***UPDATE: I am very excited to say that together I was able to reach (and far surpass!) my original goal... I am SO happy and grateful to all those who have supported by pre-ordering my album or making extra contributions... Thank you!!! This crowdfunder has now reached its end. However, this page will still remain live, and will now act as a shop. So you can still pre-order my album (or any of the other perks) via this page... Some lovely things are on offer - I would love you to take a look around! Thank you for supporting independent music xx ***
Hello…
Thank you for being here ❤ and for showing interest in my project.
For those of you who don't know me... I'm Michele, a London-based singer-songwriter, musician, mum and lover of all things creative. I enjoy having the opportunity to connect with others through lyrics, music, song and art… this is an important part of my life and really fills me up.
I am currently working on my third studio album, 'Invitation', which I'm planning to release in September this year.
INTRODUCTION TO MY MUSICAL JOURNEY:
My initial introduction to music came through my family. I remember from a very early age, in Trinidad where I was born, and then later in New York, all of us gathered around the stereo singing classic songs, crying together and becoming closer through it. This still happens to this day - my mum sings us songs all the time …
When I was 14, my brother, Romeo, taught me a few chords on the guitar... this was the beginning of something that has become a big part of who I am. Growing up, writing songs was a way (and still is) to have a voice - to visit, process and reflect on all the feelings and experiences that I encountered… and, for a painfully shy girl, it quickly became a lifeline.
I was later introduced to the bass guitar, which I became obsessed with… I would take it to bed every night and practice till the early hours! My brother and I started playing together every night at home and soon started writing songs together. We later formed a band with two of our best friends (another pair of siblings - Sean and Angela) and we became THE MAGIC NUMBERS. Fast forward and we’re singing, playing, releasing records and touring around the world… Our band has stood true to who we are and creating the music we love... and we’ve been doing that now for more than 2 decades!
With encouragement from my family and band, I've released 2 solo albums so far 'Wide Eyed Crossing' (2012) and 'Pieces' (2016), and also started touring solo as well as with The Magic Numbers. This has played an important role in establishing me as a solo artist/ singer-songwriter in my own right. I have since made many beautiful connections with people who have related to my songs in some way… These moments have given me the strength and purpose to continue writing and releasing my songs into the world.
In more recent years, I’ve also been involved with many other musical projects: accompanying, co-writing, collaborating with other artists, as well as musically directing special one-off shows. I've co-produced all my solo albums to date, and lately, I've also been getting into music production for other artists, which I really enjoy. For more information, the artists I've worked with or projects I've been a part of - you can visit my website www.michelestodart.com
PROJECT - NEW ALBUM:
I am very excited to finally share this new album that I’ve been working on for (what has ended up being) a few years now! Plans for the release were originally delayed due to the Covid pandemic, as well as some life-changing personal circumstances I had to overcome.
These past few years have been a real time of change, growth and transformation for me, and the songs on the album reflect on some of these experiences... I'm now ready to take that brave step and release this album out into the world... and equally be released from it.
So what do you think? Might you be up for being a part of theses final stages with me - and turning this long time project and dream into a physical reality?
INVITATION:
The album is called ‘Invitation’ - it is an intimate, personal record, with songs that touch on themes of motherhood, relationships, mental health, transformation, endings and new beginnings.
It comes from a place of inviting in the darkness, the hard times, the sadness, anger, loss, love and grief... all of the unknown feelings that get woken up inside you. To practice staying with them, no matter how uncomfortable. To understand that they are trying to tell you something… and that ultimately it’s ok to feel these emotions, even if you can't make any sense of them.
I believe that it’s in the learning and listening that we can transform, grow, stay conscious and wholeheartedly true, open, honest with ourselves and others. Words are a powerful resource and we can choose to use them to connect deeply with one another. Song-writing has always been my way of trying to do just that, and I hope this album 'invites' us to reach out together.
Album Instrumentation, Musicians & Collaborators:
The album has already been recorded and there are some incredibly talented musicians involved, bringing their musical creativity to the songs:
Romeo Stodart - Piano
Andy Bruce - Piano
Alice Phelps - Harp
Will Harvey - Violin & Viola
CJ Jones - Drums
Nick Pini - Double Bass
Joe Harvey-Whyte - Pedal Steel
Dave Izumi Lynch - Synths
Me - Vocals, Guitars, Bass & Percussion
- The album was recorded and mixed at Echo Zoo Studios in Eastbourne by Dave Izumi Lynch who has been an integral part to the sound and journey of this album.
- I am very fortunate to be working with the extremely talented artist, Joni Belaruski, who is creating some beautiful artwork for the album.
BUT there are still a few more stages that need to happen in order for me to be able to actually release all of these ‘behind the scenes’ creations out into the world! So here I am asking for you to be a part of the community. I would very much appreciate your involvement and contributions toward this project.
COMMUNITY:
I have always grown up with the mindset to never ask for help, to always manage privately on my own, fearful of becoming a burden to others… Similarly with showing vulnerability, pain or discomfort - it just wasn’t done. Undoing this has been a big life lesson for me… Over the years I’ve learnt so much - through building a community of friends and hanging out with fellow musicians and music lovers and doing a lot more of my solo and collaborative projects in a grassroots kind of way. There have been so many relationships, connections and opportunities that have come from just sharing, honestly and openly in conversation about where I’m at. My hope and dream with this album is to keep making these connections and building community.
After all, we’re all in this together, right?!
In November 2020 I took my first leap into connecting with my followers on a deeper level via the Patreon platform. This was a huge turning point for me with my music. It has not only enabled build a supportive community that I can connect more directly with, but has also given me the space and encouraged me to pursue other growing interests such as poetry and music production.
With help from my Patrons, I have been able to mix and master this album. For that I am very grateful. This album has been a beautiful and, at times, quite difficult journey. But every time I reached a low with it, I was encouraged by my supporters and reminded of its importance within my musical and personal journey.
WHAT WE NEED:
This album will be a self-release... I'm already half-way there having finished the recording, mixing and mastering... but there are still some very important final stages necessary for this album to be released into the world – your contributions and pre-orders will help make this happen:
- Manufacturing: This is the next big step! Being a record lover and believer in having a physical piece of work to not just listen to, but to also hold and cherish. The plan is to release this album on both CD & Vinyl (as well as digital)… and hopefully also a special limited edition run of coloured vinyl!
- Album Artwork: I'm so grateful to the incredibly talented and creative Joni Belaruski, who has been working on the artwork with me, coming up with different unique images for each song. This is becoming a beautiful body of visual work that I am equally excited to share with you …in some of the potentially fun and creative ways listed here, including limited edition prints and special unique pieces.
- Music Videos: I've been chatting to some very talented people and am hoping to create some interesting visual content and videos and for the album... more to be revealed soon!
- Lyric, Artwork & Poetry Book: I would really love to create a book to share the lyrics, artwork, as well as some of my poetry and other writings relating to the themes of the album and maybe some of the stories behind the songs.
- PR: We need this to help with publicity and spreading the word about the album – I would love for the songs to reach as many people as possible (I appreciate any help you can give with this also, on a grassroots level... word of mouth is the best.. tell your friends, share the music!). It really does go a long way.
WHAT YOU GET:
I'm so excited to be offering a range of perks as described here in return for your contributions... You can select anything from a digital download of the songs, signed copies of the album on CD or vinyl format, a copy of lyric book and limited edition prints of the album artwork... There are also some fun bundles bringing together a selection of these perks, plus some extras thrown in… And there are even unique and exclusive perks, such as specially commissioned artwork or a house show with me!
You can choose the item (or bundle) you want and the level at which you'd like to support. I am SO grateful for anything and everything - as I said, every little helps, and your involvement is what is making this all possible!
WAYS YOU CAN SUPPORT
Whether or not you are able to contribute financially, if you could share the campaign with your loved ones, friends and anyone you feel might be interested, that will help us spread the word far and wide... THANK YOU!!!
Big love ❤
Michele xx
