Rock The Smashing Pumpkins - Teargarden by Kaleidyscope

[Tim Simmons]

I'm happy to finally announce the plans for the new Smashing Pumpkins album.

Recording began yesterday, September 15th, 2009 on the new record which will be entitled 'Teargarden by Kaleidyscope'. The album will feature 44 songs, 4 of which are now being recorded. My desire is to release a song at a time beginning around Halloween of this year, with each new release coming shortly after until all 44 are out. Each song will be made available absolutely for free, to anyone anywhere. There will be no strings attached. Free will mean free, which means you won't have to sign up for anything, give an email address, or jump through a hoop. You will be able to go and take the song or songs as you wish, as many times as you wish.

We will however sell highly limited edition EP's (of 4 songs each times 11), and details of how those EP's will be made available are still being worked out. Because the songs themselves will be free, the EP's will be more like collectors items for the discerning fan who will want the art itself, along with the highest possible audio quality available. The EP's will be more like mini-box sets rather than your normal cd single. We may also offer other variations for sale, say for example a digital single with a demo version of a song. The commitment that is most important is the one I'm making to you: that the music of 'Teargarden by Kaleidyscope' will be available for free to everyone. All 44 songs: free for ALL.

When the entire album is finished, it will be compiled into a deluxe box set which will also be made available for sale. Those who have bought the EP's need not worry, as the box set will not be a recompilation of the limited edition pieces.

The story of the album is based on 'The Fool's Journey', as signified in the progress of the Tarot. It is my intention to approach this by breaking down the journey of our life here into four phases as made by these different characters; the Child, the Fool, the Skeptic, and the Mystic.

The music of 'Teargarden by Kaleidyscope' harkens back to the original psychedelic roots of The Smashing Pumpkins: atmospheric, melodic, heavy, and pretty.

I already have 53 songs written for the record, so I am quite confident that I already have much of the material that I would need to undertake such an extensive project. I am very committed to seeing this album through to its completion and very, very excited about the prospect of delivering new Smashing Pumpkins music to you in a unique and exciting way.

BC

[Tim Simmons]

I'll listen because its free. The part about psychedelic roots of SP sounds great. The Tarot shit does not.

[lukin]

Originally Posted by Tim Simmons

I'll listen because its free. The part about psychedelic roots of SP sounds great. The Tarot shit does not.

Exactly what you said.

[j-ho]

I'm sceptical, although being a huge pumpkins fan for years I am always excited about what Billy has to put out. Even though for the last decade I have been let down

[Tim Simmons]

I think he knows he has alot to prove.

There has to be a few gems in 44 songs. Right?







Right?

[JackStark211]

pee pee poo poo

[FrigidRoses]

Originally Posted by Tim Simmons

I think he knows he has alot to prove.

There has to be a few gems in 44 songs. Right?







Right?

Some of the new songs have been pretty solid. Should be decent at least.

[JackStark211]

I just don't know about this. Why does he not just go solo?

[Tim Simmons]

Because the last time he did, it was an electronic abortion.

[JackStark211]

True. I guess I mean he should jsut do an acoustic solo album. He really shines when he pulls that off.

[lukin]

Billy just posted an update on this on the SP site:

A little update then from inside the bubble here at Recording Central...

Currently we are in the process of completing the 3rd mix (of 4 total) of what will be the first ep for Teargarden by Kaleidyscope. Yay! So happy to almost be done. Unfortunately things went a little longer than expected due to some tech difficulties, such as the simultaneous blowing up of 2 (count 'em) tape machines at once. Add in your ghosts, your ground hums and wizards welts and everything seems to take forever. Luckily the vocals came as easy as any as I have ever done so I am happy to report I am in fine voice and in clear mind, albeit slightly worse for wear.

I'm feeling really relaxed about these songs. It is the first time in a long time that I don't feel any pressure other than to just do my best. I trust the songs, I trust my fans, and I trust life to unfold as it needs to. It is a good feeling.

The music to my ears is playful, serious, grandiose, and humble at the same time. Reading that back it appears to be a fairly accurate portrayal of me as a person. Might be a good thing, might be bad for business.

I know many have asked for a first release date. I can tell you that the ep's themselves will most likely not be available till the new year, January hopefully. The first song to be released however is just right around the corner. I promise that. We can't yet set a date until I actually finish here. But you can do the math; once I've finished there really is nothing stopping me from putting out the first song other than how we are going to make it readily available for anyone who wants it. After that, the idea would be that every 2 to 4 weeks another new song would come out. I like the idea that there will be a fresh piece of SP music on the streets at least once a month for the next 40 months. It is much more in line with the way we are all living lately, which is moving at light speed with little apology for anything involving our insatiable curiosity. I cannot at all argue with that.

This bit made me feel quite good about it:

I'm feeling really relaxed about these songs. It is the first time in a long time that I don't feel any pressure other than to just do my best. I trust the songs, I trust my fans, and I trust life to unfold as it needs to. It is a good feeling.

The music to my ears is playful, serious, grandiose, and humble at the same time. Reading that back it appears to be a fairly accurate portrayal of me as a person. Might be a good thing, might be bad for business.

He seems to be in quite a good place right now. I think he is similar to our Ryan in a lot of ways (that he has made some amazing music, has a tendency to act like a dick a lot of the time).

[Tim Simmons]

He should have done this project like Ash is doing their A-Z singles package. Recorded it first, then start releasing. Because then you run into delays and the entitled fans start bitching.

[lukin]

Originally Posted by Tim Simmons

He should have done this project like Ash is doing their A-Z singles package. Recorded it first, then start releasing. Because then you run into delays and the entitled fans start bitching.

Yeah, I tend to agree with you Tim. Or at least wait till there is a bit of material recorded so there is room for if he gets writers block or something. Like the time delay on live TV coverage so they can edit out the swearing and noodz.

[lukin]

The first song, "A Song For A Son" has been available for about a month now. Apparently the second song should be available in the next couple of weeks.

A Song For A Son can be downloaded for free here: http://smashingpumpkins.com.s3.amazo...-For-A-Son.mp3

[Corporal Brown]

I'm listening to this now. I'm not sold on the vocals, and the guitar solo reminds me of "November Rain" for some reason. But maybe...

[lukin]

Second track (Widow Wake My Mind) available for download now.

http://smashingpumpkins.com.s3.amazo...ke-My-Mind.mp3

[lukin]

Originally Posted by lukin

Second track (Widow Wake My Mind) available for download now.

http://smashingpumpkins.com.s3.amazo...ke-My-Mind.mp3

actually....

don't

it's bad