Lachlan Hawkins

My debut studio handpan album "No Enemy Within" is on it's way and I need your support! 

Hi everyone, Lachlan Hawkins here - I'm a drummer, handpan artist, songwriter and educator based in Brisbane. After years of performing as a drummer/percussionist and being part of some incredibly fulfilling musical projects as a sideman, it's time for me to step out and release my debut studio album. This project sees me moving away from the drums to explore - for the first time - my own voice as a songwriter together with the incredible sounds of the handpan as well as some of Australia’s finest young musicians.

I'm currently in the final stages of wrapping up this project but I'm after your support in helping me get over the line with mastering and touring costs. With this support, I'll be in the best position to release the highest quality product and reach more people with my handpan music.

Inspiration for the Project

"No Enemy Within" is inspired by the following African proverb: "Where there is no enemy within, the enemy outside can do us no harm." I first heard these words when listening to one of the most powerful speakers in the world, Les Brown, and they deeply resonated with me. These words speak of the internal dialogue we often have with ourselves, the anxiety and fear that exists in the world today and the need for us to have self-acceptance and kindness now more than ever.

Through the handpan, I've been able to find a space where I can explore this self-acceptance, where I can reach for things outside my comfort zone, and where I can explore my thoughts and emotions through songwriting. What I've also found is that this instrument has a profound ability to connect and heal others. I've seen these many times throughout my involvement with the music therapy initiative called the 'Stairwell Project' and through my recent travels as a handpan player.

These are the main reasons that I feel now is the time to release this music that means so much to me. This album carries an uplifting message that I feel the world needs to hear.

The Recording Process 

This project began in 2015 when I reached out to a great friend and renowned producer Steve Thornely, and asked if he'd be interested in collaborating together on a handpan album. We had briefly worked together in the past and I absolutely loved the way he pushed me musically to create the best outcome in the studio. 

Now it's 2018 and all I can say is what an incredibly fulfilling, scary, patient, ambitious, exciting experience this has been for me. Many friends have asked, "How's the album coming along?" (perhaps curious as to why it would take 2+ years to create a record!) and I can firmly say that I've needed this time in order to better understand what I want to say with my music.

Each song has really been a process in itself, and each song has taken on a different journey in terms of production, instrumentation and mainly with the role and approach of how we use the handpan. It is an instrument still in its early stages as an artform, so Steve and I needed to experiment and create our own recording techniques and our own samples and soundscapes, which has been incredibly exciting! We've learnt so much about how the handpan responds in the studio, and which sounds and instruments complement it best. 

Ultimately, through this process, I have learnt so much about myself and I've been able to get to the core of understanding what my music means and the message I want to share with the world as an artist.

The Musicians 

This album marks the first time that I've really been in charge of my own music, and also the first time that I've directed other musicians to put their stamp on my music. The special guest musicians that feature on the album are world-class and I'm so grateful for all the time and energy they have invested into this project. Together with Steve Thornely's vision and attention-to-detail, these guys have absolutely brought this music to life. I think you're going to absolutely love what you hear!

Personnel:

Lachlan Hawkins - Saraz Handpans, Pi Handpan, voice, drums & percussion

and very special guests: 

Sophie Min - piano 

Tsoof Baras - handpan 

Olivia Chindamo - voice 

Jo Davie - voice 

Daniel Lopez - violin 

Simon Svoboda - cello

Recorded & Produced by Steve Thornely at Palace Studios (July 2015 - February 2018)

As you can imagine, the costs involved with the creation of this album have been quite substantial, especially given the lengthy timeline of recording. Up to this point, I have self-funded the album including all of the studio hire / producing costs, paying the incredible musicians who feature on the album, and the artwork and promotion associated with the release.

However, I would really value your contribution in helping me to get over the line, especially in funding mastering and touring costs. 

Here's the current breakdown of the album costs:

Album tracking, mixing, featured musicians & studio hire (July 2015-March 2018): $7400

Album featured photography & video: $1700
CD printing (500x discs): $1500
CD Design & Artwork: $1500
Mastering: $1200
Touring Costs (venue hire, featured musicians & travel): $1600

Pozible costs (rewards, postage, service fees): $750

Total = $15,650

The two key challenges that I foresee if this campaign is unsuccessful: 

• I risk not being able to fund the mastering costs - although I love how the tracks are sounding at the moment, this mastering process would add that extra 10% of professionalism & quality to the album, which would greatly support me in reaching out to bigger audiences, festivals, radio, etc in the future :)

• Without this financial support, I would also be unable to get this album out to a wider audience and would therefore need to simplify my album launch plans (e.g. playing some solo shows instead of touring with the musicians who featured on the album). Being an independant release and my first as a solo artist, promotion certainly plays a huge part so I would greatly appreciate your support in helping me spread the word to as many people as I can! 

I need to raise $3,500 in 30 days - if this target isn't reached, the project will not be funded. I'm confident that I can reach this goal however I do need your support. There are some wonderful rewards available in exchange for contributing to the project, from signed copies of the album, artwork, lessons, house concerts and much more! (please scroll down the right sidebar to see the full list of rewards).

I can't wait to celebrate the release of "No Enemy Within". It's been an incredible journey and I'd like to acknowledge all the incredible people in my life - especially my close friends, family and musical mentors - who have helped me so much to get to this point.

Thanks so much for taking the time to read about this project - I would LOVE it if you could please share this campaign with your friends, family and social networks and help spread the word in any way you can. If you want to stay further updated, head on over to one of my social media pages:

Facebook

Instagram

YouTube

Bandcamp

or you can contact me via [email protected]

Let's make this happen!

Lachlan :)