It is the middle of the night and we are making our t-shirts for tomorrows show. From a distance, the process seems simple: measure, cut, print, iron...repeat. However, we have learned that these things are never as easy as they seem. :) But first, let's go back to the beginning...
When Shane and I first started playing and traveling together, it was clear it would take some time before we were riding motorcycles through hotel lobbies. On our first road trip together, I was curled up in the back seat of his car trying to sleep when he leaned around from the front and asked, "so how do you like life on the road?!"
Right from that first trip, we've been doing this on our own, without any outside financial support. When we added a full band, Shane's car was ditched for a mini van rental from Reagan airport and the four of us would pack ourselves, all of our equipment and our day bags into the small vehicle. Our weekend getaways took us all the way to South Carolina where we would turn around and drive back to Washington DC that night just because we all enjoyed spending so much time in the car together!
During these growth periods we were very fortunate to have friends that helped us out along the way. Sometimes we were able to crash at a friend’s house and have full reign on a family stocked fridge. Other times, friends offered skills and services to help design graphics and media. All of this help has been much appreciated and crucial to our success as a fully independent organization. In fact, it is because of the support of our friends that we have been able to record 2 full length records that have received play on MTV reality shows such as "The Hills" and "The Real World" as well as winning awards at such prestigious events as the Texas Songwriters Cruise (Best Overall Song). It is also because of this support that we were able to ditch the rental mini van and upgrade to our own 15 passenger band van, lovingly called "Bessie". Thanks to big Bess, our traveling circle has widened and our hard work has earned us the Washington Area Music Association 2008 Award for Best Area Rock Band. Our tenacity and road warrior mentality caught the attention of XM/Worldspace Satellite Radio where we soon found ourselves at their invite only live broadcast from Abbey Road Studios two years in a row. It was truly humbling to be in the same studio that helped the Beatles alter the course of music history and we couldn't help but feel a connection with them by understanding that we really do get by with a little help from our friends.
In fact, it was our friends, or more accurately, our Team that was making t-shirts when they realized that, being spin crazy from the whole process, some of the logo's had been ironed upside down! That's when we realized we need more help and more friends; a bigger team.
TeamTrance.Com is a way for us to reach out and graciously ask for financial support to help fund our upcoming release. We are taking Bessie down to Nashville to record with an industry established producer (Chris Grainger) and we are coming back with one hell of an EP. We hope this recording will capture where we've been and where we're going; all the sights, sounds, and smells of a band on the road and on their own. Any donation amount helps. In fact, you may have no idea how much fifteen bucks can change the life of an independent musician. For example, we're in North Carolina and all I have is three dollars and some change to get something to eat. We're at the gas station and I’m debating whether or not I eat a pack of peanuts and a bottle of water or if I should indulge in a banana and maybe a chocolate milk. All of a sudden Shane says, "Hey I’ve got ten bucks." Then Mindy says, “I have five dollars…” Bam! Instant upgrade to a Subway 12" chicken breast, diet coke, and change for a snack at the 7-11 on the way home. Anything you can offer is an enormous help to us and we have great incentives to also show our appreciation.
"So how do you like life on the road?!" I love it. We love it. TeamTrance makes it happen. You all have already given us the greatest gift possible - the opportunity to do what we love. Not only are we in pursuit of our passion but we are lucky enough to watch it grow and evolve. Our download page has free downloads of our demos and we'd love for you to enjoy those and pass them on to any one who might like to celebrate the music we've been making. Thanks for reading and hope to see you soon.
Shane, Thumbs, Mindy and Michele
I have never heard of Shane Hines and the Trance. Can you tell me a little bit about them?
Shane Hines writes the songs, sings and plays guitar, while Brian "Thumbs" Keating bounces around and plays the notes that go "boom, boom, boom." Sometimes we are an acoustic duo and other times, a full band. The guys we have playing with us are great friends and super accomplished players. It also helps that they sort of laugh at our jokes.
Shane and Thumbs are based out of the Washington DC area and have traveled and played everywhere from the Viper Room and Hard Rock in LA to Abbey Road Studios in London. There are plenty of great stories that are much better in person and perhaps after a cocktail or two. Catch us after a show and we'll be glad to share. The band has been played on local Washington DC stations 94.7 the Globe and DC101 as well as having received international airplay on XM Satellite Station Upop29. We have also been a guest house band for the Mitch Albom show and had two television appearances on the nationally broadcasted morning show, The Daily Buzz.
What kind of music is it?
This is always a hard one to answer. We feel good about calling it melodic rock. Shane's main go to band is the Beatles and Thumbs likes Motown, however we do not sound like Lennon recording in Detroit. We have covered a bunch of songs by artists like, Elvis Costello, BB King, Radiohead, Robert Cray, The Beatles, Elton John, and The Police.
On our download page we have songs that are free for you to enjoy. What kind of music do you think it is? We love to hear what listeners think. Visit our forum and join the discussion!
What are you going to do with the money and why are you looking to raise so much?
Very simply, we want to make undeniably amazing music. There are many parts to that process and the one that seems the easiest (paying for it) is incidentally the hardest. We need money to help pay the producer, engineer, outside musicians, and finalization of the music (mixing, mastering). And that is just the recording process.
In order to get a physical CD into your hands (which is still important to us) we must also add in the cost for design and replication. The next step would be to get the music heard. In order to have that happen, we want to tour and see you in person. This can be costly because to do this effectively we need help in the form of promotions and publicity. We take a bare bones approach yet we also take pride in knowing that we handle all our affairs with a professional attitude that will represent us in the best way possible. The trip to Nashville will be by car and our producer has kindly offered his floor for our housing. We spend money wisely and not freely. Each penny is put to efficient use and we have become experts in stretching the dollar.
Who is recording and producing the CD?
About a year ago, we met an amazing Nashville based producer named Chris Grainger. Chris began making records in the early 90’s while performing was his main focus. Between working on projects for the likes of Wilco, Switchfoot, Sixpence None the Richer, dcTalk, and Phil Keaggy, Chris also wrote, recorded, and toured nationally with his own group, SCHFViLKUS (Paras Recordings).
Chris continues his interest in performance by engineering live recordings for Jeremy Camp, Mercy Me, Nichole C. Mullen, and celebrated the 25th anniversary of the Dirty Dozen Brass Band by producing, engineering and mixing their live New Orleans Jazzfest record. (Rykodisc Japan)
In early 2003 Chris decided to focus on developing new artists. The first of which was Minneapolis band Dropping Daylight, whose demos created interest from several labels, and shortly after signed with Octone Records. Chris has since found similar success working with Luna Halo (American) and Ludo (Island).
Chris’ driving passion is artist development and loves to engineer, mix, produce, and write with young bands looking for great sounds, arrangements, and imaginative direction.
How do I get my stuff?
Oh, no worries about that, my friend. As soon as we get your contact info, you will be hearing from us!
Are you a charity?
Currently, we are certainly non-profit. ☺ But we are not a 501c3 and these donations are not tax deductible.
I only have $15, does that really help?
YES.
When will the CD be released?
We are shooting for mid-October, but all is dependent on the success of this fundraising project. Hint, hint…..donate now.
What happens when you reach your fundraising goal?
Wow, did not think about what we would do if we went OVER the goal!! We will thank all of you endlessly, call this project a success, and report all the amazing things we are doing.
What if I want to send a check?
Then we think you rock. Please email Michele and she will hook you up with the mailing details.
Do you support any charitable causes?
We do, and as often as possible. Our charity of choice is Donate Life America. These folks are incredible and are saving lives every day. Please be sure to check them out.
Where can we see the band live?
If we raise enough $$, we will come to you. ☺ In the mean time, you can visit the myspace page for the full schedule.
This is very cool! How did you put this website together?
With the BEST team ever. The design was done by a very creative guy named Stephen with Graphix Station. If you need graphic design, they are not only super talented, but such hard working folks, so feel free to contact them. The programming was done as a custom site for us by an amazing programmer named John. The guy is just a rock star, plain and simple.
I have a question that is not listed here.
Well, then we want to hear from you. Conact us at Michele@shanehines.com.
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