Dearest Kickstarters! Your first reward is on its way to you! The first of many. 

You will each be emailed your own personal download code TONIGHT! If you would like me to send it to a different email address than the one I already have, or for whatever reason the email doesn't make it in your inbox, comment here or send me an email at kaelabratcher@gmail.com and I will make sure it gets to you :)

This is a [more] polished and mastered compilation of the homemade demos I made to prepare for the album. This EP is definitely "behind the scenes", "quirky", "homemade", etc. But I really like it :) I hope you will be able to hear the heart of the songs and see into the process that has been so important to the creation of my full-length album. It also contains two covers that I really enjoyed creating. All tracks were recorded, produced, performed, and mixed by me, Kaela Bratcher. All tracks were mastered by David Hall. Thank you David! So while you are waiting for my full length album, please enjoy this EP...free for my wonderful, amazing supporters. I'm so eternally grateful to you guys. 

Speaking of the full-length album, we very recently have hit a major milestone. Wednesday night we recorded the basic track for the last song on the album!!! That means I'm absolutely certain which songs are on the album, what they will pretty much sound like, and that I'm totally in love with it! It's a great feeling to know that it's really going to happen, and that it's really going to be everything I'd hoped it would be. The closer I get to the end, the more my doubts and fears are floating away. 

So what's left? Of course, plenty. But we are CLOSE. Starting next week we are going to be adding some more string parts, replacing a bass track here, an organ track here, a vocal track there, vocal harmonies, bells, synths, and any other finishing touches. After that McKenzie will be mixing the record (and I'll be hanging around to bug him). Then we  send it off to a magical lady who will master the album. Then I'll be dealing with the physical production of the album, and all the legal and business stuff. Anyone know a great, affordable music lawyer? 

Again, email me or comment here if there is any malfunction or confusion with the download. I'll be sending out different download codes for each person so the emails will be trickling out all afternoon. 

Much love and gratitude :)

Kaela 

Hello backers!

This is a special update just for you guys. It has been a couple weeks since the end of an amazing Kickstarter campaign. I was blown away by your support and love and help. Seriously, have I told you lately how awesome you are??

I have been in the studio for the past couple of weeks, and it's going really well. Things are coming together! I have been working on arranging and editing my songs with my producer Sean Jones, laying down bass tracks and guitar parts, and putting together scratch vocals and piano. Thursday I'll be spending an entire day in Panhandle Studio (on the square) recording on their BEAUTIFUL grand piano. It is a gorgeous piano. 

So - I originally set the "expected date of arrival" for the rewards at October of this year....it will be a little later than that. For a couple of reasons. 

1. I got a big opportunity to go hang out with some seriously heavy publicists, musicians, and industry leaders in NY at the end of August. Like, one on one time with some important people. It's going to be a big deal for networking and connecting with super successful people in the business. But it also means I'll be out of town for a week that I was going to be in the studio. 

2. A couple of people that I want on my album are going to be out of town for a little bit. I'm going to wait until they can fly back into Denton. It will be worth the wait! 

3. I'm going to shop around the mastering of this album. Because of some recent connections, I'm considering having it mastered by someone in LA, and the deal will take a little while to sort out. 

4. Making an album involves so much more than you (or I!) might have once thought. It sure is a learning process :)

I'm working hard on this thing, and I've really got a chance to do it right. It will be worth the delay, I swear!! 

More updates will be up soon and I'll be working on some videos soon too. 

OH if you don't know - I'm playing a show on August 16th at the Texas Theatre. It's going to be a great show with some other local artists at a wonderful venue. It could be a really cool night out for you + someone(s). Wear something nice (cocktail/club attire) and bring some cash for the bar.  Tickets are $10 if you buy them early, and $15 at the door. It's in Oak Cliff (Dallas). 8pm to Midnight. 

BUY TICKETS HERE:  http://www.rawartists.org/dallas/radiate  (It will ask you to "Pick the Artist you are supporting!" - please make sure you choose my name, it helps me out a lot!) 

Thanks guys! More to come. See you at RAW Dallas!!

Sincerely, 

Kaela xoxo

KICKSTARTERS! IT'S DONE!

This is a momentous evening for me. I turned 22 years old at midnight AND my very first album of original music was fully funded by a community of friends, family, and strangers. I have been supported by stunningly generous people from all corners of America, Australia, Canada, Japan, and the Netherlands. The generosity is far beyond what I had imagined.

Thirty days ago I set a goal of $3000 to cover the rest of the cost of making an album. I had already saved some money myself, but as an almost-graduate of college and an independent musician with no label backing me, I needed help. So I asked for it. I put myself and my music out on the table in hopes that a community of music lovers would believe in me.

AND WOW. You sure came through for me. It has been a surprising, beautiful experience for me. One that I will never forget. I believe the connections I have made with people are truly priceless.

My Kickstarter campaign ended tonight with $5,720 pledged - almost TWICE my original goal! It is 190% funded, thanks to the support of 76 backers, and even more people who shared my project on social media websites and by word of mouth. The money will be used to pay for musicians, live strings, recording with a grand piano, mastering, album artwork and photography, manufacturing the physical album, and any miscellaneous costs. Any leftover money will be put towards promotion and press!

• EDIT: I have just received an outside donation of $1,000 from a donor who wishes to remain anonymous. This is a donation outside of Kickstarter but for the same purpose so I'm including it in a NEW total. THIS CAMPAIGN HAS RAISED $6,720 and is 224% funded.

It's already begun!

I spent my first day in the studio last Thursday! So far it has been great. Recording and producing music is really, really fun. It takes dedication...which is easy when you love what you're doing. We are currently working on the drum tracks. The album is in the beginning stages, but I'm already starting to see what it can be. I'm very excited :D

I promise to update you all on the album process with pictures and videos and blog posts. I will be tirelessly working on the album and preparing the rewards over the next couple of months. You will receive an email or two asking for information (like an address I can ship things to, or a song you want me to cover) and updating you on the really big stuff. 

Success.

This project was an unbelievable success. I am so humbled, inspired and grateful for your generosity and encouragement. I gotta say - BEST BIRTHDAY PRESENT EVER. I am going to work so hard to make this album something you will all love and be proud to have been a part of.

If you pledged in support of this project or shared it with your friends and family you are a part of this album and a part of any success in my future. 

Here is a list of my backers, in alphabetical order. They deserve a shout-out.

Aaron Schumacher
Amanda Russell
Amber Nicholson
Audrey Knight
Anonymous
ARivera
Ben Shrake
Brenda Frei
Brian J. Crowley
Brian Sutherland
Brooke Buchanan
Buddy Cox
Casey Gilbert
Cathy Kahn
Chris Czechowski
Chris Martin
Colin Campbell
Dan Hodges
Darlene Graham
David P. Grohman
David Hall
Donald McEwan
Doug
Duraid
Dustin Mollick
Emily Merrell
Edward Carr
Ellen Angelico
Eric C. Lin
Ian Argys
Jaime Van Der Sluys
Janet Schenk
Jason Freston
Jennifer
Jeph Alexander
Jessie Frye
Joe Bratcher
Jordan Coffing
Justin Schenk
Karen Gilligan
Kathryn
Kris Watson
Krista Hasselbring
Lachlan
Linda Juntti
Lizzy Eidson
Lonnie Dee
Luke Holt
Maniacal 4
Maria Alexander
Mark C.
Mark Cline
Matthew Gordon Montgomery
Meghan Rossi
Melissa McMillan
Mikaela Kahn
Mike Bratcher
Mike Hall
Misti Blakeney
Morgon123
Patrick Murphy
Peter Clagett
Pim Lingsma
Renee Crowley
Sam Baker
Santiago Dietche
Scott Mulvahill
Sean Nelson
Shannon Fearon
Sharon Mayeux
Stacie Bratcher
Stephen Wong
Steve Pickett
Tina Harvey
Terrence Brown
Todd Wilburn
Trannie Stevens
Yvonne
Xanthea O'Connor

And a few extra shout-outs to some people that helped make this possible:
Cameron J. Smith
Sean Jones
Matt Hornbeck
Brian Ward

From the bottom of my heart, I am sincerely thankful. THANK YOU ALL. I'll be in touch!!!

Sincerely,

Kaela :D