Charmaine Bingwa

Hi, I’m Charmaine. I’m a singer, songwriter, guitarist, pianist, drummer and generally a maker of music! What I’d truly like to do is make music that, as Beethoven would say, “speaks from the heart, to the heart”, and to make music that is new, distinct and groundbreaking.

I’ve always had a fascination with India – its rhythms, its ragas, its philosophies and its rhymes. So this project is an undertaking to mix what the musicians of India do with what I do: an ultimate musical fusion!

In true Scorpio fashion I always find it difficult asking for help, but I’m putting the call out there to make this dream come true – to make this EP! On the 17^th of December 2012 I’ll be embarking on a five-week musical expedition through India, Nepal, Tibet and Thailand, capturing their sounds and music, and making myself a sponge for their cultures. I’ll be travelling with a team of fabulously talented audio engineers, so I’m sure to get some great recordings!

I’m pouring every bit of cash I have into this and would love your financial support to turn the dream into a reality! We are super excited now, as we have a documentary director coming along to film the whole process!

For people who contribute $49 and above I’m offering a signed copy of the finished EP along with tickets to the private debut of the material in Sydney.

In addition, people who contribute $99 or more will receive a credit in the CD liner notes plus a handpicked souvenir from one of the many places I’ll be visiting during the journey.

In exchange for your amazing goodwill I’m going to take you with me, every step of the way… metaphorically! I’ll be starting a blog and updating it regularly before, during and after my travels so you can be part of the whole journey, from planning to release!

Thank you for helping to make this possible. Remember we’re not just making music, we’re going on a journey!

Love,

Charmaine

Check out more of my stuff here...

charmaine.com.au

facebook.com/charmainejbingwa

youtube.com/charmainetv

twitter.com/charmainebingwa

myspace.com/charmainebingwa

Itinerary

Beginning in Kathmandu I’ll be venturing through Tibet to Lhasa, making overnight stops in numerous Tibetan towns along the way including Nyalam, Gyantse, Shigatse and Old Tingri. I’m bound to encounter numerous street musicians, and I might even spend some time in a local studio in Lhasa. My contacts tell me that Tibetans love their music, and can often be heard singing while doing their daily chores.

After returning to Nepal, I’ll embark on a four-day three-night trek along a section of the ‘Indigenous People’s Trail’ – a short and sweet trek that visits three different villages with three different cultural groups, each with their own songs, music and instruments. This trek is rich in new sounds to play with!

From there, I’m crossing the Indian border and heading to Kolkata to work with some Bengali musicians, capturing the sounds of the sitar, sarod, tabla and phakawaj. After Kolkata I’m heading West to Jodhpur and Jaisalmer in wonderful Rajasthan. I’ll take a three-day two-night camel trek through the Thar Desert, sleeping under the stars on sand dunes and working with some of the local gypsy musicians by campfire. My journey through Rajasthan ends with an overnight stay in Bundu Khan’s village, a completely untouristed place where the adults are genuine and honest and the kids are wonderfully curious. Here I’ll have a chance to work with Bundu Khan’s excellent ensemble of Rajasthani musicians and their instruments.

After Rajasthan I’m heading to Mumbai – the home of Bollywood! Great studios and great musicians. It ought to be very exciting! After Mumbai I’m heading South to Chennai in Tamil Nadu, where my musical contacts are sure to provide excellent musicians and a whole swag of new sounds!

From Chennai I’m flying over the Bay of Bengal to Bangkok and then heading North to Mae Sot, Thailand, where I plan to work with some of the local hill tribe musicians, (including Burmese refugees if I’m lucky). After that, a stop in Bangladesh to use their studio facilities to start compiling before returning to Australia.

Budget

Flights - Aus to Kathmandu return: $2100

Flights - Bangkok to Chennai: $600

Flights - Chennai to Thailand: $600

Accommodation, transport, musician and venue fees: $3500

Studio time, Printing CD's, iTunes upload & master fee: $1000

TOTAL COST - $7800