We had the chance to talk with Ace Enders (The Early November, Ace Enders and a Million Different People, I Can Make A Mess Like Nobody’s Business) about his Kickstarter project. We also discussed his future goals, his new album, touring possibilities, and thoughts on the music industry. He was clearly very passionate about his new projects and his goals. You can support his Kickstarter project here.
Ace: I guess just the separation between the supporters and musicians. I remember starting at a young age sort of seeing how the community was and what not, how the music scene has sort of changed. I think it’s the idea that came from all that, and making it more of a community-type thing. Now with the Kickstarter funding, it’s going to be our new thing that we’re pushing and I’m really excited about the whole new program that we’re about to start, that we’re going to unveil this week. It’s going to be pretty interesting, I think.
LitS: So you’ve already reached $20,000. Did you expect this project to be this successful?
Ace: No, I certainly did not. I thought we were going to come right down to the end trying to reach our goal, but I definitely didn’t expect it. I’m really, really just blown away. Every time I see it my breath is taken away a little bit. I’m like wow; I can’t believe we’re actually going to have a good shot at making this work.
LitS: So far you have 28 backers to write a personal song to and 13 people’s living rooms to perform in, so I’m guessing it’s going to be a pretty busy year for you.
Ace: I know. It’s going to be pretty awesome. (Laughs)
LitS: So once the album is done, do you plan on making more with the same business model?
Ace: Yeah, I think with the business model there is a little bit of confusion. The business model isn’t, you know, asking your supporters to donate to Kickstarter. The business model has a little bit to do with that, but it’s about what happens after the record is already made. It brings your more hardcore supporters that you have to actually come together and work. That’s really what the project is, sort of cutting out that middle label or management or whatever. The people who love you the most are the people who actually run your career at that point. It’s going to be pretty cool. If it works, we might spread it out to other bands and help people get started all around the music spectrum with it.
LitS: So you’re just planning to get upcoming bands to join the business model?
Ace: Yeah, I mean, it’s going to have to be pretty specific. It doesn’t matter how experienced or inexperienced you are or how good or bad you are. The important thing we’re going to try to focus on is the musical integrity that comes with it, and what your band is actually looking to do and what you stand for morally and all that stuff, versus can you move “x” amount of units, but that’s not really what we’re going for. It’s more of, like I said earlier, bringing a community into it and making it more of a people-helping-people type thing, and making it a really grassroots, natural-type growth thing.
LitS: How far along are you with the new album?
Ace: The album we’re working on now will hopefully be out the beginning half of May. We’re just finishing all the writing and everything right now, so we’re going start with that really soon.
LitS: A lot has happened recently. What topics will you be covering on the new album?
Ace: All sorts of stuff. It’s pretty much going to touch everywhere, mostly with the same thing where. Now more than ever, the whole looking to yourself, where you’re at in life instead of projecting it to other people or looking/blaming other people type of thing. I’ve always liked to put that through my music, just recognizing that you control everything that happens.
LitS: Only a few months ago, you were planning to retire after finishing the new album. Were you ever expecting such a big reaction to your statement?
Ace: No, I was not. I certainly wasn’t. I do have to be honest, I’m really, really excited about it. It’s crazy. I’m really, really pumped. I can’t even explain it, you know. I’m really blown away by everything.
LitS: Are you planning on touring off of this album once it’s released?
Ace: Yes, we most definitely are. It’s not any crazy touring like we’ve been doing so far, it’s more of a smaller tour instead of 8 months a year, and we’re going to cut it down to a couple months a year. We’re going to make it more of a special thing.
LitS: Do you ever think about getting The Early November back together?
Ace: It’s something that runs through everybody’s mind once in a while, but it’s not anything. We know it works much better like this.
LitS: Where do you see the music industry in about five years time? What do you personally think needs to change?
Ace: I have to say if I could predict where the music industry will be in five years… I think that I’d probably be the only person. I’d say basically more of a community rather than people competing with each other.
LitS: Basically, you think that people need to start working together?
Ace: Yeah, I mean I think that people need to stop focusing on money aspects of it so much. I mean I know that’s important and everybody needs that to live, but not make it the driving force behind everything.
LitS: How does your family fit into all of this?
Ace: It is what it is. It’s a tough lifestyle, but it works.
LitS: Thanks very much for taking the time to talk with us. Any last words?
Ace: Thank you very much for the taking the time. This week we’re going to put up a whole new bunch of stuff up, so it should be exciting.
Connect