Yesterday ukulele chanteuse Julia Nunes stopped by the office to share some songs from her forthcoming Kickstarter-funded album. This was right after the Earthquake. We were all freshly shocked, trying to get our bearing after the 5.8 rocked our little building like a tall ship. Yet, rumbling tectonic plates could not keep Ms. Nunes from performing "Stay Awake" for us — a tune you may remember from her instant-classic project video.
After Julia performed the song in a sweaty upstairs corner of our office, we sat around like kids during story time and chatted about life, love and, um, you guessed it, Kickstarter projects. We weren't surprised to learn that, well, Julia knew a helluva lot about running a damn good Kickstarter project.
What ultimately inspired you to use Kickstarter?
Right before I decided to do the album I was on tour and we were barely breaking even every night. My parents sat me down and said, "Hey, we know this is your dream, but maybe you should think about a real job, or trying other things with your life." I was like, "Oh, OK. Alright. I will think about that, parents." Then I did the Kickstarter project and they said, "You know, you're fine. You should continue doing music." Kickstarter basically kept me from getting the adult version of grounded, which is getting a real job.
How did you go about building your project? Any tips or tricks?
There was this guy named Bleu [Editor's Note: He coincidentally, also paid a visit to our offices] and he did a really good job of introducing himself. That was a defining characteristic of my project. It wasn't just a chance to say hi to my existing fans, but also an opportunity to introduce myself to others. It was kind of an excuse to re-introduce myself to people and say, "Hey, these are my credentials. This is what I do. This is me doing it and this is why I deserve your money (laughs). My video was definitely a rip off of Bleu. He had the whole thing — This is what I've done. Here's videos of what I've done. So I just showed things I did. I showed touring with Ben Folds and Ben Keweller. I showed Bonnaroo. I think that helped get my personality out to people and get them interested in the project
We are still in the studio. We are near the tail end, but we still need to sequence the 18 songs, master them and then I have to name it. It's getting down to the wire. Titles usually just comes to me but it is not. Then, time for album art and getting all the rewards out — the t-shirts, the ukuleles. I've got 12 ukulele's to test and ship!
Comments
very cool!
George Harrison liked ukuleles too!
Julia has so much personality and warmth. I suspect she'll achieve whatever she sets her mind to.
Beautiful...listen to that....would freaking donate all over again in a second! <3
Personally I think the album should be called KICKSTARTER. Not nesc. to pay homage to the website that helped it all come together (although theres nothing wrong with that) but because it's your 1st album & the one that is and in some ways already has kickstarted your career out of the hobby gig & into the "you mean I can actually support myself doing this" kinda world. Your voice is awesome but its your big fun personality that is going to take you everywhere you dreamed! Congrats on your 1st album & your future success!!!!
This just humbled me...what a great song and performance!
Wonderful stuff.. great song.. great voice and like Staci I'd donate all over again... A++++.. Go to the top of the class Julia..
@Crazyukeladies ... this isn't her first album...
Besides her awesome music, know what I really like about Julia? She has special way of making you feel just a little bit in love.
she inspires me! http://www.youtube.com/watch…
Now you're a Kickstarter Star.....just take over the company!!!!