"specters" crossfade premieres TOMORROW!
almost 6 years ago – Thu, May 21, 2020 at 02:49:34 PM

Hey everyone, this is Lupin!

Real quick mini-update before I get to the major point: those of you who may have purchased physical copies of SYNTECH 0 from my Bandcamp page? The first big wave has been shipped out. Some of you have talked on Twitter about getting it- thanks so much! I'm glad you're happy with them. 🐺♥

(Backers: You should have received download codes in your emails so you can add SYNTECH 0 to your collection on Bandcamp. Proudly showcase you are one of the lucky folk who have a physical copy!)

Now for the actual news: tomorrow at 3PM EDT (that's May 22, 2020, 3 PM EDT), the crossfade for "specters" will premiere exclusively on YouTube- right here (and below)! So hop on over and set a reminder.

If you're interested in spreading the word, you can help by retweeting and/or replying to (for some reason) this tweet. 

The crossfade features almost ALL of the visuals by rice: every single character concept, every little animation; snippets of EVERY song on the album (of course), and the voiceover talent of my very own twin sister, taking on the role of the conductor making announcements (or, perhaps, just an automated announcement system). I really love how it looks and sounds, and I hope you will, too!

Backers: if you selected "specters" as one of your CDs during reward selection, you will ALSO be receiving your download codes tomorrow for early download and streaming of the full album. I'd love to hear your thoughts on it over on Twitter! 

Okay, anything else? Hmm... we've generally figured out what most of the additional merch will look like for "specters". Exciting!

Alright, I'm out of talking juice. I hope to see many of you at the crossfade premiere tomorrow. Until then (and after), take care of yourselves, everyone!

-Lupin (nostraightanswer)

SYNTECH 0 CDs are now available!
almost 6 years ago – Fri, May 01, 2020 at 11:32:53 AM

Hey y'all! Lupin here. Big announcement today:

SYNTECH 0 Physical Edition is now available for purchase!

(While supplies last.)

If you missed your chance to grab it as part of the Kickstarter, or know someone else who wanted to grab a copy, a second chance is available now! Hurrah!

If you are a backer and selected SYNTECH 0 as one of your discs, you should have received a download code for this particular distribution of the album earlier today. Use this code to add it to your collection on Bandcamp, and show off to the world that you are one of the proud owners of a physical copy! 💖

If you backed the Kickstarter but did NOT select SYNTECH 0 as one of your discs, no worries- all Interface Collection backers should have a 10% discount code waiting for them, only valid on the physical edition of SYNTECH 0. As I noted with the instructions, if you happened to buy a digital copy of SYNTECH+ or SYNNTECH-, or even both, please send an email to [email protected] with proof of purchase (preferably from Bandcamp) and I'll hook you up with a different discount code to use instead (they do not stack, to my knowledge).

With that in mind, today is one of Bandcamp's scheduled revenue share waiver days to support musicians during COVID-19. Until 12:00 PM PDT, May 2, 2020, its a great time to grab a copy of SYNTECH 0 or specters, or music from Circus, Aki, and many other artists you love. If there's a musician you follow that you really dig, they probably have a Bandcamp page, and you should support them if you can!

...Oh, I suppose I didn't mention specters was available in a public update yet. Oops.

specters Digital AND Physical Editions are now available for pre-order!

(Also while supplies last, for the physical edition...)

The physical copy production of "specters" was a stretch goal that we met just before the campaign ended. It was incredible, and I'm still somewhat overwhelmed. You guys rock. It hasn't been manufactured yet- we're aiming for shipping and distribution by late June at the latest- but there is a release date set in stone for the digital edition: May 29, 2020.

Unlike the other three albums in the collection, "specters" will be packaged in a jewel-case instead of a digipak, which gives it some additional individuality in the set. It will still come with a dust cover, a sixteen page booklet, and a merch set, all with visuals by rice. 

If perhaps, you already knew about the digital version being available, but are being shocked by this revelation because you REALLY wanted the physical version and didn't know until now... no worries! Just send me an email ([email protected]) and I'll get you squared away.

If you're a backer, you REALLY, REALLY should wander over to this Backers-only project update for more information on how you can shape the final merch set to be included with the album. 

Okay, I've talked a LOT in this post. If you all have any questions or concerns, feel free to drop a line at my email (above) or leave a message, comment, tweet, whatever else you can think of. If you're a backer, and you haven't received your package yet, please get in touch with Aki ([email protected]) and she will help you get settled.

With all of that said.... until next update, everyone! Best regards, and stay safe out there!

-Lupin (nostraightanswer)

"specters" update + physical merch poll
almost 6 years ago – Sat, Apr 25, 2020 at 07:44:16 PM

This post is for backers only. Please visit Kickstarter.com and log in to read.

Updates regarding Covid
almost 6 years ago – Tue, Apr 14, 2020 at 05:15:21 PM

Hello darlings, EmpathP here. 

I hope you are all doing well. I know times are turbulent right now and we're all feeling it. But I have some good news for you all which I hope will boost your spirits. 

That good news is, Lupin has completed composing for Specters! The music for the album is all complete, and if you've been following his youtube channel, you will have seen him posting the singles for the album. I you haven't seen them yet, I will incorporate the videos all here. 

I've asked Lupin to make an update himself, so he will hopefully be making a post on his end very soon! 

Now, with this good news comes some serious/practical news. With Covid being such a major health concern at present, there may be a possible delay getting Specters mailed out by the end of May as we'd previously planned. The Manufacturer who makes our Keychains is currently shut down due to the virus (but thankfully they WILL be reopening come the end of this month). The CD/DVD manufacturer we've used is still open for taking orders, but again, it's possible that there may be delays in their productions. 

I just wanted to let you all know the status of things on our end. It's basically the same all around the board for other production companies as well. There are alternatives of course (ordering from Chinese manufactures, ect.) but those alternatives would take longer to arrive in the US during quarantine. 

So, where does that leave us at present? Well, we're waiting on the last bits of artwork for Specter's CD, and once it's done, the first thing we'll do is put in our order at the manufacturer and see what the production times are. If everything seems like it'll be ready in time, then there shouldn't be anything major for us to worry about. Granted, next will be the T-shirts, keychains, and stickers. The stickers and keychains will all come from the same manufacturer, so as long as their business gets up and running again by the end of the month as they stipulated, we should still be A-OK. The T-shirt company we ordered from doesn't seem to have stopped production at all, so that should be fine too. 

At present, I'm going to say optimistically that if everything gets up and running again by the beginning of May, we should be in good hands. But if not, we WILL have to delay the release of the physical edition mail-outs until June. 

I promise to keep you guys posted on that end of things, and I'll be sure to have Lupin give you all some updates too. 

What the world is currently going through is unprecedented. None of us ever expected something like this to happen. And with any fortune, we'll hopefully never have to undertake another such health ordeal again in our lifetimes.

I want you all to stay safe, stay inside if you are able, and look after those you love to the best of your abilities. And we'll do our very best to get the last of these pre-orders finished.

One last thing though before I share the new music with you: If for whatever reason you have not gotten your pre-orders for 715, Ghosts of Artificial Trees, or SYNTECH yet, please email me ASAP at: [email protected] and we'll get you squared up right away.

Now, on to the Specters previews! Please enjoy, and please look forward to the upcoming album!

1.) Wishing Well

2.) Last Words

3.) Voicemail

For anyone who hasn't gotten their pledge yet (not including the Specters pre-orders)
almost 6 years ago – Mon, Mar 09, 2020 at 05:33:58 PM

Hello darlings, EmpathP here.

I wanted to make a little update for any of you who may not have received your pledge yet (not including those who pre-ordered JUST specters, or are still waiting on their specters pre-order)

If for whatever reason, you haven't gotten your pledge (lost package, unfulfilled survey, goblin interference, ect.), please send me an email at: [email protected]

This way I can get you all squared away. Because at present, the only packages I haven't sent out yet should be for ppl who either didn't fill out their survey. Don't hesitate to email me if you're still missing things, as I can get your goodies into the mail to you this week. 

Thanks darlings!