Stretch Goal #1: $10,000 to cover a simple promotional campaign for "Life, Death, and the Spaces Between"
Stretch Goal #2: $15,000 to cover a better promotional campaign!
Stretch Goal #3: $20,000 to hire a publicist to go after radio; also press vinyl (a life-long dream!)
Stretch Goal #4: 30,000 Video Budget! Cedar Box Video and one "backer's choice!"
Hi! My name is Annette Conlon and I've always been a musician. From grade school/high school and city choirs, where I won various awards and was offered a scholarship for voice, to performing on the main stage at the State Fair of Texas, touring with our band across the mid west, and as a duo with my husband, Doug, performing at NAMM in Anaheim, CA music and songwriting have been an ever-present and life long passion.
I always dreamed of being a solo artist and always put it off. "Someday I'll write and release a full-length record of my own works," I'd muse, as I would happily help design the artwork for Doug's latest solo project, or work, or clean the house, or do whatever else took precedence... like getting sick.
Now, that time has come.
This is my chance, and I’m taking it, for I’ve learned one too many times that life is short –too short.
I almost lost that chance when I woke up in the ICU on Sat Aug 18, 2012 with a trach through my esophagus, tubes everywhere and my husband and parents hovering over me. The surgeon told us I was as near to death as I’d ever be. My right vocal cord became paralyzed during the second of three surgeries but despite all of the surgeries, feeding tubes, and drains I persevered.I was too weak to play guitar for a year so I focused on vocal and physical therapy.
Fast forward to April 17, 2014 – as I was planning a surprise birthday party I got the horrible news of a friend's tragic suicide earlier that day. After many calls I rushed (late) to pick up the cake for dinner. As I stepped off the curb my legs collapsed and I fell. Luckily my husband caught the cake but I landed on the ground, and as I did my head bounced back and hit the trashcan on the sidewalk. I ended up suffering a severe concussion which affected me in a profound way that no one could predict. The forced isolation from all external brain stimulation during my recovery allowed me to connect with emotions I had suppressed for almost two years. I began to write.
The 11 songs on Life, Death, and the Spaces Between are born from the pain, the worry, the fear, the happiness, the sorrow, the joy, and the love… the emotional stew that I was in as I delved into the past as I recovered from the concussion over the next several months.
You can listen to samples of some
of the songs here, including the first song I wrote on April 22, 2014 called “Cedar
Box” which is as close to an autobiography as you can get in a four minute song.
Cedar Box:
Live Like An Angel:
Rodeo:
Signed, Love Me
My team is small but mighty. It consists of me, my wonderfully talented husband, Doug, our immensely talented Producer/Engineer, Ted Wulfers, at 663 Sound in Los Angeles (who, can play any stringed instrument you can name and sing like a bird), and our good and super talented friend, Matt Bunsen, who played bass (upright/electric) on 8 out of the 11 tracks and has been very supportive of the entire project. The Assistant Engineer, Jagger Wulfers, has also been an essential part of the process!
Meet my amazing team:
From left to right Ted Wulfers, Doug Conlon, and Matt Bunsen.
The immediate goal of $8,000 will help pay the studio and finish up recording, cover mixing, mastering and pressing the CD as well as the reward fulfillment and Kickstarter fees.
This infograph tells you two things:
1) Studio costs to finish
up the production & recording, mixing, and mastering this record cost over
half of the budget.
2) I’m not asking for essentials like promotion and PR to
help get this record out beyond just you, me and my parents. There’s only so
much piechart to go around. : )
I’m willing to take on the extra work of photography, art/graphic design, PR/promotions, social media guru, and whatever else it takes to get this record in the right hands. However, I’m hoping that we’ll go above and beyond our initial goal and I have a solid plan on how to spend that money.
At $15,000 we will use the additional $7,000 for a PR campaign which will make a huge impact in getting the record out there. Let's do this!
At $20,000 we can hire a publicist to help us go after radio as well as press the record in vinyl (a lifelong dream!)
At $25,000 we’ll shoot a video for Cedar Box - I’ve been working on the treatment since April and with your help we can go above and beyond our immediate goal and reach for the stars!
At $30,000 we can shoot another video. I'll let backers choose the next video. How about that!!!
From $1.00 for a digital single, to $5,000 for a national house concert anywhere in the U.S., you are making an impact and making my dream come true with every pledge you make.
One of the great things about Kickstarter is that YOU get to decide what you like - what music you like, what products you want made, what movies you want produced. I hope my story and songs have touched you and that you want to see this record get made as I do!
To support Life, Death, and the Spaces Between:
- Back this project by picking a reward!
- Come to the CD Release Show Fri April 17, 2015 at WitZend in Venice, CA (VIP Table at $200 Reward!)
- and SHARE this campaign with people you know who love music, and understand that life is short. The more you share, the bigger chance we have of success!
(If you know any press/bloggers/journalists/radio interested in covering this story please message me!)
In eternal gratitude,
(Icons made by Freepik from Flaticon are licensed by CC BY 3.0.I may have taken artistic license with some of these!)
. . . Read more about my story here:
http://fiercemagazineonline.com/annette-conlon-when-the-floodgates-open/
Risks and challenges
We’re close to finishing this record and nothing will stop me from getting it done. Life is too short.
I’ve reduced potential risks by creating a realistic budget that considers not only finishing the record (studio/recording, mixing, mastering and pressing the CD) but also considers all reward fulfillment items, shipping/handling and Kickstarter/Amazon fees.
The biggest challenge is spreading the word and getting this campaign in front of as many people as possible that are supportive and willing to back and share this project. I hope you will help me with that by picking a reward, pledging today, and sharing this campaign with all of your friends. Thank you!!!
Learn about accountability on KickstarterQuestions about this project? Check out the FAQ
Support
Funding period
- (36 days)