Musician to release album in memory of bandmate
A MUSICIAN has launched a crowdfunding campaign to raise money to release an album in memory of his bandmate.
Chris James, a member of Cardiff band The Lowfells, died suddenly in February from meningitis, aged 35.
Now, the band’s frontman Ali Price has launched a crowdfunder to raise the money needed to release the album the band were working on when Chris died.
And so successful has the crowdfunder been that it hit its £900 target after just 36 hours of the project going live.
“Since kind people are still donating we have set an additional £500 as a stretch target,” said Ali.
“This means if we reach £1,400 in total then we will be able to donate £500 to a charity of the James family’s choice.”
Ali formed The Lowfells in January 2016 in Cardiff with fellow musicians Chris James (keyboards) and Scott Guy (guitar).
“We shared the same musical influences and quickly became close friends which reignited my love of song writing,” said Ali. “As a threepiece, we started writing our own songs with the aim of recording demos that could be used to form a full band.
“On January 29 this year we finished recording our three-piece acoustic version of our album Marks and began playing the tracks live at open mic nights around Cardiff and Newport.
“Tragically Chris passed away on February 3, shortly after performing our fourth gig. His family and friends were devastated to learn that he had pneumococcal meningitis.”
“He had not been feeling well on the day of the gig and had mentioned earache,” said Ali.
“He really wanted to do the gig so we did our set for the folks in Barry and then stayed to watch the headline act.
“About halfway through I looked at Chris and he was very pale so I drove us back home to Splott. He said he just needed an early night. Chris just lived round the corner from me so we put the instruments in my house, shook hands and said goodnight to each other. He walked home and passed away that night. Chris died from a seizure caused by pneumococcal meningitis. We were absolutely devastated.”
Ali added: “The last thing he did was perform the album live. Just after he left my house he posted on social media to say that he loved the gig and thought the sound system was mega.
“We took some solace in the fact that at the time of his tragic death, Chris was loving life and enjoying music again. He was in a really good place and above all was very happy. He was in his second year at Cardiff University studying music, was doing really well and was performing in about three different bands. He loved them all and mentioned them frequently in his usual infectiously enthusiastic manner.”
Ali said that Chris, who was originally from Haverfordwest, was a much-loved character and an exceptional musical talent.
“He was fast becoming the go-toman for session playing keyboards. He loved music and really filled our lives with his enthusiasm and passion. He was also a great musical mentor, writing partner and he absolutely loved The Lowfells.”
In tribute to Chris, Ali and bandmate Scott wanted to raise £900 to see their recording professionally mastered and pressed onto 400 CDs for Chris’ family and friends.
“The album was the last recording Chris ever made and being able to provide the people who knew and loved him most with a finished CD would mean the world to all of us,” said Ali.
Ali said that within just 36 hours of setting up the page, they had raised more than £1,000.
He said: “We’re stunned by people’s generosity and simply can’t thank them enough for donating. Its a nice reflection of Chris’ popularity too which I’m sure has meant a great deal to his family.
“The £900 already raised will be spent mastering the album with Donal Whelan at Hafod Mastering Studio, and duplicating the album on to CD for Chris’ family and friends.
“Since we reached our target so quickly we added a ‘stretch target’ of £1,400 so if we reach this we will donate the extra £500 to a charity of Chris’ family’s choice. Fingers crossed we’ll get there and make him proud in doing so.”
You can donate to the fund in Chris’ memory at www.crowdfunder.co.uk/help-release-albumtribute-to-chris-james