Sylvania Lark. Is our children learning?
Published by the Heavy Duty Press, St. Francis, Wisconsin, 2004, edition of 500.
07/21/07 update
Still not one blasted sale. Goes to show how often people buy cds by no-name bands that just aren't all that great. Best suggestion I got was to start playing out in the cafe here in Viroqua and I might sell one or two if I did that, but hey...who's got the time for that? I'll stick behind my feeling that our recording of Fever is really REALLY novel, and very good, and would be a great addition to an excellent independent film soundtrack but I'll probably get hit by lightening before that happens.
One thing that might convince the potential buyer/collecter of this disc to purchase it is a visit to the web site of The Heavy Duty Press. That just might convince you that this disc is indeed collectable and worth every penny of the $25 we're asking for it. Here's the link: http://www.heavydutypress.com
02/07/06 update
Still haven't sold a thing. Let's make it $2000 for the whole works. That oughta do it. I am so sick of seeing these things laying around my basement. The truth is, we packaged and signed about 250, of which I probably still have about 225. At that price, it brings your cost per disc way back down to $10 each, plus and additional 25 or so copies absolutely free. Talk to me.
Glenn of Sylvania Lark and This Robot Life is releasing a new solo project under the name The Moon is Down. The name of the recording is Guillatine. It completely kicks ass. He's having it mastered by some of those cool Canadians up there eh so hopefully that'll be available soon.
Lappen, Beth, and Kev have reported a few jams in his basement, and me, Mike, I've been laying low, monthly jams with the Freaks of Nature, and waiting for the arrival of a new baby. Like any day now.
10/05/05 update
After offering this cd for just $10 for about 6 months with not one stinking sale, I have decided that there is no good reason to continue giving such a deal through this outlet, and have raised the price back to the same $25 that collectors of fine press books are paying (or not paying). I'm sure that will help sales tremendously.
Mike is jamming with the legendary Kickapoojian band Freaks of Nature. Their next show is Halloween weekend, Saturday, October 29, 8 pm, all ages, at the Gays Mills Community Center. $5.
About the Project
Full length debut CD from Sylvania Lark, a collaborative art project. A collection of eight songs, four are originals by Sylvania Lark. Highlights inclue "Enterprise," inspired by a woodpecker and a precious new life; the single, "In the Garden," a melancholic interpretaion of Emily Dickinson's poetry; "The Juncos," a poppy metaphor for nurturing youth, and "Fever," an acoustically bombastic version of Peggy Lee's sensual classic.
The classy insert adds to the value of this package. Eight pages of Linotype-set Century Schoolbook, printed on European Hemp paper, are neatly hand-stitched within a hand-set, asymmetrically designed, two-color-cover, printed with heavy impression on 300 gsm Hahnemuhle Copperplate paper. The tray card combines Linotype and hand-set type, is letterpress printed with a kiss, using two colors on Classic Crest Super Smooth paper. All encased in a standard CD jewel case, along with a 38 minute recording of music by Sylvania Lark. Privately recorded and produced, signed & numbered limited edition.
Band Members to date:
Kevin Koch: drums, voice, miscellaneous noises
Mike Koppa: guitar, voice, keyboard
Glenn Maloney: bass guitar
Beth Bartos: voice
Katrina Koppa: voice
Vicki Koppa: keyboard
Mike Lappen: guitar, saxophone
Gayle Adornato Schmidt: flute
Dave Schrank: percussion
John Szatkowski: electric piano
Dan S. Wang: guitar
And a review from OnMilwaukee.com...
http://www.onmilwaukee.com/music/articles/sylvania.html
A note about the future of Sylvania Lark...
Mike Koppa has moved across the state to live and work in Vernon County. Kevin, Glenn, and Mike are putting the final touches on a follow-up ep, California. The ep includes an exciting rendition of The Mamas and The Papas' California Dreamin' for everyone to enjoy.
Future collaborations among the three and special friends are inevitable and improbable all at the same time.
Glenn's new band, The Moon is Down, rules.
Kevin is waiting for Lappen to build a studio in his home, for the resurrection of the Mello-Crisp tradition. I guess so is Lappen.
Mike enjoys jamming with the Freaks of Nature once in a while over in the hollow. It's a blessing.
Read more...