Everett band Tellers performing to raise money for its first album

Published 1:30 am Friday, March 17, 2017

When you love music you really want the bands you’re a fan of to just keep cranking out the material.

But it’s hard to make a record. Writing and arranging songs certainly isn’t easy. Getting your whole band on the same schedule for practicing and recording can be a real tall order depending on how many members there are. Once you get that all sorted there’s still the economics of it all.

Making a record is expensive.

You have to pay for studio time, mixing, mastering and, typically, make a minimum order of CDs, cassettes or vinyl records. And there is no promise you’ll make that money back. Some bands max out multiple credit cards just to get through this process.

These days, lots of bands use Kickstarter to raise money. It’s great. You give the band some money and pick incentives from different levels. It totally works and helps fans feel a certain level of investment in the project, which is important. However, the burden this can put on a band on the fulfillment end of the transaction can really consume a lot of time and money, making it counterproductive at times.

Everett band Tellers (formerly Preacher’s Wife) had to make a decision on “How the heck do we pay for this thing?” — their first full-length record. Their answer? Throw a fundraiser show with the help of some good friends.

“We decided to do a show instead of a Kickstarter because it’s a one-time event,” said Tellers singer Sarah Feinberg. “The contributors are receiving the benefit of their donation immediately by getting to see a rad show. It’s a lot less work for us than a Kickstarter.”

The concert is set for tonight, March 17, in downtown Everett, featuring Tellers and their friends — the Everett band I Will Keep Your Ghost, Seattle’s Lonely Mountain Lovers and the Snohomish group Fretland.

All proceeds from the show will go to the new album.

“Making a record can be stressful for many reasons. Pressure to perform well and use time wisely. With that said, paying for an album can sometimes seem impossible,” said Feinberg, who made it clear that the support of their friends is important to the band’s success.

This show will take place in a space at 2701 Wetmore Ave., across the street from the Everett Performing Arts Center. Band members hope that music lovers will donate to the cause and enjoy celebrating St. Patrick’s Day.

If you go

The bands Tellers, I Will Keep Your Ghost, Lonely Mountain Lovers and Fretland will perform for a fundraiser at 8 p.m. March 17 at 2701 Wetmore Ave., Everett. Suggested donation is $10 at the door.