The Set Up
Sometimes things just line up. They fall into place. A door opens where there wasn’t a door before. That’s exactly how Ben Caplan found Napkin Works. Late one Sunday evening Josh and I were working in the Studio. It was a normal evening by all accounts. We were discussing a local blue grass outfit we’re both pretty keen on. I went back to my desk and began working… but thinking local music. This is when the procrastination began…
The Flashback
I had been to one of Ben’s open mics years ago. (A Gentleman had taken me there on our first date. It was a lovely evening. Ben Caplan followed by Billy Bragg and late night beach combing.) At the time I was floored by his extraordinary talent, passion and stage presence. In fact, every time I strolled by his home for years I wondered how his career was progressing.
The Synchronicity
That fateful Sunday evening I found myself on Ben Caplan and the Casual Smokers FaceBook fan page. I liked him; so I “liked” them. Twelve hours later I received a Facebook message from Ben thanking me for being the 1000th person to “Like” his fan page. In pure FB fashion, Ben perved my page. He discovered I had started a new company, Napkin Works, and wanted to get together and talk about a website and promotion.
The Contest
So here we are, March 28, 2011. We have come up with a plan; The Contest. (Now don’t go there… this isn’t a Seinfeld kind of contest.) Portrait of a Band is a contest meant to connect Ben, an up and coming Musician with another up and coming Artist. In thinking about his website we felt Ben and the Casual Smokers would be best represented with the help of another visual Artists. There are so many amazing illustrators in Halifax we thought we would put a call out for submissions. Ben has a beautiful and inclusive sense of community. We decided to run a contest. Then we decided to offer up $1000 CDN. Then we decided to take it national. Finally, we decided to go International. Ben’s inclusive, we’re inclusive… this felt like the natural thing to do.
The Winner gets the Glory, a completed 12” LP illustrated by them and $ 1000 CDN.
Why, we’re glad you asked…
Because we are looking for the best. Because we aim to impress. Because we love Art. Because we love music. But mostly… because we love our community and we’re determined to see it thrive; one Artist at a time. Or in this case… two.
How to enter?
Follow the link below to Ben’s website. Click on the contest link, follow the instructions.
We can’t wait to see your submissions!
