Amy Vee

MISSION

To finish the recording, mixing and mastering of my second full-length album and release it in both digital and physical formats, supported by radio and video promotion to help share it with as many people as possible.

ABOUT ME

My name is Amy Vee and I'm an independent singer, songwriter and musician from the Newcastle, Australia. I've spent much of my life writing, recording and performing, both on my own and with other established and emerging artists (including Jon English and Tim Freedman). I have played hundreds of gigs, opened for dozens of touring artists (including Newton Faulkner (UK), Luka Bloom (IRE), Mark Seymour (Hunters & Collectors), James Reyne & Daryl Braithwaite) released two albums, three EPs, and multiple singles, and played shows to many and varied audiences. I have a strong work ethic and have played gigs all around Australia (and in other parts of the world) to try and build a connection with people who love music. I've been described as indie, acoustic, alt-pop and other genres. To me, it's just my story in music form. You can find out more about me here. 

ABOUT THE PROJECT

So why am I looking to crowdfund?

I'm more than just an independent artist. I'm completely self-managed and self-funded. I don't have a record label, agent, management or other support to make things happen. Literally EVERYTHING is handled by me, including making the music, performing it, releasing it, promoting it, booking shows and all the business and financial management (with the help of a few family and friends who occassionally donate their time when they can). I nearly always run at a loss because whatever I make from music (and then some) goes straight back into making more music.

What I LOVE about crowdfunding is that YOU essentially become my record label. You invest early, you get rewarded with something of your choosing, as AND you get the satisfaction of supporting homegrown music - it's a feeling like no other!

Crowdfunding is something I've had a positive experience with before. I crowdfunded my debut album through Pozible in 2013. It was such a fulfilling way to connect with people and make the album process collaborative! With the support of some incredible friends and fans, I managed to raise enough money to allow me to complete the album manufacture, printing and distribution. It was a dream campaign – I had an overwhelming response to the new music and to all the rewards.

From previous pledgers:

“Such an honour to contribute to this albums creation... Amy Vee I adore your music.” 

“A true artist! A stellar collection of wonderfully crafted songs”

From music press:

“Playing songs off her debut solo album, Fits And Starts, the beautifully arranged tracks left the near capacity crowd in no doubt that this would be an album to watch out for, and one which will hopefully launch Amy to an even wider audience.” – themusic.com.au

From radio:

“Absolutely beautiful” – Triple J

"... a truly exceptional songwriter very much in control of her art" - ABC Radio

A few other facts about the debut album:

•    Album launched in three capital cities, complete with 6-piece band

•    Nomination for 2013 Independent Music Award (Contemporary)

•    Added to rotation on ABC local radio (a network of 60 stations nationwide)

•    Tracks played on Triple J, FBi (Sydney) and 4ZZZ (Brisbane)

•    Feature album on ABC Newcastle

This year, I was lucky enough to be the one artist selected out of nearly 1000 independent artist to win a two-day recording package at the brand new 301 Studios in Sydney. This package allowed me to track two brand new songs and have one of them mixed and mastered in one of the world's top 5 studios. To say I was grateful would be an understatement! Take a look behind the scenes here: 

However, although the two days of studio time was offered for free, I still had to pay all the musicians, my producer for his time and the time spent at his studio, and the costs of producing the music video. The studio time came unexpectedly and I had to find money rather quickly to make it happen.

To complete a new album this year and have it reach release stage, there are various costs involved (see the budget breakdown below) that are simply out of my reach.

Your contributions will allow me to complete the artwork, mixing, mastering, music videos, radio promotion, CD and vinyl manufacturing for the album, so that these songs, which have been so beautifully captured, have their best chance of reaching as many people as possible.  

In return, you can get a pre-release copy of the album and potentially a whole bundle of other awesome rewards (check them out in the REWARDS section of this campaign). 

ABOUT THE MUSIC

The two latest songs complete an arsenal of new work I've been focussed on for the last two years. I've approached each song as it's own entity, with it's own story and purpose. It wasn't my intention to write an album, but I've ended up with a fairly solid collection of songs that I think work well both seperately and together. 

The creative process began with a single I released in 2016 called "Ten Years", not long after the passing of my friend and mentor Jon English. The song explored themes of grief, acceptance and the fickleness of time. It was the beginning of an experiment with new sounds too... broadening the scope instrumentally to include some electronic sounds that help convey a sense of urgency, confinement, coldness alongside the more emotive instrumental stuff. I love how these sounds combine and create a different palette for the songs to tell the story. Watch the award-winning music video by filmmaker Tom Hudson here: 

I followed this up with another single called "I Am The Fire", with the message being that when you take ownership of the things designed to bring you down, they lose their power over you. Listen here: 

"Red Desert Heart" is the album's first single; a big, anthemic, shout-out-your-car-window call to step out of your comfort zone and lose yourself in order to find yourself. It attempts to distill that feeling you get when you switch off from the modern world and get back to the things that make you fundamentally happy. The song features orchestra members from Ensemble Apex and a 12 piece vocal ensemble and was the centrepiece of the Studios 301 experience. It was released on 28 August. Watch the music video here:

A yet unreleased song, "Paper and Wood", speaks to the stagnation and frustration that comes with having a creative mind blunted by ill-health, road blocks, false expectation and negativity.

"If Not Now When" is a direct reaction to the mass high school shooting that occurred in Florida, USA in 2018. The verses are vignettes of three victims whose stories struck me... Lives cut senselessly short in a situation that could have been prevented so long ago but for petty politics.

I have a number of other tracks that I'm currently working on in the studio. I don't want to give too much away, but let's just say they will complete the complement. 

Ultimately, I'm proud of how these songs have captured a moment in time, and for me that's the best measure of a great record. But being that it's hard for me to speak objectively about my music, here is a sample of what others have said:

"The track itself is, of course, brilliant. The seasoned singer/songwriter’s latest single is layered with echoes, body percussion and brilliantly complimentary electronica, with an overarching traditional folk tone propelling the track forward – both lyrically and melodically. Each element intertwines so specifically, highlighting both mystery and wonderment, and a new meaning is revealed with each and every listen." 

- Newcastle Mirage

"We loved having Amy at Studios 301 - she has produced some epic sounding tracks" 

- Studios 301

As always, the majority of the production, engineering and mixing (and some killer orchestral scoring) is being handled by my extraordinary friend Gareth Hudson (Hazy Cosmic Jive Studio), with the 301 tracks engineered by Owen Butcher and the album mastered by guru, Steve Smart (Vance Joy, Regurgitator, Midnight Oil, Empire of the Sun). 

With your help, I really hope these songs will reach your ears, minds and hearts in the very near future.

Costs:

Finish tracking, mix and mastering: $4000 

Artwork/photography/masterbrand: $4000
Limited CD and vinyl print and press: $3150 

1 x low budget music video: $2000 

Radio servicing: $900 

Admin costs (stationary, postage, Pozible fees, etc): approx. $1200

Estimated total: $15250

Of this, I am hoping to raise $14,000 via Pozible. 

Any funds raised above the goal will be put aside for future creative projects (of which I hope there will be many!).

Myself and my small team (my partner/manager and a few helping hands) put a lot of planning and contingencies into place when we embark on a project like this, and I'm confident that with the right funding we will be able to deliver something truly rewarding for pledgers and fans in a relatively short time frame.

We've completed what we believe to be a very realistic and acheivable budget based on actual quotes from trusted suppliers and previous experience running a successful crowdfunding campaign. However, we can not account for changes to pricing that may occur during the campaign period.