They were just private texts between two great friends, until they became a best-selling book, a popular Facebook page, a pop song, and now a Kickstarter campaign to fund a music video.
Los Angeles, CA -- (SBWIRE) -- 10/10/2014 -- "Me without you is like sky without blue."
That’s the simple text that designer Lisa Swerling sent to her friend, Emma Franks, to express their close bond.
"Me without you is like foot without shoe."
That’s how Emma responded. And so it began.
The pair exchanged many texts over the next several days, writing dozens of clever, rhyming and often silly ways to express how connected they felt to each other, and all beginning with: “Me without you is like…” You know, like a cow without moo, or a yacht without crew.
“The text exchange was funny but also made us feel closer.” Lisa recalls.
Swerling’s husband, artist Ralph Lazar, sketched some drawings based on the rhymes, and the couple soon realized that these cheerful expressions of feeling strongly connected to another person had the makings of a book. But what the couple didn’t know was how much they would resonate with audiences across multiple media platforms.
First came the little red hardcover book version of “Me Without You,” with each page containing only three-word phrases that follow the same opening: “Me without you is like…” The book has sold over 200,000 copies worldwide.
The couple then developed a popular Facebook page based on the “Me Without You” theme, which has attracted more than 300,000 followers.
But the story doesn’t end there. Los Angeles songwriter Bethany Rubin (aka Bickenhall Music) was so taken with the passionate message of the book’s simple rhyming phrases that she composed “Me Without You” as a jazzy pop song. She also wrote a version in French, “Moi Sans Toi.”
Rubin then contacted the authors, who loved the song.
“The song was so catchy, and we found ourselves singing along – to a text!” remembers Ralph.
Together, Rubin and the authors of the book decided that “Me Without You” could also work as an animated music video, a goal that has led them to the world of crowdfunding. They are seeking contributions via Kickstarter to hire renowned animator Norm Konyu to transform their dream of a “Me Without You” animated music video into a reality.
About Crowdfunding
The crowdfunding campaign, which ends Oct. 18, is off to a great start, showing that the “Me Without You” concept works on yet another media platform.
LINKS:
Kickstarter campaign http://bit.ly/MEwithoutU
Hear the “Me Without You” song http://bit.ly/mewithoutyousong
The Me Without You Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/mewithoutyoupage
Bethany Rubin’s Official Website http://www.bickenhallmusic.com/
CONTACT:
Lisa Swerling (Marin, CA) lisaswerling@gmail.com
Bethany Rubin (LA) bethany@bethanyrubin.com