Esperanza Spalding Announces New Album

Esperanza Spalding

Seven seems to be a lucky number for Esperanza Spalding. In a new 77-second video, the bassist announced her new project, entitled Exposure, which will be written and recorded during a 77-hour Facebook Live stream in September. The finished product will be limited to 7,777 CDs.

Spalding announced the innovative new album in this video:

“Once the cameras start rolling, the audience will witness every second of Esperanza’s process,” she shared on her website, “including her eating and taking breaks to sleep in the studio. A monitor will also capture and show Esperanza the comments from the live audience, allowing them to participate in the creative process. Making it the first album ever created entirely on Facebook Live, not just for an audience, but with an audience, for an unprecedented 77 hour live feed.”

“I foresee that creating before a live audience will add excitement and extra inspiration energy,” the bassist says. “Knowing someone is watching and listening to what you’re making seems to conjure up a sort of ‘can’t fail’ energy, the necessity to keep going because it’s live draws up another depth of creative facility that can’t be reached when you know you can try again tomorrow.”

Exposure is available for pre-order through Spalding’s website. It can be ordered on CD for $50 or vinyl for $60. Each comes autographed and numbered with original note paper Spalding used during the session to write lyrics and music. An autographed test pressing LP is also available for pre-order.

The recording session begins September 12th, while the finished album is expected to ship in November.

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