Electric Smoke..... the final solo album project

by Mike Ross in Brighton, Brighton and Hove, United Kingdom

We did it
On 28th May 2024 we successfully raised £5,602 with 84 supporters in 28 days

Raising funds to cover the recording, mixing and manufacture of my final solo album.

by Mike Ross in Brighton, Brighton and Hove, United Kingdom

 New stretch target


Well folks, it's been real.  When I climbed back onto the music making horse in 2015 to record my 'Jenny's Place' album (Spindrift was recorded in 2008/9 then shelved for 5 years or so) the landscape was optimistic to say the least.  

Since 2014 I've released six albums of 'new' music (Spindrift, Jenny's Place, The Clovis Limit Pt's 1 & 2, Peach Jam and Third Eye Open) plus two albums of re-issued/re-recorded music from the late 90's (Taller Than and Origin Story).  

Not to mention my two records with RHR (Mahogany Drift & Hotel Toledo). 

I've toured all over the world playing music from these records to thousands of fans and tracks from these records have racked up millions of streams.  

I've been prolific and dedicated, and have had some good results, but it's time to change the energy.  

The MRB has been slogging on the road for 10 years in a row and it feels like time to set that moniker down and do something new.  

I've got some plans for 2025 in motion and will disclose more in the fullness of time.

Before I do that though, I want to put  one final record of original songs out under my own name. 

I've got a massive pile of demo's, out of which I've drawn a total of 20 songs, and it's my intention to record these and release them as a double album set.  

It'll ONLY EVER be available as a double vinyl disc set (limited to 100 pieces worldwide) with a gatefold sleeve and will come complete with a CD version plus a download code for a digital version.  

There's no CD only option and the album will never be released on streaming services in this format.

20 songs, all written by me.

No extras, no outtakes or special features.  

No radio edits or alternate versions.

Just 20 classic Mike Ross songs taking you all (as ever) on a journey from uplifting Americana to soulful southern rock and beyond.

This is where you come in.  

You guys have been amazing in supporting my previous crowdfunder projects and I'm hoping I can count on you one more time to move this record from concept to reality. 

The finances are structured in such a way that only 100 pre-orders of the physical vinyl/CD package will allow us to reach the target.  As always though, I've added some special rewards such as stage wear, personalised lyric sheets etc. etc.  

Please take a wander through the rewards page and see what takes your fancy.

To whet your appetite, anyone pledging will get an exclusive download of one of the demo's for the project, a brand new song entitled 'Magic Bullet' which will gives a rich flavour of the song quality you can expect on the finished article.  

Hand on heart, I've not written a better set of songs in my career and it'll be a privilege to produce this record for you all.

Peace out ☮️

M x

Rewards

This project offers rewards in return for your donation. Please select a reward below.

£55 or more

46 of 100 claimed

Electric Smoke Double album, CD & Download package

20 track double vinyl album in gatefold sleeve with CD and download code for digital version.

£5 or more

4 of 25 claimed

MRB NASA Meatball Trucker Cap

black one size fits all cap. Please don't order alone, choose in conjunction with one of the other physical rewards otherwise the shipping cost will wipe out the profit, innit.

£10 or more

10 of 25 claimed

Third Eye Open T-shirt

Black with front and back print.

£20 or more

10 of 20 claimed

Electric Smoke handwritten lyric sheet

A lyric sheet handwritten by Mike. Limited to 20 pieces, one for each song on the album, and will include a brief handwritten story detailing Mike's special connection to each of the songs. To show appreciation of the support the names of any pledgers selecting this reward will be added to the liner notes for the CD version of the album.

£20 or more

Electric Smoke digital album

Download only, all 20 tracks

£20 or more

Electric Smoke listening party pass

Digital entry ticket for the worldwide premiere of all 20 tracks from the new album, to be held at a secret boutique south coast UK location in mid September. An approximately two hour long event hosted by Mike, who will preface each song by providing anecdotal information on inspiration, instrumentation and much more.

£35 or more

Electric Smoke T Shirt

Burgundy or Black T shirt with Chris Sick Moore designed album artwork print. Available in sizes S -XXL, pledgers will be contacted to arrange size once the campaign ends!

£40 or more

1 of 100 claimed

Mike Ross 3 vinyl bundle

one each of Third Eye Open Peach Jam The Clovis Limit Pt.1

£50 or more

0 of 100 claimed

Mike Ross 7 CD bundle

One each of Third Eye Open, Origin Story, The Clovis Limit Pt.2, The Clovis Limit Pt.1, Jenny's Place, Spindrift, Taller Than Lay It Bare

£50 or more

Online guitar lesson

45 minute, 1-1 session with Mike, he’ll show you his best licks, riffs and share tricks and secrets behind his unique guitar style.

£150 or more

1 of 10 claimed

Solo live show

A full 1 1/2 hour solo performance, delivered either online via Zoom or in-person if within 150 mile radius of Brighton & Hove (or further if you're willing to pay travel expenses). You get to choose up to 8 of my songs for the set.

£50 or more

1 of 1 claimed

Mojo Risin' custom stitched bowling shirt

custom made, black and white bowling shirt worn onstage by Mike throughout 2023

£100 or more

1 of 1 claimed

MRB aluminium stencilled pedalboard flightcase

large (approx 1.5m x 1m x 40cm) silver aluminium flight case stencilled with MRB logo and used to store and transport Mike's guitar pedalboard.

£150 or more

1 of 1 claimed

Hand painted Third Eye Open bass drum head

22" drum skin, hand painted by Mike (and his son Milo) and signed by Mike & Darren Lee

£150 or more

1 of 1 claimed

MRB ‘Saltire of Satire’ flag backdrop/banner

Another Chris ‘Sick’ Moore design, this backdrop has seen lots of use on stages all over Europe. Being of Scottish descent and possessing a wry & somewhat sarcastic sense of humour, Mike commissioned a design (combining elements of the original Saltire flag with some more ‘out there’ imagery) in response to the whingey racists of the deep US south who, in his mind, stole the saltire image & use it to celebrate crimes against humanity. 2.45x1.25m

£350 or more

1 of 1 claimed

Cherry Red double cut Les Paul Junior guitar

replica 1958 style double cutaway Les Paul in cherry red with Tortoiseshell pick guard and single P-90 pickup. Used a lot on the road in 2024 in open E tuning for tracks like Leviathan, Ghost Hound Rider, Ugly Brain and more. Left handed!

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