Written between 2019-2024, this sprawling debut album by the New Jersey-based artist Charybdis (Jason Caridi) is raising funds for its studio recording, session musicians, mixing/mastering, artwork, licensing, and distribution.

It is a massive effort, an album upwards of an hour long involving many instruments. Recording began in March, and this will be the first creative project that I am hesitant to self-fund. I can in theory self-fund it, but given my recent financial load, I would not be able to prioritize this project. It would be wonderful to be able to balance both my creative endeavors as well as my professional and financial world.

This album centers around Italian history, culture, and film, from the point of view of someone who only knows it through stories. My grandparents immigrated to this country towards the end of WWII, and my grandmother told me impressively detailed stories about that time. Therefore, themes involve of course immigration, but more broadly, feelings of being out-of-place in one's land, whether that's through travel or at a place one at a moment calls "home."

The largest influences of this album are neo/dark folk artists such as Rome and Blood & Sun, emotive doom metal such as 40 Watt Sun, and some more black metal-influenced experimentation. With of course, as always, a heaping spoonful of Leonard Cohen.

Please consider even the smallest of donations. All funds raised will go towards the production of this work in its phases. Processing fee for each transaction is 2.9% + $0.30.

All funders will receive free digital downloads of the album upon release. Given that I am not yet sure about what physical forms it will take, there are not yet any specific rewards. However, I will not forget your help and will certainly find ways to thank you and pay it forward! If I print CDs, for example, higher donations will certainly receive a copy.