The release of my new album Fruit of Hope marks 20 years of my work as a grassroots singer and songwriter for social change. This campaign is a call to the dynamic community I have gathered throughout these years to help me birth my latest creation, my prayer for justice and healing, Fruit of Hope, into the world. We are seeking $5000 to contribute to promote our album nationally and internationally through music videos, tours, promo materials and advertising.
Starting at the age of 16, I began traveling around the country sharing struggle and resistance songs. In 2006, my current project, Taina Asili y la Banda Rebelde, was formed, a social justice focused multilingual energetic fusion of Afro-Latin, reggae and rock sounds, inspiring listeners to dance to the rhythm of rebellion. For the past 8 years we have embarked on self-produced, grassroots tours bringing songs of love, resistance, and ancestral remembrance, as well as powerful social justice songwriting writing workshops, to venues, festivals, conferences, community centers and schools across the nation. In 2010 we proudly released our self-produced debut album War Cry. All this would not have been possible without the powerful support of our community offering everything from a place to sleep, a meal to eat, or child care - and we have endless gratitude for you.
After 4 years of working hard touring and saving money we went into the studio last fall to record our new album Fruit of Hope. This album features 12 new multilingual tracks carrying listeners even farther into visions of a world of justice, including the addition of a horn section and acclaimed guest artists from around the world such as: internationally renowned poet Naima Penniman; Chicago based multi-talented poet/emcee Michael Reyes; Melbourne, Australia based Brazilian vocalist Eliane Pinheiro; and Northern Indian Classical tabla percussionist Devesh Chandra
With the soft launch of Fruit of Hope in August, we have already begun to experience positive feedback from those who have seen us perform our new material and had a chance to listen to the album. In order to bring our music to the national stage we are gearing up to do a large scale release of Fruit of Hope beginning this spring, and are calling upon our familia, fans, friends and comrades to support us in staying true to our values, our art and heart, by keeping our music revolutionary and in our hands. Though we have self-funded the recording and pressing of the album, this campaign seeks to gather the rest of the funds necessary to release this album to the world. We are seeking $5000 to contribute to the funds for the promotion of the album including our spring and summer US and European tour, music videos, promotional materials and advertising, so that we can send our music and message as far as possible.
Our campaign offers our backers a unique opportunity to support a distinctive and powerful model of connecting art and social change. These songs are a reflection of my organizing work in prisoner justice, feminist, indigenous rights, environmental justice, and holistic health movements. Over the past 20 years I have witnessed the power of music to create transformation, inspiring individuals and communities to break barriers, reclaim power and unite. Not only do we perform at traditional music venues and festivals, we also offer our music and workshops to demonstrations, social justice conferences and schools. In addition, our workshops seek to pass down the legacy of songwriting as a powerful tool of resistance.
To show our appreciation for your support we are offering some great rewards, from a signed copy of our new album to an individual songwriting or guitar lesson. With your support we will we can fulfill our dreams of bringing our music for change, our Fruit of Hope around the world.