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Darcy James Argue’s Secret Society

“One of the top big-band composers of our time.” — Stereophile

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DYNAMIC MAXIMUM TENSION: the new recording by Darcy James Argue’s Secret Society

GRAMMY-nominated bigband records a new double album inspired by Buckminster Fuller’s timelessly futuristic designs

 Brooklyn, NY, US
  • $26,192 raised of $20,000 goal
  • 297 donations
  • -1185222 minutes left
This is a Fiscally-Sponsored Project

Fiscally Sponsored by Fractured Atlas

Dynamic Maximum Tension nominated for a GRAMMY!


I’m overjoyed to announce that Dynamic Maximum Tension has been nominated for a GRAMMY! We are up for Best Large Jazz Ensemble Album.

We would not be here without your support and for that I am profoundly grateful.

This is a journey that began almost exactly 20 years ago, when I first moved to New York and began putting together rehearsals of my music. These reading sessions eventually led to the birth of Secret Society, and to our earliest gigs at CBGB and the Bowery Poetry Club. Many of my co-conspirators have been with me since those early days; all of them have breathed life into my music with incredible spirit and spark.

Dynamic Maximum Tension is the product of two decades of passionate toil, a genuine labor of love for all of us. On behalf of all of us, we are deeply grateful to all of you for making this recording a reality!

By now, all backers at the Digital Download, Hi-Res Digital Download, and 2 CD Set tiers should have received their rewards, and all backers at higher tiers should have received their download code and/or CDs. (If by some chance you did not receive your download code or physical CD, please contact me ASAP.)

For backers at the Masterclass tier, Bespoke Cocktail tier, and above, please keep an eye on your inbox as I am now preparing to fulfilling the remainder of your backer rewards!

Again, deepest thanks to you all for your tremendous support!

Ever up and onward,

— DJA

Updated troubleshooting contact

Hello all,

Due to a series of extremely unfortunate events — long story short: I migrated my web server to ensure that it would not be overwhelmed by download traffic, and, uh, that ended up breaking my site’s email — you may have had difficultly reaching me at info@darcyjamesargue.com. I deeply and sincerely apologize for any inconvenience.

If you are experiencing any difficulties with your download, please reach out to me instead at my backup email, secretsocietybigband@gmail.com, and I’ll get right back to you.

Best, and thanks,

— DJA

Dynamic Maximum Tension backer digital downloads out now

Hello friends,

You should have recently received an email containing the Backer Coupon Code that will allow you to download your advance digital copy of Dynamic Maximum Tension.

Didn’t get this email? Please check your junk mail folder for a message from info@darcyjamesargue.com.

Still having trouble finding it? Please email info@darcyjamesargue.com and I will make sure you receive your Backer Coupon Code and download instructions.

I’m very excited for you all to hear this music!

Best,

— DJA

IMPORTANT: CDs shipping soon — has your address changed?

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Hello all,

I’m pleased to announce that I now have CD copies of Dynamic Maximum Tension in hand. If you opted for a tier that includes the 2 CD set, they will be shipping out shortly. I can’t wait for you all to hear this music!

If your shipping address has changed from what you entered during our crowdfunding campaign a year ago, please email info@darcyjamesargue.com with your new address AS SOON AS POSSIBLE! If you don’t recall what address you entered and would like to double-check, please also email me at this address.

The initial shipments are about to go out so please do not delay! I want to make sure that everyone who supported us at the CD tier gets their discs in hand as soon as possible.

Thank you again for your phenomenal support. I am very excited about this release and I hope you will be excited to hear it!

Yours,

— DJA

PS Have you seen the DMT Inspirations series on my website? Here are some things I have written about some of the people who inspired this recording:

Buckminster Fuller
Laurie Frink
Levon Helm
Mae West

RELEASE DATE: Dynamic Maximum Tension coming this fall on Nonesuch Records


Hello friends,

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As backers of this recording, I wanted you to be the first to know: Dynamic Maximum Tension will be released on September 8, 2023.

I’m especially thrilled to announce that it will be coming out on Nonesuch Records, home to some of my favorite musicians, including Joshua Redman, Brad Mehldau, Pat Metheny, Tigran Hamasyan, Mary Halvorson, and my friend and collaborator Cécile McLorin Salvant (who  makes a guest appearance on the album). Nonesuch has been one of my very favorite labels since my teenage years, and working with them on this release is a dream come true.

It’s a dream that could only have been realized with your support. I’m so deeply grateful to each and every one of you for backing this recording and allowing us to bring this music to life in all its vivid detail. I’m extremely proud of this record and can’t wait for you to hear it!

(For a sneak peek, check out the just-released “Dymaxion” video featuring Carl Maraghi absolutely tearing it up.)

As backers, you will be the first to receive your copies of Dynamic Maximum Tension. The 2 CD package, designed by Lawrence Azerrad, is drop-dead gorgeous, and physical copies will go out to CD-level backers once we have them in hand. For those who opted for tiers with additional rewards, like the Masterclass Package or the Bespoke Cocktail Package, I will be reaching out to you soon.

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On behalf of all of my Secret Society co-conspirators, please accept our deepest gratitude. We simply could not have done it without you. Our best to you all, and, as Billy Strayhorn used to say, ever on and upward!

— Darcy

PS If you would like to help us spread the word and let others know where they can pre-order, we invite you to share the following link:

https://darcyjamesargue.lnk.to/dynamicmaximumtension

A whirlwind recording, a whirlwind campaign [UPDATE: 6 Sept 2022]

Photo: Lindsay Beyerstein


And with that, our crowdfunding for Dynamic Maximum Tension comes to a close. With $26,000 raised from almost 300 backers, you have made this campaign a smashing success, very nearly doubling our previous crowdfunding total!

I’m so very grateful to each and every one of you, at every possible level. When I decided to record a double album with a group of 19 co-conspirators (plus guests!) and book the five days of studio time we’d need to document it properly, I knew that I was taking a massive risk. And when I decided to launch this crowdfunding effort, I was actually rather apprehensive that we might not reach our goal… but the outpouring of support has been truly incredible and deeply moving. Thank you all so very much! I am proud to have your support.

As I mentioned on the crowdfunding page, we don’t have a firm release date yet for Dynamic Maximum Tension, but I will update everyone as soon as we do. Of course, as backers, you will receive early access to the album prior to its general release. For those who selected the Masterclass, Bespoke Cocktail, and Patron tiers, I will be in touch with you when we approach our release date about your custom rewards.

Again, on behalf of all of my co-conspirators, very deepest thanks to all of you for making this recording possible!

All best, and hold fast,

— DJA

The cat’s in the bag and the bag’s in the river. [UPDATE: 3 Sept 2022]

After five long, intense, thrilling, exhausting days in the studio, Dynamic Maximum Tension is officially in the can.

A five-day recording session for a jazz album — even a double album like this — is an incredible rarity, but I promise you, we took full advantage of every single second! My co-conspirators truly outdid themselves with their focus, commitment, attention to fine detail, and absolutely inspiring soloing. I have worked with many of these musicians for many years, and I can tell you in all sincerity that the solos on this record are some of the best solos I have ever heard from my co-conspirators.

And our guest artists — Cécile McLorin Salvant and Sara Caswell — absolutely slayed it. Simply put, they are the best there is at what they do, and what they do is phenomenal.

Again, I truly cannot thank all of you enough for your support — it’s been absolutely extraordinary! Here is a photo gallery documenting some of the moments from our past five days.

Photo: Lindsay Beyerstein

Photo: Lindsay Beyerstein

Photo: Lindsay Beyerstein

All Things Go [UPDATE: 28 Aug 2022]

Power Station NYC Studio C


Getting ready for a recording session is both a marathon and a sprint. The preparations for this record begun a long, long time ago — a true marathon — but the last few weeks have been an all-out sprint. Last week I the finishing touches on “Mae West: Advice,” featuring Cécile McLorin Salvant — the final piece I needed to compose for this recording — and made final adjustments to everything else, all while putting my co-conspirators through some intense but deeply satisfying rehearsals.

As soon as I finish writing this, I’m going to try to get something approaching a decent night’s sleep for the first night in a loooong time, before heading out to Power Station NYC first thing tomorrow morning for Day One of our marathon five-day recording session. I’m going to have my hands full and probably won’t be able to update much here, but follow #DMTrecording on our social media streams for updates from musicians and production personnel. And once we wrap, over the weekend I will share photos from the session here, including some exclusives just for backers.

I’m unbelievably excited about this record! As a composer, you hate to pick favorites, but I think it represents some of the best music I’ve ever written, and I can’t wait for you to hear it.

I’m enormously grateful to each and every one of you. None of this would be happening without your support, which has been just tremendous. I remain honored and grateful that you have demonstrated your belief in our music by contributing so generously to this recording project.

We still have 7 more days left in our crowdfunding campaign, so please let people know that if they haven’t already contributed, and would like to reserve an advance copy of the recording or any other backer rewards, time is running out!

Again, my very deepest and most sincere gratitude to all of you. We look forward to making a record that you will be proud to have supported!

Yours most appreciatively,

— DJA

We did it! Thanks to you!

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Oh my god, you guys, we did it! We reached our crowdfunding goal for Dynamic Maximum Tension!

Thanks so much to each and every one of you. Your contributions allow us to record this music, and to document it at the highest possible level. On behalf of all of my co-conspirators, we’re just massively grateful to each and every one of you for your support.

For my part, it is such a relief to see the project funded before we enter the studio! I was actually rather anxious about this crowdfunding project, but it has succeeded beyond my wildest expectations! The campaign is still open for the next 19 days, so please continue to share the project and let people know about the backer rewards that can still be theirs!

Again, deepest and most profound thanks to each and every one of you. Your support means the world.

Yours most appreciatively,

— Darcy

We’re Closing In! [UPDATE 10 Aug 2022]

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Last night, at Jazz at Lincoln Center’s Dizzy’s Club, we previewed the music for Dynamic Maximum Tension for an enthusiastic, sold-out crowd. The band is sounding wonderful, and I’m so excited to be documenting this music!

Thanks to you, we are also over 90% of the way to our fundraising goal! Your support has been absolutely incredible! We’d love to cross that finish line before the week is out, so please continue to let people know about this campaign and all the great rewards we’re offering. 

And again, deepest and most heartfelt thanks from me and from all of my co-conspirators.

— DJA

An Astonishing Three Days [UPDATE 7 Aug 2022]

As of 12:47 PM on Sunday — less than 72 hours after launching this campaign — we reached 100 backers and are 75% of the way to our goal! This is far and above our wildest expectations for the pace of this campaign. If this continues, we could reach our goal before our performance at Dizzy’s on August 9th, which would be a wonderful thing!

Thank you all so much — you’re amazing! Secret Society has the most incredible, inspiring fans. Please continue to spread the word and help us blast across that finish line!

We’re off to a roaring start!

I’m honestly speechless. Forty-eight hours into our crowdfunding campaign for Dynamic Maximum Tension and we are already more than 60% of the way to our goal!
 
Making a double album with an 18-piece band is an incredibly daunting proposition, but the support you have shown for this project has been nothing short of amazing! My very deepest and most heartfelt thanks to everyone who has generously backed this recording!

Sincere thanks as well to all of you who have shared our crowdfunding campaign on social media — it helps an enormous amount!

My co-conspirators and I are humbled by the outpouring of support. We can’t wait to record this music!
​​
Darcy James Argue’s Secret Society is an 18-piece bigband “renowned in the jazz world” (New York Times). We have released three GRAMMY-nominated recordings, and our most recent album, Real Enemies, was named one of the 20 best jazz albums of the decade by Stereogum.

We are about to return to the recording studio for our long-awaited fourth record. This ambitious double album, Dynamic Maximum Tension, is named after the three words that visionary inventor Buckminster Fuller combined to form his personal brand: “Dymaxion” — a term reflecting Bucky’s desire to get the most out of his materials, the utopian vision of his designs, and his quest to improve the pattern of daily life. I find optimism and creative renewal in Bucky’s prescience as an early proponent of renewables like wind and wave power, and in his timelessly futuristic designs inspired by the geometry of the natural world.

In addition to Fuller, the music on Dynamic Maximum Tension pays tribute to other mid-20th century innovators, including composer-bandleader Duke Ellington, cryptographer Alan Turing, and actress-playwright-screenwriter Mae West, among others. This album looks for inspiration in the artistry, inventiveness, and resourcefulness that emerged from an age where the future seemed brighter than it does now.


From the musicians who have been part of Secret Society from the start to those recording with us for the first time, I couldn’t ask for a better group of players to bring my music to life:

WINDS
Dave Pietro
Rob Wilkerson
Sam Sadigursky
John Ellis
Carl Maraghi

TRUMPETS
Seneca Black
Liesl Whitaker
Matt Holman
Nadje Noordhuis
Ingrid Jensen
Brandon Lee

TROMBONES
Mike Fahie
Ryan Keberle
Jacob Garchik
Jennifer Wharton

RHYTHM
Sebastian Noelle guitar
Adam Birnbaum piano
Matt Clohesy bass
Jon Wikan drums

I’m also delighted to feature the following guest artists:

  • GRAMMY-winning vocalist and MacArthur fellow Cécile McLorin Salvant will join us on “Mae West: Advice,” my setting of a poem by Paisley Rekdal. Cécile and I first worked together on her narrative song cycle, Ogresse, and I’m very excited to be continuing our collaboration.

  • Internationally-acclaimed violinist Sara Caswell will join us on “Tensile Curves,” my long-form response to Duke Ellington’s “Diminuendo in Blue.” I’ve been an enormous fan of Sara’s playing for over two decades now, so I’m thrilled to finally be able to feature her on this recording.

Dynamic Maximum Tension will be produced by trombonist and composer Alan Ferber, a longtime friend of Secret Society. Alan also produced our previous recording, Real Enemies, and is a seasoned, meticulous, and inspiring presence behind the control room window.


Secret Society will record Dynamic Maximum Tension at New York’s premier recording studio, Power Station NYC, from Aug. 29 to Sept. 2, 2022.

The album will be recorded by renown recording engineer Brian Montgomery, who also mixed our two previous records. Brian has some of the best ears in the business, and his attention to musical detail is nothing short of breathtaking.

Brian will mix the album in the fall of 2022 and spring of 2023, with my active involvement — I always love to be in the room when Brian is mixing!

When the mixes are complete, they’ll be mastered by Randy Merrill. Randy is a music industry superstar. He’s mastered hit records by Adele, Lady Gaga, and Taylor Swift, but he’s also been the mastering engineer for all of Secret Society’s prior albums. He’s an absolute wizard.

We expect to release Dynamic Maximum Tension in mid-to-late 2023. The specific release date depends on a number of factors outside of our control, but as backers, you’ll be the first to receive your copies! Backers who opt for physical media will have their albums shipped a minimum of one month prior to the official release date.


As you might imagine, recording a double album with an 18-piece ensemble is quite a challenge! We’ll be recording over two hours of epic, expansive music, and we want to capture it in all its vivid detail. The truth is that we simply can’t make this record without your help — every dollar you contribute brings us one step closer to our goal of making the kind of “dynamic, detailed, articulate, and spacious” (Stereophile) recording you’ve come to expect from Secret Society.

All funds raised in this campaign go to support the musicians, guest artists, producer, recording engineer, and other artistic and technical personnel involved in the creation of Dynamic Maximum Tension.

As a backer, any contributions to this campaign above market value are tax-deductible to the extent permitted by law.

For those outside the USA, please check with your home country about whether contributions to US-based 501(c)(3) organizations are tax-deductible for you.


Back this recording — you’ll receive exclusive updates, get fantastic rewards, and be the first to hear the album once it’s complete!

Help us spread the word — share this campaign with friends, family, and on social media!

Rewards

Digital Download

Donate $20.00 or more

Amount over $19.99 is tax-deductible.

A digital download of Dynamic Maximum Tension (320kbps MP3).

Hi-Res Digital Download

Donate $25.00 or more

Amount over $24.99 is tax-deductible.

A high resolution (96 KHz/24 bit) digital download of Dynamic Maximum Tension in WAV, FLAC, or Apple Lossless format.

2 CD set - US shipping

Donate $36.00 or more

Amount over $35.98 is tax-deductible.

A physical copy (double CD set) of Dynamic Maximum Tension for backers located in the United States. Also includes a high-resolution (96 KHz/24 bit) download in WAV, FLAC, or Apple Lossless format.

$32 + $4 shipping (US)

2 CD set - Canadian shipping

Donate $44.00 or more

Amount over $43.98 is tax-deductible.

A physical copy (double CD set) of Dynamic Maximum Tension for backers located in Canada. Also includes a high-resolution (96 KHz/24 bit) download in WAV, FLAC, or Apple Lossless format.

$32 + $12 shipping (Canada)

2 CD set - International Shipping

Donate $52.00 or more

Amount over $51.98 is tax-deductible.

A physical copy (double CD set) of Dynamic Maximum Tension for international backers. Also includes a high-resolution (96 KHz/24 bit) download in WAV, FLAC, or Apple Lossless format.

$32 + $20 shipping (international)

Masterclass Package

Donate $100.00 or more

Amount over $24.99 is tax-deductible.

Join Darcy for a 2-hour live video masterclass where he explores some of the compositions on Dynamic Maximum Tension and answers your questions.

The masterclass will take place via Zoom and be scheduled at a time that works for the majority of participants. Backers who are unable to join live will have the opportunity to submit questions in advance. All participants will receive a video recording of the masterclass.

Includes a high resolution (96 KHz/24 bit) digital download of Dynamic Maximum Tension in WAV, FLAC, or Apple Lossless format.

Bespoke Cocktail Package

Donate $250.00 or more

Amount over $35.98 is tax-deductible.

An avid mixologist, Darcy will create an original cocktail inspired by the composition of your choice from Dynamic Maximum Tension and tailored to your specific tastes. You’ll receive a handwritten recipe card for your individualized cocktail.

You’ll also receive a signed and personalized copy of the CD, and a high-resolution (96 KHz/24 bit) download in WAV, FLAC, or Apple Lossless format.

Dymaxial Patron Package

Donate $1,000.00 or more

Amount over $35.98 is tax-deductible.

  • You’ll be prominently credited as a Dymaxial Patron in the CD booklet and digital booklet for Dynamic Maximum Tension. 
  • You’ll receive a signed 11” x 14” score page from the composition of your choice from Dynamic Maximum Tension. 
  • Darcy will create an original cocktail inspired by the composition of your choice from Dynamic Maximum Tension and tailored to your specific tastes. You’ll receive a handwritten recipe card for your individualized cocktail.
  • You’re invited to the live video masterclass where Darcy explores some of the compositions on Dynamic Maximum Tension and answer your questions.
  • You’ll receive an signed and personalized copy of the CD.
  • Includes a high resolution (96 KHz/24 bit) digital download of Dynamic Maximum Tension in WAV, FLAC, or Apple Lossless format.

Synergetic Patron Package

Donate $6,000.00 or more

Amount over $35.98 is tax-deductible.

  • You’ll support the creation of one of the two (as-yet) uncommissioned works on Dynamic Maximum Tension. [Contact us for details.] You’ll be credited as the commissioner on all copies of the score and parts (physical and digital) and in all printed programs.
  • You’ll receive a signed 11” x 14” score page from the commissioned composition. 
  • You’ll be prominently credited as the commissioner of the work and as a Synergetic Patron in the CD booklet and digital booklet for Dynamic Maximum Tension. 
  • Darcy will create an original cocktail inspired by the composition of your choice from Dynamic Maximum Tension and tailored to your specific tastes. You’ll receive a handwritten recipe card for your individualized cocktail.
  • You’re invited to the live video masterclass where Darcy explores some of the compositions on Dynamic Maximum Tension and answer your questions.
  • You’ll receive an signed and personalized copy of the CD.
  • Includes a high resolution (96 KHz/24 bit) digital download of Dynamic Maximum Tension in WAV, FLAC, or Apple Lossless format.

Executive Producer Package

Donate $12,000.00 or more

Amount over $35.98 is tax-deductible.

  • You’ll be prominently credited as Executive Producer in the CD booklet and digital booklet for Dynamic Maximum Tension. 
  • You’re invited to attend the Dynamic Maximum Tension recording session at Power Station NYC on the day of your choosing (Aug. 29 to Sept. 2).
  • You’ll receive a signed 11” x 14” score page from the composition of your choice from Dynamic Maximum Tension. 
  • Darcy will create an original cocktail inspired by the composition of your choice from Dynamic Maximum Tension and tailored to your specific tastes. You’re invited to a cocktail hour at Darcy’s Brooklyn apartment where he will mix and serve your individualized cocktail, and share stories from the recording session. You’ll also receive a handwritten cocktail recipe card.
  • You’re invited to the live video masterclass where Darcy explores some of the compositions on Dynamic Maximum Tension and answer your questions.
  • You’ll receive a signed and personalized copy of the CD.
  • Includes a high resolution (96 KHz/24 bit) digital download of Dynamic Maximum Tension in WAV, FLAC, or Apple Lossless format.