio Album Recording
- Studio hire & recording engineer - €1500
- Artist fees - €3800
- Mixing & mastering - €2500
- Limited Vinyl & CD Manufacture to fulfill rewards - €1400
- Crowdfunding platform fees - €800
STRETCH GOAL #1 - €13,000 (unlocks digital download of 5-song
live EP for all funders)
- Music video for studio single #1 - €1000
- PR & radio album campaign - €2000
STRETCH GOAL #2 - €17,000 (unlocks digital download of Full Live Album for all funders)
- Live album finished mixed & mastered - €1500
- Music video for studio single #2 - €1000
- More Promo - €1500
STRETCH GOAL #3 - €20,000 (unlocks deluxe digital download of full live album with delish bonus content for all funders)
- Music video for studio single 3 - €1000
- Online advertising €1200
- Additional Crowdfunding platform fees - €800
THE RELEASE PLAN
I could try and explain the timeline of this project but luckily my awesome manager has done an easy-to-understand graphic that saves me spitting a million confusing dates at you 😂 All going well you should have your reward in the mail by the start of Q4 2024, if not earlier 🙌
LET'S DO THIS!
Help me and all these other amazing independent musicians (no record labels here!) bring this project to life and spread some soul and positive vibes in the world. Grab yourself a reward and become a backer today you legend!
Much love xx
Max Zaska
P.S. There are 15 different rewards with something for everyone. About half are super limited. Keep scrolling to see them all!
Perks
You'll get a signed copy of my new studio album as a Limited Edition CD. Includes worldwide shipping + digital download.
Get a name in the thank you section of the CD sleeve. Make it your name, your mom's, your bestie, your dog, or your company. Whoever you choose, you can gaze upon it while listening to the positive vibes you helped bring to the world! Includes worldwide shipping + digital download.
You'll be in analogue heaven with this signed limited edition first pressing of my new studio album on gorgeous vinyl. Includes unlimited hipster cool points, worldwide shipping + digital download.
Get a name in the thank you section of the vinyl sleeve. Make it your name, your mom's, your bestie, your dog, or your company. Whoever you choose, you can gaze upon it while listening to the positive vibes you helped bring to the world! Includes serious bragging rights, worldwide shipping + digital download.
You'll get a personal video thank you message from me filled with gratitude & good vibez for bringing this project to life. PLUS a vinyl with your name in the thank you section on the sleeve. And of course, the worldwide shipping + digital download.
Get BOTH the vinyl and CD with your name in the thank you section on the sleeves. PLUS you'll get a personal video thank you message from me filled with gratitude for bringing this project to life. And of course, the worldwide shipping + digital download.
- 1 claimed
- 4 remaining
You'll get a 40-minute one-on-one guitar lesson via Zoom or in person at my home with yours truly. I'll teach you the secret of the tap slide and some other cool shizz. You’ll be shredding!!!! (Includes a vinyl with your name on the sleeve, worldwide shipping + digital album bonus pack.)
- 2 claimed
- 0 remaining
You'll get 1 of only 2 available vinyl test pressings of the new studio album. That's some rare sheez right there! (Includes an actual vinyl too with your name in the thank you section, worldwide shipping + digital album bonus pack.)
- 0 claimed
- 5 remaining
You'll get your very own full-length custom song, written, recorded, produced, and mixed by me. It's an epic present for that person who has everything, or a special someone in your life to commemorate an occasion or a wonderfully self-indulgent treat for yourself. (Includes a vinyl with your name on the sleeve, worldwide shipping + digital album bonus pack.)
- 0 claimed
- 2 remaining
Your own 1-hour in-person house concert with me on guitar and 1 singer. Invite a few friends and have some lovely chilled vibez. IRELAND only. Sunday to Thursday on a mutually agreed date. (Includes a vinyl with your name on the sleeve, worldwide shipping + digital album bonus pack.)
- 0 claimed
- 3 remaining
If you contribute at this level you'll have significantly helped fund my new album into existence and you deserve some pampering! You and a friend will come to our mini commune, known among friends as the 'Baby Farm', located beside the canal in the countryside where we live with our best friends. You can do a yoga class with my wife, a certified teacher, get a choice of holistic treatments from our experienced in-house practitioner, have a visit to my studio to get an up-close look at where the magic happens, and you'll be served a gorgeous meal. We'll go on to be "besties 4 life" and you'd have a special place in my heart. (Includes a vinyl with your name on the sleeve, worldwide shipping + digital album bonus pack.)
- 1 claimed
- 0 remaining
Ever wanted to have the full ZASKA 7-piece band experience, but don't want the hassle of travelling? Now you can have your own 1-hour full-band ZASKA concert (with horns & vocalist) in the comfort of your own home. Invite your friends and host the stankiest party ever! We'll supply all the equipment. IRELAND only. Sunday to Thursday on a mutually agreed date. (Includes a vinyl with your name on the sleeve, worldwide shipping + digital album bonus pack.)
- 0 claimed
- 1 remaining
This is the ultimate reward! You get the EXECUTIVE PRODUCER credit on the album and unlimited bragging rights, without actually having to do any of the hard work. Just sit back and bathe in your own soundness, knowing you're helping independent music. I'll send you progress updates on how the production and release campaigns are going and you'll have first listen on all new mixes. You'll get invited to the studio when we record to meet the band and hang out while it's been recorded. I'll also frame the album and send it to you for your wall, just like a high-powered music industry executive! 🙌 We'll make sure the world knows your name as it will be listed EVERYWHERE the credits appear.
Highlights
See all activity142Artists
ZASKA
Guitarist, songwriter, musical director, and producer, Max Zaska is best known for his band ZASKA's feel-good blend of indie jazz, neo-soul, and modern funk featuring collaborations with Irish vocalists including Hozier. ZASKA has released two albums to critical acclaim and played high-profile headline sets at Guinness Cork Jazz Festival, The Button Factory Dublin, and the Mladí ladí jazz Open Air Festival in Prague.
Gemma Dunleavy
Dublin’s Gemma Dunleavy’s breakout EP and single ‘Up De Flats’ tells of her love for her North Inner City Sherrif Street community. Gemma is a songwriter and producer who experiments with integrating harp and flute with traditional storytelling and her love for pop & club music. She has headlined Other Voices, All Together Now, Forbidden Fruit, Electric Picnic, and Longitude festivals.
shiv
shiv is an Irish-Zimbawean DJ turned singer-songwriter & producer who blends R&B and low-fi hip-hop with elements of soul and neo-soul. Her silky voice, soulful lyrics, and warm hazy instrumentals have won over a global audience with her song ‘Golden’ amassing over 10M Spotify streams. Her most recent singles, ‘Heavy Water', 'Late Now', and ‘Mother’ have highlighted her range of styles. shiv has performed at Body & Soul, Sea Sessions, and Forbidden Fruit festivals.
Melina Malone
Tipped as 'one of the best voices in Ireland' by GoldenPlec, Dublin-born R&B artist Melina Malone recently released her debut album, ‘Aphrodite’ and showcased at Ireland Music Week. Melina was part of Irish Women in Harmony’s 2020’s breakout charity single, ‘Dreams’ and her powerful voice can be heard on Mango X Mathman’s club hit ‘Heartbreaks & Promises’. A frequent collaborator with Max Zaska, Melina co-wrote the 2022 ZASKA single, ‘Just For One Day’, while another of their co-writes, ‘Anywhere, appears on her album.
jarjarjr
Cork-based beat-maker turned vocalist jarjajr amassed a huge online following as a pioneer in the SoundCloud beat scene. He mixes instrumental lo-fi hip-hop beats, spoken word, rap, and jazz elements to create a uniquely chilled sound. jarjarjr has performed at the Guinness Cork Jazz Festival, curating a gathering of the most exciting and experimental voices in hip-hop, jazz, and neo-soul. jarjarjr’s 2023 release ‘Song 50,000’ is a collaboration with Dublin jazz trio Five to Two. His debut album ‘Catch the Dusk’ will be released later this year.
Band
Max Zaska (guitar) Dylan Lynch (drums), Neil Dorrington (bass), Luke
Howard (keys)
Paul Kiernan (trumpet), Denis Scully (saxophone),
Karl Ronan (trombone)
Activity
You'll get a signed copy of my new studio album as a Limited Edition CD. Includes worldwide shipping + digital download.
Get a name in the thank you section of the CD sleeve. Make it your name, your mom's, your bestie, your dog, or your company. Whoever you choose, you can gaze upon it while listening to the positive vibes you helped bring to the world! Includes worldwide shipping + digital download.
You'll be in analogue heaven with this signed limited edition first pressing of my new studio album on gorgeous vinyl. Includes unlimited hipster cool points, worldwide shipping + digital download.
Get a name in the thank you section of the vinyl sleeve. Make it your name, your mom's, your bestie, your dog, or your company. Whoever you choose, you can gaze upon it while listening to the positive vibes you helped bring to the world! Includes serious bragging rights, worldwide shipping + digital download.
You'll get a personal video thank you message from me filled with gratitude & good vibez for bringing this project to life. PLUS a vinyl with your name in the thank you section on the sleeve. And of course, the worldwide shipping + digital download.
Get BOTH the vinyl and CD with your name in the thank you section on the sleeves. PLUS you'll get a personal video thank you message from me filled with gratitude for bringing this project to life. And of course, the worldwide shipping + digital download.
- 1 claimed
- 4 remaining
You'll get a 40-minute one-on-one guitar lesson via Zoom or in person at my home with yours truly. I'll teach you the secret of the tap slide and some other cool shizz. You’ll be shredding!!!! (Includes a vinyl with your name on the sleeve, worldwide shipping + digital album bonus pack.)
- 2 claimed
- 0 remaining
You'll get 1 of only 2 available vinyl test pressings of the new studio album. That's some rare sheez right there! (Includes an actual vinyl too with your name in the thank you section, worldwide shipping + digital album bonus pack.)
- 0 claimed
- 5 remaining
You'll get your very own full-length custom song, written, recorded, produced, and mixed by me. It's an epic present for that person who has everything, or a special someone in your life to commemorate an occasion or a wonderfully self-indulgent treat for yourself. (Includes a vinyl with your name on the sleeve, worldwide shipping + digital album bonus pack.)
- 0 claimed
- 2 remaining
Your own 1-hour in-person house concert with me on guitar and 1 singer. Invite a few friends and have some lovely chilled vibez. IRELAND only. Sunday to Thursday on a mutually agreed date. (Includes a vinyl with your name on the sleeve, worldwide shipping + digital album bonus pack.)
- 0 claimed
- 3 remaining
If you contribute at this level you'll have significantly helped fund my new album into existence and you deserve some pampering! You and a friend will come to our mini commune, known among friends as the 'Baby Farm', located beside the canal in the countryside where we live with our best friends. You can do a yoga class with my wife, a certified teacher, get a choice of holistic treatments from our experienced in-house practitioner, have a visit to my studio to get an up-close look at where the magic happens, and you'll be served a gorgeous meal. We'll go on to be "besties 4 life" and you'd have a special place in my heart. (Includes a vinyl with your name on the sleeve, worldwide shipping + digital album bonus pack.)
- 1 claimed
- 0 remaining
Ever wanted to have the full ZASKA 7-piece band experience, but don't want the hassle of travelling? Now you can have your own 1-hour full-band ZASKA concert (with horns & vocalist) in the comfort of your own home. Invite your friends and host the stankiest party ever! We'll supply all the equipment. IRELAND only. Sunday to Thursday on a mutually agreed date. (Includes a vinyl with your name on the sleeve, worldwide shipping + digital album bonus pack.)
- 0 claimed
- 1 remaining
This is the ultimate reward! You get the EXECUTIVE PRODUCER credit on the album and unlimited bragging rights, without actually having to do any of the hard work. Just sit back and bathe in your own soundness, knowing you're helping independent music. I'll send you progress updates on how the production and release campaigns are going and you'll have first listen on all new mixes. You'll get invited to the studio when we record to meet the band and hang out while it's been recorded. I'll also frame the album and send it to you for your wall, just like a high-powered music industry executive! 🙌 We'll make sure the world knows your name as it will be listed EVERYWHERE the credits appear.
