Hi Everyone and Welcome! The Light We Keep is our first duo album, a collection of tunes and songs drawn from the English, American and Irish folk traditions that have truly shaped our lives. This recording is rooted in the social music-making we love: melodies are meant to be shared, carried, and rediscovered together.
The album explores the warmth and connection that live at the heart of folk music. These are tunes we have played late at night after dances, songs we return to again and again, and new musical conversations that have grown out of the past few years of collaboration, both here in the US and in England.
We invite you to help us bring this record to life. By supporting this project, you’re not only helping us create an album, you’re helping sustain a living tradition of community music, creativity, and joy. Together, we can keep this light shining and share it far beyond this recording.
We are honored to have an incredible team behind this album:
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Andrew VanNorstrand
Producer, Guitars |
Dana Billings
Engineer, Mixing, Drums |
Louise
Bichan
Photography & Design |
Benjamin Jaber
Flute & Whistle |
Known for his
musical work with The Faux Paws, Great Bear Trio and solo
work. Producer credits include Wake Up Robin, Rachel Bell,
Julie Vallimont & more. | Known for his work with Andrew, Felicia Douglass (Dirty Projectors), Brittany Campbell (award winning musician/actress) + his work as a film & tv composer. | Known for their music with Hildaland and Bellwether, along with incredible design work and photography for many artists in US & UK. | Known worldwide for his incredible Uilleann Piping and flute playing. He is also Principal French Horn of the San Diego Symphony. | greatbearmusic.com | danabillings.com | sassafrashillproductions.com | benjaminjaber.com |
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Your support will enable us to properly compensate our amazing
team for their incredible work on the album, pay for our time at the
amazing Ghost Hit
Recording, post-production costs, marketing costs,
production of physical copies, royalties and more.
We have created several rewards to share our appreciation for
your support, and if you have any questions at all, please do not
hesitate to reach out to us.
We thank you again so much for your support, please consider sharing with your friends, families, work folk or even your mortal enemies!
Much love,
Alex & Audrey
Products
A digital copy of our album, The Light We Keep, along with the digital album design and liner notes.
You will receive a very specially designed digital pdf book with
extended album liner notes, sheet music and lyrics for each track, and
behind the scenes photos and stories from the studio and more!
+
Album Digital Download
You will receive a very specially designed limited edition printed copy of the Album Book with extended album liner notes, sheet music and lyrics for each track, and behind the scenes photos and stories from the studio and more!
+ Physical CD
+ NEW Alex & Audrey Sticker
Join us for a very special pre-release listening party hosted on Zoom. As well as listening to each track of the album together, we will also share stories from our time in the studio, creating the tracks and why these songs were chosen and what they mean to us! PLUS you'll get a chance to ask your questions. It will be a lovely hang! DATE TBC (playback available).
+ Physical CD
+ NEW Alex & Audrey Sticker
+
Digital Album Book
+ Digital Download
A chance for a special one-hour Zoom lesson with Alex and/or Audrey. Learn Fiddle techniques and tunes with Audrey, Accordion licks and repertoire with Alex, Voice coaching, playing for dance, arranging. We are open to what you would like to learn from us!
+ Physical CD
+ NEW Alex & Audrey Sticker
+ Secret
Album Listening Party Ticket
+ Digital Album Book
+ Digital Download
We will play a house concert, local contra dance or
local English Country Dance.
(Will work best as part of a planned tour but open to travel
outside tour areas). Upcoming tours including East Coast, West
Coast and Midwest US, plus UK and Canada. Please feel free to get in
contact first if you would like!
+ Physical CD
+ NEW Alex & Audrey Sticker
+ Digital
Album Book
+ Digital Download
+ Secret Album Listening Party Ticket
A weekend
(Friday evening to Sunday afternoon) with Alex &
Audrey. We'll come a lead a workshop weekend, play for a small weekend
of dancing or a combination of our musical and teaching offerings.
(Will work best as part of a planned tour but open to travel
outside current planned tour areas). Upcoming tours including
East Coast, West Coast and Midwest US, plus UK and Canada. Please feel
free to get in contact first if you would like!
+ Physical CD
+ NEW Alex & Audrey Sticker
+ Digital
Album Book
+ Digital Download
+ Secret Album Listening Party Ticket
Budget Preview
We want to be as open and honest about the costs of producing our record. This a simplified look at our estimated budget, which is subject to change, especially with the current economic state. Unexpected costs nearly always appear, and this current budget does not account for our own work time on this project.
| Category | Item | Cost |
| Recording & Production | Studio | $3,325.00 |
| Recording & Production | Producer & Sound Engineer Fees | $4,000.00 |
| Post-Production | Mixing | $6,000.00 |
| Post-Production | Mastering | $1,000.00 |
| Artwork & Design | Design | $1,600.00 |
| Artwork & Design | Printing & Merchandise | $300.00 |
| Manufacturing & Distribution | Physical Copies | $2,000.00 |
| Manufacturing & Distribution | Copyright Payments | $1,000.00 |
| Marketing & Promotion UK | Promotion (US & UK) | $550.00 |
| Contingency | Unexpected Costs (10%) | $2,000.00 |
| Total | $21,775.00 |
About Alex & Audrey
Alex Cumming & Audrey Jaber are a dynamic duo in the traditional folk music scene, known for their captivating performances and deep-rooted passion for folk traditions.
Together, Alex and Audrey create a unique and engaging traditional music experience. Their collaboration blends Alex’s traditional singing and rhythmic accordion playing with Audrey’s lively fiddling, resulting in performances that resonate deeply with audiences. Audrey played fiddle on Alex’s debut solo album, “Homecoming,” released in 2024 and the duo will soon be releasing their debut duo record, The Light We Keep.
Notable performances include Club Passim, Folklore Society of Greater Washington, Folk Music Society of New York, Sidmouth Folk Festival, Halsway Manor, Cecil Sharp House, Circle Left, Glen Echo Ballroom, Whitby Folk Week and The Christmas Revels at Sanders Theater.
 |  | Audrey Jaber (she/her), is a vibrant fiddler and singer based in San Diego, CA. She has energized dance and concert halls throughout the US and Europe with her dynamic fiddling style. Audrey is a member of several bands, including The Free Raisins, Root System, Night Heron and Wake Up Robin. Audrey’s fiddle playing is rhythmically lively and spontaneous; she’s guaranteed to get you up and dancing. She specializes in English dance, New England, Celtic, and Old-Time tunes (and did we mention she’s also an audio engineer?!) You might also have taken a workshop with Audrey, as she’s been on staff at various camps including various weeks at Pinewoods, Halsway Manor, Ashokan Northern Week, BACDS American week and Lady of the Lake. | Alex Cumming (they/she) is a traditional singer, accordionist, pianist, and dance caller originally from Somerset, England, now based in Brattleboro, Vermont. With over a decade and a half of experience, Alex has performed extensively across the UK and the US, bringing traditional songs and tunes to life with his engaging stage presence and deep knowledge of folk traditions. Alex is also known for their work with award winning UK based a Capella band The Teacups, celtic trio Bellwether (ft. Eric McDonald & Louise Bichan) and contra dance band, Red Case Band. Alex is also an experienced workshop and choral leader, having taught workshops for CDSS, The Flurry Festival, Sidmouth Folk Festival, Halsway Manor and many more. Alex was also the Artistic and Music Director for Revels North in NH. |
Their partnership is celebrated for its ability to connect with audiences through passionate and authentic performances, making them a beloved duo in the traditional folk music community.
Find out more and keep up to date:
www.alexcummingaudreyjaber.com
A digital copy of our album, The Light We Keep, along with the digital album design and liner notes.
You will receive a very specially designed digital pdf book with
extended album liner notes, sheet music and lyrics for each track, and
behind the scenes photos and stories from the studio and more!
+
Album Digital Download
You will receive a very specially designed limited edition printed copy of the Album Book with extended album liner notes, sheet music and lyrics for each track, and behind the scenes photos and stories from the studio and more!
+ Physical CD
+ NEW Alex & Audrey Sticker
Join us for a very special pre-release listening party hosted on Zoom. As well as listening to each track of the album together, we will also share stories from our time in the studio, creating the tracks and why these songs were chosen and what they mean to us! PLUS you'll get a chance to ask your questions. It will be a lovely hang! DATE TBC (playback available).
+ Physical CD
+ NEW Alex & Audrey Sticker
+
Digital Album Book
+ Digital Download
A chance for a special one-hour Zoom lesson with Alex and/or Audrey. Learn Fiddle techniques and tunes with Audrey, Accordion licks and repertoire with Alex, Voice coaching, playing for dance, arranging. We are open to what you would like to learn from us!
+ Physical CD
+ NEW Alex & Audrey Sticker
+ Secret
Album Listening Party Ticket
+ Digital Album Book
+ Digital Download
We will play a house concert, local contra dance or
local English Country Dance.
(Will work best as part of a planned tour but open to travel
outside tour areas). Upcoming tours including East Coast, West
Coast and Midwest US, plus UK and Canada. Please feel free to get in
contact first if you would like!
+ Physical CD
+ NEW Alex & Audrey Sticker
+ Digital
Album Book
+ Digital Download
+ Secret Album Listening Party Ticket
A weekend
(Friday evening to Sunday afternoon) with Alex &
Audrey. We'll come a lead a workshop weekend, play for a small weekend
of dancing or a combination of our musical and teaching offerings.
(Will work best as part of a planned tour but open to travel
outside current planned tour areas). Upcoming tours including
East Coast, West Coast and Midwest US, plus UK and Canada. Please feel
free to get in contact first if you would like!
+ Physical CD
+ NEW Alex & Audrey Sticker
+ Digital
Album Book
+ Digital Download
+ Secret Album Listening Party Ticket
