Ben Mitchell

******* UPDATE! *******

We MADE IT!

Thank you everyone who pledged. You guys made this thing happen!

If you didn't get a chance to and would like to pre-order a copy of the 'New Summer Record' you can still be part of the team bringing new music to life by ordering your advance copy from Paypal.

For 'Champion Credit' REWARD (CD + advance download + BIG 'Thank You' credit on sleeve art - $50) click HERE.

For simple pre-order (including delivery - $30) of CD copy of album click HERE.

Ta,
Ben


*****
Music.

To bring new music into the world. That's why I'm here. And I don't just mean on this Pozible page, I mean this planet. I even have an affirmation that flashes up on my phone everyday:

"I give my life to song."


ABOVE: Every one of the 17 tracks on current album, Chance To Love has been played on radio (without a record company, manager, plugger or publicist)

Yeah, I've done other stuff—written and published a couple of novels, acted a bit on TV, stage and film—but I always come back to writing songs. Almost every day. That's why I'm here; why I'm crowdfunding: since releasing my current album (each of the 17 tracks receiving radio play across the country and internationally) I've written a tonne of songs.

My project is: To record a new album of what I believe are the best songs I've ever written. I have a new band (put together to tour my last album) and they are AWESOME musicians with heaps of experience and heart (Andy Taite on Double Bass/Electric Bass, Adrian Gardiner on Electric Guitar/BVs and Glenn Maynard on Drums/Interpretative Dance). My goal is to build on the success (moderate or otherwise) of my current album by releasing a new album in time for summer.

With your help.

And I don't want something for nothing. You can get your name on the 'New Summer Record' (working title), have it delivered to you (physically and digitally) before anyone else gets it. You can also choose from other physical and service rewards including my back catalogue of CDs (and two novels), Worldwide Business Promotion, live gigs (1 already gone, 4 left) and bespoke songwriting (I have written songs for couples getting married, a charity, and a couple of businesses too).

ABOVE: Yes (demo version of song I am considering for 'New Summer Record').

Early support and positive feedback from people who have already pledged inspired me to write this new song, Yes! (on Wed 16th Sept). I then went and shot a video and I thought it might give an idea of how your involvement can have other unexpected positive results. Hope you enjoy!

Guess it comes down to whether you like my music already and/or are willing to take a punt on my next album. To help you decide here's some video's of songs from Chance To Love, my current album. Followed beneath by some live-to-air acoustic versions of a few of the songs destined for the 'New Summer Record'.

ABOVE: Chance To Love (featuring The Stylists, my new band who will record on the new album)

ABOVE: Undone. Music video filmed in Healesville, Victoria, Australia.

ABOVE: Mea Culpa (performed live on 3RRR's Breakfasters show)

ABOVE: Beautiful Mess (shot this in Yarra Valley. Foxtel have shown it a few times)

WHAT'S THE 'NEW SUMMER RECORD' - ALBUM - GOING TO BE LIKE?
Glad you asked. There will definitely be a 'summer' theme/vibe; at least one of the songs has 'summer' in the title (Summer Lover) and another song called Ocean Road is shaping up to be an anthemic ode to Oz. The style will be indie-pop with a tilt of the hat to alt-country (in terms of acoustic guitar sounds, slide guitar, harmonies and the simplicity of a lot of the songs). I recently went into 3 PBS FM radio to perform a few of the new songs live on Acid Country. They're a bit rough and ready but you can get an idea of the melody, structure and heart of the songs.

Down To Earth, Worth Lovin' and The Man are all looking like making it onto the New Summer Record.



WHY IS IT IMPORTANT?
My current album has been very successful on community radio and a few national players too—ABC RN, ABC Melbourne and Triple J. To capitalise on that success it is important to release something new and continue to build relationships with the DJs who’ve played Chance To Love.

Also, I think new original music is important simply for the health and vitality of our community. And in this digital age I think crowd-funding might just be a great way to build community through music, and to create bonds and respect between audience and creator and vice versa.

WHERE DID THE IDEA COME FROM?
The songs I am recording for this new album came from all sorts of inspiration. The idea to do a Pozible project to create the album came after I went to an information evening and learnt that it is not about asking for money, it’s about giving rewards for pledges, sharing an experience and creating something in a new way. That sounded like fun to me. And a way for me to continue creating.

WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO ME?
Exposing my plan and dream at this early stage—being a bit more vulnerable—means the possible emotional reward beyond that of creating a new album alone can be much greater. The possibility of feeling the energy of an audience cheering you on before you’ve even stepped out on stage is exciting and means a lot to me.

What makes this NEW album project so different for me is creating it with you.








This project will build on the knowledge and success I built and achieved with my last album, Chance To Love.

Since Chance To Love came out, every one of the 17 songs has been played on radio stations across Australia. I released it independently and, in doing so, learnt so much about how to make a self-release a success. From finding the best Mastering Engineer to the most cost-effective and reliable CD duplication and printing, to how to get your album played on radio and how to get gigs at major festivals.

IN SUMMARY...

WHY AM I DOING THIS PROJECT?
To create an amazing new record with a team of positive people as part of the process.

Yes, you can record cheaply these days—and I have done so many times—but going into a professional recording studio costs money. The budget for this NEW album is $20,000. The majority will be spent recording with musicians (a few offering services for free, others paid session players), professional engineer and professional producer. I’ve invested $5,000 of my own and am on Pozible to raise the remaining $15,000. The entire budget will be spent on the following:

Every project I've set out to achieve and completed—3 albums, 2 EPs, 2 published novels, produced plays and more—has brought with it challenges. Whatever emerges with this one, I will face and handle as I have with the previous albums (and two novels) I have written and produced.

For me, once I've committed to a project I do it.