Overview

WELCOME! My name is Adam Babarik and I'm a musician and songwriter here in the beautiful city of Chicago, IL.

Music emerged as a primary gift early in my life. What began in the woodwinds section, however, quickly transitioned to the guitar after experiencing the potency of rock and roll moshing around on stage to Nirvana’s “Smells Like Teen Spirit” at a summer lip-synch contest. Most of my childhood and early teenage musical aspirations can be summarized as seeking to emulate the rock guitarists that inspired me with both their talent and attitude on stage. 

Later in high school, songwriting emerged as an outlet for me to process the losses and change surrounding my transition into adulthood. I began to express thoughts and emotions I didn’t even know I had, leading me on a journey of self-discovery that continues to this day. Since becoming more active in the Chicago music scene in the past five years, many have affirmed my ability to connect with an audience through lyrics and musical performance. It is a wonderful thing to share something with others that makes them feel seen and heard–less alone in the world. This project gives me the opportunity to extend that reach and bring others into a sense of community and hope that, though life is difficult, we still have much to celebrate. 

The material is ready, and the musicians are waiting -- this Plaid Dog campaign is the final step toward creating my first ever, professionally produced studio album.

This campaign is raising funds for my professionally recorded album with Carter Sanders in Boston, MA. Carter is a seasoned Boston-based producer and engineer with experience working with both established and up-and-coming musicians. Together, Carter and I are digging into my original material, writing arrangements, and reaching out to local musicians to bring the songs to life. 

We’ve been able to cover the costs of recording and producing one song, which is ready for you to check out right here on this page. This first song is called “One, Two…,” and you can check it out below!

While I’ve been able to fund the recording process for "One, Two…” on my own, to create an album of songs of this quality, studio costs add up quickly. With that said, this campaign can give us a unique opportunity to collaborate and make great art together. Your donation will cover the following costs of my project:

1. Pre-Production: This is where everything starts. Carter and I will start crafting the arrangements for each song slated for the album. We’ll hold rehearsals to fine-tune the songs and arrangements and talk through new and exciting ideas for how to approach the recording process.

2. Recording: This is when we enter the studio and start capturing the music and where the songs become what you'll hear on this album. This campaign will play a huge role in making sure we have enough time to capture great performances for every member of the band.

3. Mixing & Mastering: Each track will get mixed to create the right balance between instruments, texture and color that make up a track. As a final step, the album will be mastered from beginning to end so that the listening experience is cohesive and carefully choreographed from start to finish.

And what will you get for your generosity and support? So many awesome things!

I am so appreciative and grateful for any support you can lend to this campaign. In exchange for your generosity, I've put together a really exciting group of gifts that are available exclusively through your participation in this campaign.

Check out some examples below and a full list to the right!

It's hard to express how much this project would change my life.

This campaign gives me the opportunity to showcase my best material from over twenty years of personal growth, development, and the study of songwriting. I believe in the quality of these songs and their ability to encourage others who have experienced similar wins and elations, wiles and frustrations, life, death, love, hate and everything in between. Our human experiences merit expression and affirmation, and while the thoughts and emotions may not always be safe or pretty, they are always valid and of concern to God. My ultimate hope is that those who hear these songs know that there is a God who loves them and wants the best for them here and now; who affirms their human experience and sticks with them through the good and the bad; who loves, forgives and heals. These are not safe songs, but they are good ones. Having your support to bring them to life with full studio treatment would mean the world to me. I hope you’ll consider it!

If you're ready to contribute, just click the "Back This Project" button on the top right of this page! Every little bit counts, and I’m so grateful for all your support.

If you have folks in your network that would be interested in supporting me, please feel free to share this page with them.

Thank you so much for checking out my campaign page. I can't wait to share this music with you.