We're still collecting donations
On the 7th January 2021 we'd raised £5,704 with 215 supporters in 28 days. But as every pound matters, we're continuing to collect donations from supporters.
John-Luke Roberts - It Is Better: Comedy Vinyl
by Monkey Barrel Records in Edinburgh, Scotland, United Kingdom
Total raised £5,787
raised so far218
supportersIt Is Better is a brand new show by John-Luke Roberts, made to be listened to.
by Monkey Barrel Records in Edinburgh, Scotland, United Kingdom
New stretch target
This Project has ended, but you can pre-order the record, and buy some of our other shows here.
I’ve been reading some books on buddhism, and about learning to welcome the moment, and just be with difficult things that pop up, like fear and dread and sadness. It really appeals to me, and I’ll get around to it one day soon I’m sure. In the meantime, I’m ignoring the abyss by drawing tiny, tiny posters for different comedy clubs that don’t exist: clubs like “The Laff Caff” and “Laugs with an ‘H!’” and “Tee-Hee! Comedy on a Golf Course.” I’ve drawn about 60 posters so far. I want to build one tiny comedy club for each poster.
Sadly, I don’t have the time or resources to build one tiny comedy club for each poster. So, instead, I thought I would send out one of the hand-drawn comedy club posters with every vinyl bundle ordered as part of this initial project. So, I will. IF we get to £5000. I believe this is called A Stretch Goal.
John-Luke Roberts
Our initial target of £2,500 was just enough required to get the records manufactured, but not much else. Our stretch goal will help us cover the costs of all the people who have contributed to this - from sleeve design to musical composition; photography to sound editing. It's been a huge journey to get this far, and we're so grateful for all the support we've had in bringing this together. Thank you.
Monkey Barrel Records
This Project has ended, but you can pre-order the record, and buy some of our other shows here.
*Shipping: We're having an issue where the additional postage donation can only be added in whole numbers. Sorry, not something we anticipated. Please add an additional donation of £4 for UK shipping manually alongside the price of the original pledge.
Total price for the UK of £23 for 'Noises Via Beautiful Artefact', £33 for 'Noises And Pictures Bundle', £43 for 'Terrible Old Crone Bundle' and £63 for 'From the Artist’s Studio Bundle'.
See the details about International Shipping at the bottom of the page. Thank you.*
It Is Better Sneak Peek!!
Exclusive snippet from John-Luke Roberts' upcoming comedy record "It Is Better." Music by John Chambers, album art by Natasha Pszenicki. Crowdfunder closes Jan 7th!
John-Luke Roberts - It Is Better: Comedy Vinyl
It Is Better is a brand new show by John-Luke Roberts, with music by John Chambers. It’s been created specifically to be listened to - ideally in the evening, in a comfortable chair, by a warm fire, with a nice drink, while long-thought extinct beasts rampage through the streets outside.
Brought to you by the team behind the award winning Monkey Barrel Comedy, Monkey Barrel Records is the new home of exclusive comedy vinyl records, showcasing some of the best shows from the Edinburgh Festival Fringe and beyond. “It is Better” is the fourth release from Monkey Barrel Records, and the first to be conceived, written, recorded and scored specifically for vinyl.
Plans to record a live LP were scuppered by the pandemic. John-Luke says “I realised my favourite comedy records didn’t have an audience. So I sat down thinking of albums like Sir Henry at Rawlinson End and Ivor Cutler’s Dandruff and grew more and more excited at the prospect. Without an audience, a comedy record can achieve a startling intimacy.”
To help achieve this Roberts teamed up with John Chambers, a composer whose work in theatre includes collaborations with Steven Berkoff (Biblical Tales and Oedipus) and John Cleese (Bang Bang), and who scored BBC Drama on 3’s critically acclaimed new version of The Cherry Orchard.
The album artwork is by photographer Natasha Pszenicki, featuring a doll’s house scale comedy club built by Roberts during lockdown. He says “they closed the comedy clubs and the theatres, so I built one as a not-entirely-successful coping mechanism.”
You pledge and support will hopefully enable us to reach our target and get these albums produced in the new year. Estimated delivery date is end of March 2021. Thank you!
Biogs
John-Luke Roberts is a comedian and writer, who has been called “a one-man finger-in-the-dyke against the blandification of comedy” by The Guardian. He is a fringe favourite in Edinburgh, who’s performed sold out runs of acclaimed, peculiar solo shows, and is the co-founder of the Alternative Comedy Memorial Society. “It Is Better” is his ninth comedy hour.
★★★★★ "Freewheeling escapism...a joy" Fest Magazine
★★★★ "A hit" The Times
★★★★ "Impeccably choreographed, giddily inventive, turbo-charged hour" The Telegraph
★★★★ "Killer gags...glorious idiocy" The Guardian
Composer John Chambers has been making a variety of noises for over 15 years. His work in theatre includes collaborations with Steven Berkoff (Biblical Tales and Oedipus) and John Cleese (Bang Bang). He scored BBC Drama on 3’s critically acclaimed new version of The Cherry Orchard. Whilst a student at Trinity College of Music, he had to write a fanfare for a staircase, and the Duke of Kent told him it “really did sound like a fanfare”, and he ought to know. His production music for TV has been heard faintly in the background of such shows as Countryfile, Blue Peter, and AMC’s Soulmates.
Natasha Pszenicki's photographic experience comes from a rich editorial cauldron, mixing portraiture, still life and fashion on a daily basis across various publications, formats and platforms. But what she loves most is surreal shoots with John Luke Roberts.
Monkey Barrel Comedy is Edinburgh's best rated Comedy Club. #1 of 45 Concerts & Shows on TripAdvisor, Scotland’s Best Venue 2020 Chortle Awards and 3 time Scottish Comedy Award winner. We are owner managed, independent and since 2017 (usually!) open 7 days a week in Edinburgh's Old Town.
Track Listing
Postcards
Three of the Six photos by Natasha Pszenicki, signed by John-Luke Roberts.
Woodcut
An original woodcut print by John-Luke Roberts, from a limited edition of 22.
Shipping
Please remember to select a "reward option" for your shipping area and include the extra required amount as an Additional donation before finalising your order. Thank you.
UK Shipping: Please add £4.00 donation
European Shipping: Please add £10 donation
US Shipping: Please add £20 donation
Worldwide Shipping: Please add £17 donation
Rewards
This project offered rewards
£9 or more
Noises Via Wires
The album in digital download form, available on the day of release.
£19 or more
Noises Via Beautiful Artefact
The album on 12" brick red vinyl in a gatefold sleeve, with digital download. Please select from "Reward options" for postage cost.
£29 or more
Noises And Pictures Bundle
The album on 12" brick red vinyl in a gatefold sleeve, with digital download, and six photos by Natasha Pszenicki, signed by John-Luke Roberts. Please select from "Reward options" for postage cost.
£39 or more
Terrible Old Crone Bundle
The album on 12" brick red vinyl in a gatefold sleeve, with digital download, six photos by Natasha Pszenicki, signed by John-Luke Roberts, and a one-of-a-kind curse from a terrible old crone, written on old-looking paper and sealed with wax with your name written ominously on the outside. Please select from "Reward options" for postage cost.
£59 or more
From the Artist’s Studio Bundle
The album on 12" brick red vinyl in a gatefold sleeve, with digital download, six photos by Natasha Pszenicki, signed by John-Luke Roberts, and an original woodcut print by John-Luke Roberts, (one of a limited edition of 22). Please select from "Reward options" for postage cost.