In July 2012, I went into the studio to start work on my debut solo album, titled "Fits and Starts" (my sixth ever release as a songwriter). Four months later, I had what I considered my most relevant collection of songs, beautifully recorded and mastered sitting in my anxious little hands. I spent a huge amount of time, energy and passion (not to mention whatever money I had) making this recording. NOW I NEED YOUR HELP TO FINISH AND SHARE IT.

This campaign is to raise funds to complete the artwork, manufacture and promotion of my album; to help my music reach those I so eagerly desire to connect with.

ABOUT THE ALBUM

The album shares a title with one of its tracks, a song that was written during the recording process. It was a reaction to the waves and bursts in which the songs had come to me. But that was not the way I expected things to happen...

I toured extensively as a musician for around 6-months around the end of 2011/beginning of 2012, playing and singing for other artists (including Tim Freedman as part of his band "The Idle" and in the theatrical production "The Rock Show" starring Jon English). I came home and decided it was time to reconnect with my own music and allow myself some writing space. Plus I had plenty of intense experiences over the last few years to fuel my creative fire!

So for the first time ever, I purposely took time out just to WRITE, which is something I've never done before. In the past, I've managed to create in the time around everything else that's going on. But I felt like I owed it to myself - everything I do hinges on this process. The songs are what give you the connection to your audience and give you purpose. They are the foundation for all life as a musician. So I gave up everything else I was doing (including a career in mental health promotion) to realise my dream. And then I sat and pondered... and waited... and waited some more. Then slowly, haphazardly, the songs came.

I wrote a blog piece about this enlightening process as part of my "Musatorium": a collection of thoughts and inspirations, which you can view HERE.

My travels around Australia and the UK since my last recording have impacted on me deeply. Relaying travel stories through photos and words is just not the same as being there in the moment with someone. So I've been trying to recreate some of those moments using music.

All in all, I think the songs have ended up carrying a bit of my entire experience and ultimately, I think that's what an album should represent - capturing a snapshot of a moment in time and saying "this is me, for all I am, here and now".

All of the recording, mixing and mastering has been completed (courtesy of my extraordinarily talented friend and producer Gareth Hudson of Hazy Cosmic Jive Studios, some incredible musicians and acclaimed mastering engineer Don Bartley). I now need some help to cross the finish line - by completing the artwork, manufacture and promotion of my album.

 

I'm lucky enough to have my friend and super talented designer Heath Killen working on this project. Heath and I have worked together since around 2005. He has a real knack for taking my music and transposing it to the visual. You can see some of the work he has done for me HERE.

BUDGET BREAKDOWN

Artwork/graphic design completion : $2000
CD print and press: $2500
Promotion and reach (tour promotion costs, poster design and print, online and print media advertising: $4500
Admin costs (stationary, postage etc): $500

Should there be any funds left over, they will be put towards creating a music video to promote the first single off the album.