http://www.lawrence.com/users/photos/2014/may/07/273057/

A long way from home, Nick Carswell, frontman of Lawrence alt-rock group Carswell and Hope, is hoping to raise enough money in the next 10 days to unite his two worlds in one tour overseas.

Hailing from Ireland, Carswell and his wife moved to Lawrence a couple of years ago, leaving behind his former band Elective Orchestra after years of touring the country and releasing their debut album. He then met current bandmates Jason Slote (drums), Dan Hines (bass) and Austin Quick (keys) at the former Barrel House downtown. The four have been working with a “back catalog” of Carswell’s music for the past two years, finally compiling newly inspired pieces for their forthcoming debut album, “A Hunger.”

Now he’s hoping to introduce the two bands to each other with a combined 11-date tour throughout Ireland. Starting a campaign through Indiegogo, the four-piece band is hoping to raise $9,500 to produce “A Hunger” and to travel abroad to perform it with his former bandmates in Elective Orchestra, sisters Dee and Kate Cussen (on cello and violin), and Sian Murray (on vocals). At this point, they are nearly halfway there with $4,360.

“It’s always been a dream of mine to bring the guys back to Ireland,” Carswell says. “Bring them in on a shared context that we don’t have now.”

For many reasons, touring in Ireland makes sense for bands in the early stages, he says. Each stop is a maximum of two to three hours apart, reducing the high travel costs bands generally have to spend touring in the US or even in the spacious Midwest, Carswell says.

In addition, Carswell remembers the large crowds that would pack each venue; he knows the “vintage rock” sound of Carswell and Hope would “make some noise” on the Irish shores. Their songs on the new album were written and arranged with the vision of it coming out on vinyl, its classic rock, distorted electronic sound infused with violin, cello, oboe, French horn and additional female vocals by Heidi Gluck.

Check out the incentives for donating to the campaign and international adventure, including digital downloads of their newest music, T-shirts and other merchandise, and top donating prizes of dedicated cover songs, year-long VIP treatment on the guest list for all of their shows, and a Carswell and Hope show inside your very own home.

“We’ve worked hard to make sure it is a worthy project to donate to,” Carswell says. “Those who have donated believe in our project.”