Because (Instrumental)

Les Donkees debut album, Brooklyn Bastards, was recorded in Louie's Brooklyn studio. After a few rehearsals, the band came up with basic arrangements. We recorded the basic skeletons of all the songs live.

Then the vocals, horns, guitars, and keyboards were arranged further and recorded over the basic drum and bass tracks. Mixing began soon after with Anne Pope at the controls. It took about two years.

Original artwork was created by the brilliant Brooklyn artist Erica Harris. http://www.ericaharris.org
Erica's original cover art Erica's original cover art

Keka Marzagao, assisted by Anne Pope, shot the Kickstarter video and Mary Rhymer animated and edited it.

Mastering was done by Alan Douches of West Westside Music and then the whole thing was sent off for replication (making the CDs and printing).

The actual cost of this project is over $6,000. Your contributions will help pay for: Artwork, Mixing, Mastering, CD Replication and shipping. Even if we have made our goal, please help us cover the actual cost.

Go ahead now, every little bit helps!

Here's a song from the CD
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Who's in Les Donkees?

Canelle Boughton (sax): The VA native moved to the Big Apple shortly after college due to her love of jazz. Since then, her love has grown to include various other art forms and styles, including the theater and jamming with Les Donkees.

Travis Calvert (sax): Originally from FLA and NC, Travis is a Brooklyn-based saxophone player who enjoys rock and roll, rock climbing, and cocktails in rocks glasses.

Doug Fischer (trombone): Originally from Ft. Lauderdale, FL, Doug Fischer is a deeply soulful individual just trying to make it in this world.

Louie Fleck (guitar, vocals, producer): The NYC native escaped Manhattan sadness to find Brooklyn madness. Now every moment of goodness and badness is filled with gladness.

Max Letaconnoux (bass, ukulele): Max met Louie and the gang as in intern at BAM in the spring of 2012. After attending several of Louie's popular Friday night reggae jam sessions, Max was asked by Louie to join his new group, Les Donkees. Max is currently writing music for commercials and short films in New York City.

Granville Mullings, Jr. (drums, percussion): Granville is from Mt. Vernon, NY and is a man of few words. In his free time... what free time?!

Andrew Van Dusen (guitar): Andrew grew up in Kentucky on Soul Train, Hee-Haw! and Don Kirshner's Rock Concert. He is a veteran of Midwestern punk bands and NYC avant garde theater.

Robert Wood (organ, banjo, melodica): Robert grew up in Texas, where horses outnumber donkeys by a considerable margin. He enjoys crossing streets at a brisk pace, tuna, and thinking up really stupid things to make with origami.
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This group came together because we were all in the same place at right time. With a band comprised of 8 members, there are often 8 different opinions about how any particular aspect of recording should be done. On my previous projects, I would make most of the decisions about song choice, tempo, and arrangement. In this project, I made a concerted effort to go with the band members opinions on almost every part. This resulted in better arrangements and performances than I could ever imagine! The people in this group came up with so many great ideas and we had so much fun while we were in the middle of it. We can't wait for you to hear the album and judge for yourself! (Louie)