Faces in the crowd: WNC crowdfunding initiatives

The Resonant Rogues play at New Mountain on Sunday, Dec. 14 and Cork & Keg on Friday, Jan. 2. Photo of the Resonant Rogues from their website

Crowdfunding platforms make it possible for individuals and organizations of any size to harness social networks and raise start-up capital for projects that might otherwise fail due to lack of funding. Each week, Xpress highlights notable Western North Carolina crowdsourcing initiatives that may inspire readers to become new faces in the crowd.

RESONANT ROGUES STUDIO ALBUM

“We are thrilled to be recording our old-fashioned originals at Echo Mountain Studios this winter,” reads the Resonant Rogues’ Kickstarter page. “Help us make this dream a reality!” Creating a full-length original studio album would be a milestone for the Gypsy-jazz locals, who spent the last year and a half — the duration of their bandhood — touring Asheville and beyond. In case you missed all 200 of those shows, swing by New Mountain on Sunday, Dec. 14, at 8 p.m., to see the Resonant Rogues share the stage with Hank West & the Smokin’ Hots for a Kickstarter Countdown. The band aims to raise $7,500 by Sunday, Dec. 21, to record its next album.

LOOK HOMEWARD DELI

While many will be counting down to the ball drop this new year’s eve, Lesley and Jack Groetsche will be counting down to official deli ownership. The couple’s successful managerial take-over of health-food market Livi’s Pantry earlier this year led to a full-fledged ownership offer, which takes effect on Jan. 1. “We love food and we love people, so the deli became our immediate passion,” reads the couple’s campaign page. The Groetsches aim to raise $6,500 by Sunday, Dec. 21, to put a down payment on equipment, upgrade a refrigeration unit, cover utilities and licensing fees and generally ensure a smooth transition when Livi’s emerges in the new year as Look Homeward Deli.

Photo of Lesley and Jack Groetsch from the Look Homeward Deli campaign page
Photo of Lesley and Jack Groetsch from the Look Homeward Deli campaign page

CIRCLE A BRAND CLOTHING EXPANSION

Russel Shurtz has been making men’s work wear and outdoor gear in Asheville for three years now. His Circle A Brand clothing and accessories are currently hand crafted using vintage equipment and manufacturing techniques, but the bespoke garment designer wants to implement more efficient practices into his workmanship before launching his first ready-made clothing collection. Shurtz aims to raise $19,000 by Sunday, Dec. 21, to grade patterns, purchase material, upgrade several pieces of finicky equipment and move into a larger studio space.

AUDIO BRIDGES

“The overall idea of the project is that I will write and record an original instrumental song every week for a year,” says David Boettcher, describing his new concept for a music subscription service. “With all the chaos and stress that surrounds us, it’s nice just to listen to some calm music and take the time to let go of stress.” Boettcher envisions each of these comforting songs, or Audio Bridges, as a counter to the increasing hostility he observes online. Everyday stresses can also be mitigated through the “safe harbor” of music, according to the artist. Boettcher aims to raise $6,000 by Monday, Dec. 22 to launch his project.

Send your crowdsourcing campaign news to kmcreynolds@mountainx.com. A limited number of campaigns will be highlighted each week, at Xpress’ discretion. Campaigns must be locally based and should represent a current project with an achievable goal. Conditions are subject to change.

Read about more WNC campaigns here.

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About Kat McReynolds
Kat studied entrepreneurship and music business at the University of Miami and earned her MBA at Appalachian State University. Follow me @katmAVL

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