Kickstarter album fundraising campaign begun!

Originally posted February 5, 2010 on Kickstarter.com

So these days, the idea of being a bedroom-produced musician sounds great--indie, cheap, sort of rebellious lo-fi cool. The thing is, I've tried it, and what results in my case is...absolutely nothing. It's time to get professional and do this music thing right.

My first album came out in 2002, followed by my first mini-tour. After that, I thought I couldn't continue being a musician because it takes so much time, guts, and money. Since 2002, I've come up with the time and guts, and have been playing clubs in the Northeast, mainly New York. Now it's time to produce a high-quality album and get involved with awesome musicians, to really take music seriously. Performing and trying to get my music out there is a difficult, nerve-wracking, and absolutely amazing experience. But someone once told me that I'd be selfish to keep my music to myself, so I'm appealing to YOU to help me put it out there!

Musical expression is my way of inspiring people to feel, to float out of their lives for a moment (or hour), to plug in directly to what we all wish we could say, and to know that suspended connection with everyone in the room, house, street, city, world. I try to write music that's meaningful to the kernels of being human, which makes it somewhat unconventional--definitely not going to be on the pop charts anytime soon. But I'm proud of that. I want to add my music to the growing tide of artists whose work is shifting the music industry away from profit-contrived entertainment. By giving to my project, you are supporting a growing change toward grassroots culture, genuine expression, the kinds of work and connection that make the world more peaceful and healthy.

Here's what your money will go to:
1) Recording a CD in March - for audiences at gigs who want to take away a disc of songs I just played (rather than songs that are 8 years old, eek), and for
2) Promotion to venues, festivals, radio stations, reps, blogs, etc. who give press and book shows based on professionality
3) Remunerating even a little bit the fabulously talented musicians who I love playing with and feel terrible that I can't pay for their time, skills, and musical sensitivity
4) Thingies that make live shows possible like water and AA batteries

I've set the goal at $2,500--a sizeable yet reachable amount that will kickstart my goals (oh geez, no pun intended). Cutting and promoting an album actually costs a lot more than that, so hopefully we can meet and even exceed the online goal!

Making music is a combination of creative sweat and pavement-pounding, and I promise I am the embodiment of persistence when I'm serious about something. But I also know that I need help and I've learned that you don't get anything if you don't ask. So here I am. Thank you so much for your generosity in helping me turn my dreams into reality!!
 
**If you want to give but aren't psyched about the rewards I offered, let me know! I can do lots of other quirky and fun things like face-painting, knitting...**