Jade MacRae

I've always considered myself very lucky to make a life and a living out of making music. Two years ago I decided to try and take that even further by starting a new, independent, self funded, recording project, which would eventually come to be named, Dune.

The first step was to build a studio in which to record, a task undertaken by my husband (and partner in crime) Harley and I. We spent 3 months working til all hours, building rooms, plastering, painting sanding, even building a custom studio desk to house all the equipment which we went about buying. The result is an amazing recording space. I wrote, and we recorded the whole first EP for Dune there, with some legendary friends and musicians (Moses MacRae, Luke Hodgson, Davey Lane, Richard Stolz) It was one of the happiest times of my life, being able to create freely, without boundaries or restrictions, without second guessing myself on my musical choices.

Two years on, and the first EP has been released, and so far those who have heard it seem to be enjoying it and i've been lucky enough to have some praise and endorsements from the music media too. Here's a sample of the first two singles, and the videos we made to go with them;

Shoestring - Dune debut single

Oh Innocence

One of the most exciting parts about the project so far has been translating the songs to a live setting - a three piece where I sing and play synths, and Luke Hodgson plays bass and Leigh Fisher plays drums.

Here's a link to us in rehearsal;

Dune rehearsal

Those of you who are familiar with the Australian music industry will be aware of how challenging it can be to get your music off the ground from this big isolated barren island! When an opportunity to play in the UK comes up, you sure as hell want to take it! Dune has been invited to play at The Great Escape Festival in May 2013 - it's a huge showcase for new and emerging bands and artists from all over the world. The line up is massive, and it's an honour to have been invited. Check it out here; The Great Escape Festival

We've been booked to play the festival and also some side shows in Brighton (where the festival is held) and London.

The trouble is, i've completely tapped out all my resources on the project, investing close to $100,000 of my own money so far if you include the building of the studio. I'm flat out of money to put in, but I desperately want to take this trip to showcase my music beyond our shores. To make things more challenging, the shows are only a month away. 

I've budgeted the trip's total cost  $14,000; 

4 X airfares Melbourne - London return.

Basic accommodation for people 4 for two weeks.

Car rental for two weeks.

Food/fuel/extras. 

I'm throwing it open here on Pozible to try and raise $10,000 which will cover our airfares and accommodation for most of the trip. The remaining $4,000 which will cover car hire, and London expenses and extras is my personal challenge for the next four weeks - i've been working as a nanny and an office/sales job part time for the past two years to supplement my income as a musician and keep things self funded. I'll be pulling out all stops over the next four weeks to do everything and anything to get that money raised!

In short - this trip is a huge opportunity for me and my music, and will help gain international exposure in a fiercely competitive musical landscape. Me and the band are rearing to go and have been honing the live show over the last 6 months. It would be very sad not to be able to take up this invite. If you can contribute to taking us to the next level, please pledge what you can and know that you will be investing in the future of a very passionate and committed independent maker of music.

Something for you; 

I spent the day in the studio we built, making a new song loosely based around trying to get to the UK, check out Harley and I in the studio here; Beware The Gaze Of Ghosts

And download it for free here; Free Song Download

Thank you for taking the time to read, listen and watch, and please pass this on any music supporters you know who may feel compelled to get involved.

Stay in touch;

www.facebook.com/thisisdune

www.twitter.com/thisisdune

www.soundcloud.com/this-is-dune

http://thisisdune.tumblr.com/