About Me

I am J.R. Rhodes, a Seattle-based singer/songwriter and I love music. Although I have many and varying influences, my 'sound', if you will, has often been likened to folks like Joan Armatrading and Bill Withers. I first started playing music on keyboards when I was 10 in the keyboard lab at Laurelhurst Elementary School in Seattle, WA. I later went on to study music composition at Wesleyan University in Middletown, CT. I have released 5 recordings on my own label to date. I believe that music heals and that love is real. It's my sincere focus to broadcast love to the world via the vehicle of music, an often tricky feat in challenging times. Still my focus and intention nonetheless is to inspire others.

About the Album

I Am  is about being true to who we are & sharing our story. It's my belief that sharing our story is one of our greatest contributions. It's through this sharing that we build connection, community and hopefully compassion, towards a greater understanding of each other. I Am is very much inspired and coloured by experiencing the loss of my core family - my parents and my two sisters - and the personal journey through those losses to find the courage to make my way back to myself as a more mindful and compassionate focused human and musician. This album is a collection of 10 original songs. I tend to see them as reflections, new understandings of life as a result of coming to terms with the loss of my core family. I Am is me sharing my story in hopes of inspiring others to share their story.

The Campaign

The first phase of this project, recording the album, has been completed. I had the good fortune to record at Stone Gossard's (Pearl Jam) Studio Litho and Crackle & Pop! Recording Studio, part-owned by Johnny Sangster. The album was produced by Johnny Sangster and includes core band players: Jeff Fielder, guitar (Mark Lanegan), Dan Walker, keyboards (Anne Wilson), Keith Lowe (Fiona Apple) and Mike Stone (Wayne Horvitz).

And now the second phase, which is promoting the album to a wider audience. I Am is already off to a great start with the first single, 'Your Pillow' recently a Starbucks featured song. 'Lay the Worry Down', the second track can now be heard at REI, American Apparel, Eddie Bauer, St. Regis Hotels worldwide and more. I Am is scheduled for release in the fall of 2017. Your contribution to my goal will enable me to promote the new album to a wider audience by producing two music videos and going on tour in The Netherlands. Last spring I completed a US West Coast tour with Lily Kiara, a singer/songwriter based out of the Netherlands. I plan to tour The Netherlands in 2018 with Lily. My focus on this tour is for new connections and inspiration. In addition to touring, creating two music videos for the first two singles is on the docket as well with a director already donating their time and talents in support of the new album.

Your contribution will ensure I am able to do the following:

*2 Music Videos

*2 Week Netherlands Tour

*Promotion Campaigns (Social Media and Traditional)

*Incentive Production Costs

*Taxes + Fees

With crowdfunding campaigns, as with any creative venture, there is the possibility of risks and challenges. In my experience as an independent artist, my approach is to hold myself accountable to honour your support as promised and to communicate status updates.

Other Ways You Can Help

Everything counts. Besides monetary contributions there are other ways you can help:

• In Kind Donations of Products and Services are welcome!                                                                              (Please email: inkind@jrrecordingco.com)
• Please spread the word to family & friends. Use the Indiegogo share tools!

Thank you!