Ride
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Raised
A fictional novel. A drummer in pursuit of stardom is on a one way track to joining rock n roll's infamous 27 club unless he can change his trajectory
Ride is a fictional novel inspired by true events. It follows Australian drummer Tommy Chaise in pursuit of rock n roll stardom. When Tommy joins 'The Fury' his world is changed forever. He plays a series of calamitous shows across Melbourne before the band relocate to London to have a crack at the big time. Unable to break destructive behaviour & limiting beliefs Tommy must face up to the truth or risk his demise.
Funding period
2/1/20 -
3/2/20
Realisation
July 2020
Minimum amount (Start level): 3,000 €
This will enable the book to be delivered to you & the rest of the world.
City
Hamburg
Category
Literature
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What is this project all about?
RIDE is an entertaining account of a garage band The Fury attempting to take on the world as the central figure, the drummer, struggles with his artistry, his comrades & the battle against his own excessive behaviours. It offers an intimate behind the scenes look at what it's like to be in an original rock band throwing it all on the line.
The Fury is an eclectic 4-piece ultra Indie pop ensemble out of Melbourne. Charlotte Higgin’s silky smooth vocals compliment Ronnie Savage’s blazing psychedelic riffs. Nick Suede’s driving bass and backing vocals form an unshakable rhythm section with the thunderous Tommy Chaise on drums. These guys will hit you in the face with a furious live show like no other.
A band is a relationship & like any good marriage it takes work. If you throw a bunch of sleep deprived, excess fuelled creatives with loud instruments in a room with no windows, navigating the friction is like trying to nurture a lit fire cracker seconds from exploding. Add to it the pressures & logistics of touring, playing live & the influence of the record industry, you have a rock n roll rocket soaring into space with a meteor flying directly at it.
Ride welcomes you backstage at some of Melbourne's most established live venues including the Espy & Revolver. It sits you on the leather sofa at the recording desk as you observe the band attempt to make the next big hit. It puts you in the driver seat in the Australian landscape & on a double decker bus. It takes you to sound check in London & on stages formerly graced by the likes of Jimi Hendrix, Dylan, Nirvana & Led Zeppelin. You are there with the band as they push their instruments through the streets of Brixton in a shopping trolley to rehearse under a convenient store on Electric Avenue.
For Tommy, chasing fame & adulation is fraught with danger. The gorilla in him that fuels his drumming is in danger of rattling the cage so hard it damages himself & others. We have all heard the stories of rock n roll legends spiralling out of control past & present so why is this story any different? The tortured rockstar is a common archetype with members of Rock n roll's infamous 27 club sadly at its helm. Cobain, Joplin, Whinehouse to name a few. Tommy is knocking at that same door & it's only getting louder. If he can find the courage to do so, he can steer the rollercoaster in the direction of self truth & step away from that door.
Ride is a book about self-discovery, ego, sacrifice, risk, success, failure, Melbourne, life in a new city, London, collaboration & good old rock n roll antics. It is the first novel from Danny Thomas.
What is the project goal and who is the project for?
The goal of the project is to provide an entertaining look at what it means to be human. The path of self discovery is often an unchartered & rocky road for those brave enough to pursue it. The choices we make, the directions we take can ultimately lead to a place we didn't expect more rewarding than we imagined. This book is an example of someone limited by conditioned, unhelpful self-beliefs that no longer serve him & his quest to change them. It's about the indirect path to 'success'.
Ride is for anyone in pursuit of betterment. It's for anyone who has taken the risk to move to a new city. It's a guide to anyone in pursuit of art in particular the music industry & anyone curious about relationships.
Why would you support this project?
By supporting this project you are helping create further awareness around mental health. Anxiety, depression & addiction need not be taboo subjects, they can be part of normal conversation to better understand them. You are also helping a story teller take his first step as an author so he can continue to share entertaining stories about the human condition.
How will we use the money if the project is successfully funded?
So why not just find a publisher? From my experiences within the record industry I am an advocate for the independent artist. We are in an age where through community support we can get our stuff out there free from the shackles of corporate entities.
How do we know you will finish it? There is no chance the book won't be delivered as the final draft has already been completed.
The money will be used for:
- editing
- artwork
- e-book formatting
- hard copy formatting
- audio book recording
- hard copy printing
- distribution & marketing
Who are the people behind the project?
I spent 10 years playing in original bands performing over 500 shows. Every show was unique whether it be to 10 people, 1000 or just the bar staff. There were the highest of highs & the lowest of lows. The moments on stage, particularly when things went wrong, shaped my character & the experience lead me where I am today living happily in Hamburg.
The story teller in me was always observing. Drawing from my experiences I started writing this book 5 years ago. There have been many days spent staring at the blank page. Daily battles in local coffee shops fighting the incessant inner critique asking questions like. 'Who do you think you are to write a book, why would anyone be interested in what you have to say... rock stories have already been told, there's no room for yours...' & on it goes. At times it has been an isolating experience trying to put pen to paper in a world full of distraction. Through persistence & hard work I now realise it's time to share it with the world & I can only do that with your help. So please pledge, sit back & enjoy the ride.
Denis (co-founder of Startnext)
