Background

Back in 2013, I never expected to become a singer.  I was one of those people who would sing to the radio, or whenever it suited me, because it brightened my day.  I've always loved music for as long as I can remember.  One day last year, I had the idea for lyrics to a song, and knowing that my husband used to compose and play professionally, I wrote those lyrics down on the back of a receipt and gave it to him, asking, "Can you turn this into a song for me?"  He hadn't touched a musical instrument or worked in that field for about 16 years.  What happened next was magical, and my first single release, "Mosaic" was born.  (iTunes Store)

The reviews that were conducted on both "Mosaic" and my second release, "Voice Prints," were truly inspiring, and I've gathered a modest following of over 16,000 fans in a few months and my music is now on the radio all over the world, from FM stations in the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom, to internet and college radio in Greece and elsewhere (see my News roll).

Samples of my singles:

I've done well on ReverbNation as a new artist, reaching #1 status in the charts multiple times and I've reached the low 40's in the national charts within my genre with little marketing.  Late last year, I signed an agreement with an Indie record label, Aurovine (Blackpool, United Kingdom), to  represent me ethically in the marketplace.

The Album

I'm now pursuing this dream full-time, working on an album entitled "Time & Faces" to be released in the Spring of 2014.  It will be released both digitally and physically.  This album is important to me, because it's a musical and emotional journey that covers key events and people in my life that either inspired me or forever etched a powerful memory in my mind.  So far, the music I've created has touched the lives of many on an emotional level, and I hope to continue to create pieces that stir and impact the lives of others.

Raw album sample track:

My music is different, as we produce everything ourselves from our home studio with professional quality, an investment we made ourselves last year to pursue this passion together.  I sing from the heart, and we compose music based solely on emotions, crafting a journey that embodies the message I'm trying to convey with each piece.  The sample above (Camouflaged Soul) is a raw, unmastered and unmixed preview of what I'm working on for the album, and we have many more songs that are currently under production.  It's hard work, and it takes time.  The song above, for instance, tells the story of a soldier returning home to his spouse as a completely different person due to their experiences with war.  This happened to me, so I can sing this piece from the heart.  The other songs on the album have a deep and personal meaning for me, as well.

The Artwork

For my single "Mosaic" we hired a local artist, Wendi Keels.  I have hired her once more to start the design process on the cover of the album, but I have many other pieces that will need to be created:

• The inside covers and artwork for the physical copies and digital distribution
• An artist Facebook banner to promote the album when the time for public release draws near
• Branding for my music so that fans, potential fans, other artists, and producers can easily identify me with the work I create

We are all working through the initial design process to create a magical and appropriate cover for "Time & Faces" that will emotionally reach out to those who glance at my work, intriguing those who do not know me (and those that do) to listen to my work.

My Plan and the Impact

As a new and established independent artist, I've developed trust with my fans and a solid track record of producing music with emotional impact (see full bio).  My recent agreement with Aurovine solidifies my commitment to this art and I'm excited to take this bold new step to produce an album that will take my career to the next level.  I have music reviewers and other radio stations that have been unable to work with me over the past year due to the lack of an album, and now that hurdle will be overcome.

The funding of this small project will greatly assist me in making others aware of the upcoming album through visual imagery, and it will provide me with the materials to market my music properly across an array of venues to maximize the impact I'll have in an already distracting world.  Not only does this support my efforts, but the efforts of Wendi (our artist) and any additional artists we subcontract with.

Project Breakdown

• $450 (est.) for cover art and promotional art
• $300 (est.) for personal branding to be included in all communications and on all albums
  

I'm taking a modular approach to crowdfunding, as I don't want to put all of my eggs in one basket.  In the coming weeks and months, I may post additional, smaller project chunks for funding this album, such as:

• Costs to produce the physical CDs
• Marketing of the album
• Mastering the album
  

Other Ways You Can Help

Thank you for your interest and taking the time to read about my story and watch my video!  I've been blessed with the amount of support I've received to date with this journey, and I would ask that you help me by spreading the word about my campaign, sharing this on Facebook and other social media sites, and to contribute what you can.  Every step forward is a step closer to realizing this goal.

You can follow me directly on Facebook, and I will post updates regarding this campaign and others as we proceed in the coming weeks and months.