I think of the Donors’ Circle as my very own Zombie Cheerleaders — they keep me encouraged, keep me rolling, and keep me independent, and they own part of my music in a very real sense. I’m accountable to them to keep the art coming, and to keep it real and honest and meaningful. I often take song suggestions or do new projects at their request, and often tour locations are decided by folks who do a lot to support my work.

I’m inviting those of you who are interested to join the Donors' Circle by purchasing shares of my next album. It's slated to release this summer. I want it to be an unhurried, carefully wrought labor of love this time, like my first album Vanilla was. Shares start at $200 (Silver), $500 (Gold), and $1000 (Mithril), though you can certainly choose your own amount. You can pay in $50/month chunks for four months if you don’t have it all at once and still want to be a part of the new album -- just contact me. The money goes both to direct album costs (they are many, though I am thrifty) and to keeping me alive and doing music full-time so I can work on things like albums instead of waiting tables.

The new project is titled Something Fierce after a line from the song “Dear Mister Darcy.” I’ve been working on songs for this album for over two years now, because I want it to be a completely stellar piece of work. I plan to take a long time perfecting it and making sure it’s just right, after flogging myself through a whole year of speed-production in 2008. When Something Fierce is completed, I expect to have something I’ll be proud to present to any media outlet, any radio station, any promotional company on the planet. I expect to release some songs you will never forget.

Why am I so confident? Because I think the music is that good, and the people who will help me make it, this time around, are that good. I'm not on my own this time. And the production will be far and away better than anything I’ve done yet, because I have much more experience now. And best of all: this time I want to have the time and money to do it right. I’m ready to graduate from Do-It-Yourself production to Do-It-Right production with my new work.

I only like doing music in community. I want you to be a part of that community. If you want to own a stake in this album, here’s what you’ll receive, via an exclusive Google group for the Donors' Circle:

- A private production blog during writing, recording, & editing, complete with some streaming of tracks in progress (subject to you signing a non-disclosure agreement, as a formality)

- Online thanks in the virtual liner notes, and for those who give $500 or above, a thank you in the printed liner notes

- Two first print autographed copies of the disc, potentially from the sample small run which will not be generally released, and a copy of the first poster printed for the album release

- Bonus tracks, alternative mixes, and an audio blooper reel from the recording booth (I have ALWAYS wanted to make one)

- Access to production photos and video that the rest of the world doesn’t get to see through a Google group for members

- If you’re so skilled and so inclined, and if you give at the $500 level or above, the opportunity to send me clean audio clips of found sounds to use in the album — or the ability to request native ProTools files to remix, if you wish

- An invitation to the live webcast of the CD release, and for those giving at the $500 level or above, an audio recording of the release concert.

When you join, I'll add you to the Google Group through which you have access to benefits and announcements (upon receipt of a non-disclosure agreement from you). Several scratch tracks of new songs have already been posted. None are broadcast-worthy, but they will give you an idea of the changes in my writing. It's a little more grown-up, raw, and passionate now, but still has the same spunk and smirk and honesty.

I want to give you an awful lot for being a part of this next project. I want to give everything I can think of. But ultimately, art is something you invest in because you want it to exist, not because you want a return on your cash. I think art is worth it, and I know a lot of you do, too. Without the Donors’ Circle, I won’t be able to continue doing what I do -- like so many other musicians today. Soon I’ll be self-sustaining, but that time is not quite here yet. Until then, I’m counting on my community. I don't want to waste time becoming a soulless marketing machine, and I don't want to waste time fighting piracy. I want to create. You'll make that possible. And you know I’ll be there for you in any way I can, too.

How do you join the Donors’ Circle? Make a donation below. Those who give $200 are donors at the Silver level; $500 and above is the Gold level, and $1000 and above is the Mithril level. Choose a subscription if you wish, by contacting me, to pay in installments. No Paypal account is required to donate or subscribe. If you have questions, or if you prefer to send a check, e-mail me (mariancall*at*mac.com) and we’ll work out an arrangement. You should receive confirmation or thanks from me within a few days, along with a list of benefits. (Sorry if the thank you is not immediate; often access & time are hard to come by.)

All my best,

Marian

**Details: If you were already part of the donors’ circle and you have not contributed $200 or above, don’t worry. You got the early bird discount. Remember, purchases of specialty or auction items, as they come along, can count toward your subscription.

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