What does an entire collection of music, devoted to the singular place in the mind where fear and faith battle for control, sound like?
Hi. (Yes, you. You over there, on the other side of the computer.)
Hey, Hi and how are ya :)
My name is Anj Granieri, (www.facebook.com/anjgranierimusic) and I live in Atlantic City, NJ (ahem, the real Jersey Shore, sans Snookie). I'm the gal in the video above, the one that is asking you, (the you on the other side of the computer) to become a co-creator of my 3rd studio album "The Giant Unquiet".
SO HERE'S THE 411....
As previously stated in the video, I've had a love affair with music all my life. It's been my best friend, confidant, consolation, secret-keeper, guardian and my voice. But, it wasn't until recently that I decided to fully give my soul, heart, body and mind over to the life I had always dreamed of living. This moment came when I lost my job in education in May. What at first seemed like a nightmare, soon gave way to clarity: I couldn't escape the reality of who I was anymore.
I am an artist. I am a storyteller.
I am a songwriter, and this is my chance to leap.
While I was able to fund my previous two albums, (which you can check out here) out of my pocket, my circumstances have now changed a lot, and in order to record this album, I am looking to Kickstarter.com to help me fund my project.
I am trying to raise $15,000 in 6 weeks.
That's a lot of bread!!! But it takes about $1,000 to record a song in a professional studio, and I'm aiming for a 15 song album.
Here's how you can help.
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PLEDGE! Of course I wouldn't ask you to pledge without offering great incentives in exchange! You can read about them all to the right of my video, pick the one that tickles your fancy, and pledge! I am offering pledge levels as small as $1, and as large as $5,000 - something for everybody.
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SHARE! Even if you can't pledge at this time, PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE share this video on Facebook, Twitter, MySpace, Linked In, Google+ and any other site you use! If you feel inspired, share it on your blog! Or on your You Tube Channel! Getting the word out is as important as pledging, and yet as simple as a click of your mouse.
Alas, there's a catch (ain't there always a catch?)....
Kickstarter is an ALL OR NOTHING funding campaign. If you pledge during the campaign, your credit card will NOT be charged until December 8th, and ONLY if we reach our goal by that date. If not, no cards are charged, no money is exchanged, and sadly, no album will be recorded.
So, until we meet again....
I often think about the fact that by the time my grandchildren are my age, one's entire life will be documented (via cell-phone, You Tube, Facebook, and all the new technological "whoosie-wat-sits" that will exist at that time). This means that every person will leave a legacy of some kind when they die. I think about that a lot. I don't know if my music will ever shape the world in the way every artist hopes it will, but I do want to be able to sit with my grandchildren and show them what I did to try and make it a better, more vulnerable place.
I believe that in supporting my project, you are not just supporting me (a friend, acquaintance, or possible stranger), but supporting the concept of Faith as well. In return, I am doing the same by believing we can reach this goal, and that my music will be able to give you something of value back. And so the ripple effect continues...faith conquering fear...in positive circles that move far beyond our eyes can see.
Grace and Peace,
Anj Granieri
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Here's the Official Kickstarter T-Shirt! Available with your pledge of $75!
FAQ
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No sweat, my pet! As soon as the campaign ends I will send you a form to fill out, through which you will be able to give me all your info! :)
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Yes, as much as I would love and am hoping to garnish support from international fans, I am going to be working on a VERY strict budget if the project is fully funded and cannot afford anything outside my budget! I will be sure to calculate shipping costs ahead of time for whatever you pledge, depending on your location and let you know by email. Then you can PayPal the remaining funds to me!
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I understand all to well what it feels like to be broke ( hence, using Kickstarter to fund my album), but seriously every dollar counts! If you can manage the 1$ pledge, that's awesome. And if you want to help, PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE share this project on your SOCIAL NETWORKING SITES!!! Your voice matters.
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Because Kickstarter is an all-or-nothing platform, when you make a "pledge" you are doing just that: pledging how much you are willing to give. HOWEVER, you do not actually give the money until the campaign ends, and ONLY if the goal is reached. If by the end of the campaign, we do NOT reach our goal, your credit card is not charged.
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This is a somewhat fluid question, but assuming the project is fully funded, the rewards will vary from November 2011 to February or March of 2012. Creating art is not a hard-fast process, so please be flexible and understand I will do everything in my power to get you your rewards (the album) as soon as possible!
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No problem! You can always increase your pledge up until the last day of the campaign! Just sign in and edit your pledge. Simple as that!
188
Backers
$15,636
pledged of $15,000 goal
0
seconds to go
Funding period
Oct 21, 2011 -
Dec 8, 2011
- First created · 5 backed
- Anj Granieri 539 friends
- Website: cdbaby.com
Pledge $1 or more
5 backers
Thank you for having Faith in my project! I will personally thank you on my website when the project is complete! And you will get the featured single "Black Wings" MP3 download when the album comes out :)
Estimated delivery: Feb 2012Pledge $10 or more
35 backers
Digital download pre-release of "The Giant Unquiet" + ABOVE
Estimated delivery: Feb 2012Pledge $25 or more
44 backers
Autographed Hard Copy of "The Giant Unquiet" + 2 kinds of wallpaper for your desktop computer featuring album artwork + ABOVE
Estimated delivery: Feb 2012Pledge $50 or more
11 backers
Entire catalog (either via MP3 download or Hard-Copies mailed to you) of music including "Coin and a Half Girls" (2004) and "When Grey Blushes" (2007) + ABOVE
Estimated delivery: Feb 2012Pledge $75 or more
5 backers
Special Edition "The Giant Unquiet T-Shirt" (check out the design in the project info section) + ABOVE
Estimated delivery: Feb 2012Pledge $100 or more
30 backers
I will cover any song that you want (and I do mean ANY, but let's keep it classy people), and upload it to my YouTube Channel with a special shout-out to you at the beginning of the video! + ABOVE
Estimated delivery: Feb 2012Pledge $200 or more
6 backers
Once upon a time, "album art" was as important to a record as the music itself. It was showcased full-scale in the days of vinyl, compressed when CD's were invented, and has now been mostly lost in the digital era. For $200, you will receive a copy of "Behind The Giant Unquiet" softbound, professionally published book. The book will showcase the lyrics to the songs, as well as illustrations, photography and graphic design to embellish it. I will also include poetry, diary entries, and prose that I wrote over the last few years, which all breathed life into the album + ABOVE
Estimated delivery: Feb 2012Pledge $350 or more
1 backer Limited (14 of 15 left)
A one hour piano/composition/song-writing lesson with me on SKYPE! I will teach you how to play a song, help you with one you are writing, or teach you a bit about the songwriting process! whatever you want! + ABOVE
Estimated delivery: Feb 2012Pledge $500 or more
2 backers Limited (3 of 5 left)
I will personally wood-burn the cover of a beautiful 240 page, Cherry wood journal for you. Journal has gold-edged paper, vinyl binding, and will be personalized with my symbolic "music mission statement": a compass in the center with fire, water, wind and earth in the corners. Each symbolizing passion, flexibility, creative flow and determination. These are the four traits featured on my website that one must keep in balance to be a creative success! The journal will have a hand-written letter of thanks on the inside cover. May this gift help you in your own creative efforts + ABOVE
Estimated delivery: Feb 2012Pledge $750 or more
1 backer
I will write, record and upload a video of myself performing a song written FOR YOU! It can be about anything you want... a love lost, a love found, something you saw on the bus one day, dragons who eat doritos and burp them up... you get the idea! + ABOVE (minus journal)
Estimated delivery: Feb 2012Pledge $775 or more
0 backers
"JINGLE ALL THE WAY" Small Business Promotion!!!!! You will receive a "demo" Jingle for your small business written and recorded by me in my home studio (piano and vocals only), 500 one sided-full color, business cards personally designed for you (see T-Shirt for design work example), a copy of "The Giant Unquiet", a sponsor credit and thank you on the inside label of the album, and a framed 8 1/2 X 11 certificate of appreciation featuring album art and a personalized thank-you message from yours truly.
Estimated delivery: Jan 2012Pledge $1,000 or more
2 backers
You will be credited as Associate Producer in the liner notes of my album, and I'll come to your house and do a concert for you and your friends! (Backer must be within 4 hour drive of Atlantic City, NJ or airfare/hotel must be provided for 2 persons for one night) + ABOVE
Estimated delivery: Feb 2012Pledge $2,000 or more
0 backers Limited (5 of 5 left)
I'll tatoo your name on my body! (Ok, well, no I won't actually do that). BUT YOU WILL GET - a DVD detailing the "behind-the-scene" moments of the studio/recording process. The DVD will feature my exclusive video blogs: the 2 a.m. exhaustive recounts, the "in the studio" process, and my "personal confessional" series! PLUS a bonus copy of my Kickstarter video! This is your VIP ticket to the entire album-making process!! + ABOVE
Estimated delivery: Feb 2012Pledge $5,000 or more
0 backers Limited (5 of 5 left)
If you honestly give me 5,000 smackeroons, I am not sure I will be able to deliver your rewards because I'll probably die from unadulterated joy. JUST KIDDING! Don't run away! Come back with your checkbook! THIS TYPE of donation warrants ALL OF THE ABOVE, PLUS A MONTHLY MUSIC LESSON WITH ME FOR A YEAR! (12 lessons). Imagine what you can learn with all that personal Q.T? I can take your skills to the next level, while you take my Kickstarter project to the next level. As Charlie Sheen would say, it's Bi-winning!!
Estimated delivery: Feb 2012
