Crowdfunding my album is working!
I’m releasing an album (EP of 5 or 6 songs) in March 2015.
Now as I find myself in the midst of the crowdfunding process, I pause to reflect on how I got here.
3 weeks ago I didn’t have any plans of making an album. Perhaps in the hazy distant future, but not now.
So how did is it that I am suddenly “making an album” and finding myself in the midst of crowdfunding campaigns and promotion?
Withdrawal From The “Music Scene”
In the past I had been “on the scene” in various guises. Both as a cofounder of a rock band playing the top clubs in Toronto and as a solo singer/songwriter when the internet was just becoming a part of people’s lives.
Due to various circumstances at the time, I found myself withdrawing from the music scene. I decided to focus on my inner development, my musicianship and writing, as well as my grass roots guitar teaching business.
After 5 years of this, I met my wife Mary. Now, after 8 years focusing on those things within our marriage, I find myself being inspired to again bring my music to the world.
This time it feels different. This time I have Mary’s support — along with many in her Zumba community. She plays my songs in the cool downs after class and my songs have grown on many of the participants. This is also what directly led to me crowdfunding my album.
It’s given me the confidence I needed to pursue what for me has been a lifelong dream. I would even say that other than knowing my own true nature, it’s my dharma — my calling. Even during those years when I withdrew from the music scene, I actively pursued my dream everyday.
I practiced my craft everyday. Very rarely do I miss a day of practice. Whether it’s guitar, keeping my voice in shape or songwriting.
Something else happened in the past couple of years that also gave me a confidence boost. Now, when I say confidence I don’t mean I’m some “mousy” character. It takes a lot of guts to stick to this. Especially in my case where I just couldn’t seem to gain any traction in the “music business.” No matter how good I or others thought I was, how hard I worked or how many sacrifices I made, I just didn’t seem to be able to put the necessary ingredients together at the right time.
As a matter of fact, I have entertained the thought of walking away from it all many times. But it never pans out because I know in my heart I’m not being honest with myself. I’m just trying to escape the pain. But that’s all part of the learning curve when it comes to the art of being human.
Becoming My Own Producer/Engineer
A few years ago, I’d taken to studying and practicing the art of audio engineering. Since I’d never achieved the results I wanted in commercial studios in the past, intuitively I felt that having a deep knowledge of production was a key for me.
And I was right. After about 5 years of working on my own recording projects, I took an online course on home recording for the independent musician.
I loved it so much that I spontaneously emailed the author — Gary Gray — in order to thank him for his amazing contribution to my life.
To my surprise he emailed me back and asked to hear some of my work. He loved what I was doing and offered to mentor me.
So I began working on songs according to Gary’s protocol. I would send him my results and he would give me suggestions on what I could do to improve my mix.
When my mix was finally ready, I would retain Gary’s world class skills to master the song. Mastering is a complex engineering procedure which essentially takes the song and makes it “broadcast quality.” This means it will sound good across any sound system and the production quality will sound comparable to major label releases.
Sidenote: At that time my main goal with my songs was to have them at a good enough production quality to be licensed for film and television. I’ve actually managed to succeed with this twice so far. One contract with a prominent LA firm I ripped up — as it turned out they wanted too much. They didn’t even want me to sell my songs on i-tunes for example. They asked for me to give up a lot — to possibly have a song in a reality show or soap. Forget it! And my other (still ongoing) contract is with a film that is pending. The producers are also getting financing together. It’s a major Hollywood film that I hope sees the light of day. My song will be in it. In that situation the deal is non exclusive. Very artist friendly.
CBC Radio?
Over the past 18 months or so I’ve managed to complete 3 songs with Gary’s guidance. You can stream 2 of them here and the 3rd one is available as a free song download if you sign up for my newsletter.
The next catalyst to alter my situation was that I got in touch with CBC radio. The head of the music library there is a really cool guy — and we talked a bit on the phone. He had listened to 2 of my songs and really thought they would do well on CBC.
However, he also suggested that I need to release an EP (short album) or album in order to give them a “story” to frame things for radio.
This discussion occurred about 4 weeks ago. So here I am — in the midst of crowdfunding my album!
Mary and I are learning as we go. We immediately booked a local church for a fundraiser. It’s on Friday, Dec. 12 at 7:15pm at Kingston Rd. United Church (975 Kingston Rd.)
The event starts with a 45 minute Zumba class led by Mary. If you don’t already know, Zumba is a kick ass dance fitness class peppered with latin and world beat dance music. It’s so much fun! And an incredible workout. Muscles worked from head to toe, core, cardio, timing, balance, coordination and endorphins out the roof 🙂 Very very cool music.
After that I’ll be performing a mini concert for 25 minutes or so. There will also be light snacks available and some fun and inexpensive “stocking stuffers” donated by our friend Audrey. Everything from slippers to cookie jars, etc.
All the proceeds will go toward the funding of my album due out in March 2015. The ultimate goal is $2000 which means we may be crowd funding as an ongoing process. However, any money we raise will help!
Some of the costs incurred in the creation of my album are some of the engineering and mastering, a session drummer, CD manufacturing and artwork along with a video for one of the songs.
Since I’m doing the bulk of the leg work myself we’re able to keep the costs quite low. Probably less than half of what most artists starting out pay production companies to do for them.
And yes — I feel as if I’m starting out! I feel that this is the first real opportunity I’ve had to really be heard. To be myself. And to pull together the necessary resources.
It seems all the club dates, CD’s, commercial gigs, open mics, studio work and teaching guitar lessons, etc. in the past were simply a very long and self financed artist development. I’m ready to bring my Soul to this world!
Final Thoughts On Crowdfunding My Album
Crowdfunding my album will probably end up being an ongoing process. Mary and I put this local event together in a very short time. Everyone there knows who I am. As I move forward with the album I may utilize online resources for crowdfunding. I feel like the skills and the confidence I’ve developed from putting this event together will really be helpful with the online crowdfunding tools. It will be challenging in a different way because nobody really knows who I am. But because of this event — and all the legwork I did on my own prior to this event — I’ll have a cool and interesting story for people to get excited about. Stay tuned!