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Hi Everyone,
I hope you're enjoying the gentler rays of these last spring days before summer comes on full steam (or autumn/winter, for those of you in the southern hemisphere). It's been a while since I've sent out a newsletter. And I have news to share!
Most timely, this weekend I'll return to the UK for the first time in four years to play a two-night residency at London's Cafe Oto. Two very special artists are opening these shows--Johanna Warren on Saturday, June 10th, and Emma-Lee Moss (formerly Emmy the Great) on Sunday, June 11th. Johanna and Emma are renowned songwriters, and each will be presenting written work--something other than songs! Very exciting. I'll be playing slightly different sets each night while highlighting songs from my forthcoming record, House Tears. Tickets can be purchased separately for the two shows, or as a two-day series pass: https://www.cafeoto.co.uk/events/diane-cluck-two-day-residency-2023/
On Monday, June 12th I'll host a songwriting workshop, Developing Your Practice, at London's Old Diorama Arts Centre. The workshop runs from 2-5pm and can accommodate up to 15 people. There are still some spaces open. More info / register here
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Big news is that we're closing in on final mixes for my new record House Tears, and I'm in need of funding support. These recordings are sounding and feeling good! If you're interested in learning more, please visit the link below where you can listen to a preview of the album's title track, pre-order digital copies and contribute to its funding in various ways:
>>> dianecluck.info/help-fund-new-album <<<
Can you help me reach the project's $10k+ fundraising goal? The sooner I'm able to cover the costs of recording, the sooner I can release House Tears for public enjoyment.
Project Costs Include:
- Recording Studio, Two Weeks' Rental: $4,000
- Additional Home Studio Days: $0
- Sound Engineer for Recording Sessions: $3,500
- Co-Producer & Mixing Engineer: $6,000
- Studio Musicians: $3,500 (doesn't include paying myself)
- Mastering: $3,000
- Total: $20,000
Anything raised above $10k will be put toward other costs associated with record release including promotion, music videos, artwork, pressing CDs & vinyl, etc. With the intention of keeping the current fundraising to a minimum, I'll consider pressing vinyl & cds for House Tears once the recording itself has been paid for.
Special thanks to Paul Merrill for his intial gift that enabled us to begin working in the studio last fall.
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There are so many important projects in need of funding these days, artistic and otherwise. So I'll say a little about why I'm fundraising, as I imagine it may be mysterious as to why artists like myself are doing so. If you have questions beyond what's shared below, please ask.
For each of my three studio records--Boneset, Common Wealth, and now House Tears--I've fundraised and/or taken out a loan to bring them into being. At some point in my home-recording career I wanted to raise the production value of my recordings to the level of craft I'd been putting into the songwriting. The experience of working with a trusted team on studio recordings is absolutely wonderful. Yet the expense of making a studio record isn't something I'm able to fund on my own. Paying skilled music workers a professional wage for their time spent on my recordings is very important to me. And with 25,000-50,000 people enjoying my songs on Spotify each month it feels reasonable to ask for help!
Spotify is now the main way people are listening to music, and most are listening for free. My previous record Common Wealth brings in ~$40/month in streaming royalties since being released on Spotify in early 2021. At this rate it would've taken 40+ years to recoup the $20k cost of making the recording. Instead, thanks to so many of you, I was able to fundraise to cover the costs of recording, and pressing vinyl & cds. I hope to be able to do so again with House Tears.
Sustaining a career in music is challenging and I'm always considering what works. Teaching has become a true blessing in so many ways and is mainly what keeps me afloat. Here's a pie related to my earnings in 2022:
Each year is a little different, and I'll continue to evolve in what I offer. I still love singing and writing songs. Please know how much I appreciate it each time you purchase a record, a place in one of my workshops, come out for a concert, or anything else related to what I'm doing artistically. It directly supports the music and I'm so thankful.
From "Lovin' Cup", on House Tears:
all of the worlds we made are coming back
all of the lives you've been, arriving here
how do you know you're full if you're built to spill?
all that was pushed away, gathers near
when I feel nostalgic for what I had
sit it on the ground and get good at that
rain falls around, the sun dries it up
what do you think you drink from a lovin' cup?
what do you think you drink from a lovin' cup?
With Heart,
Diane
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dianecluck.info
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