Help Support My New Album!

Welcome to my Crowdfunding Campaign!

Hi, there! I'm Carolyn Shulman, an independent, full-time singer-songwriter based in Denver, Colorado. I'm going to release a brand new album of ten original songs, and I am inviting YOU to become part of my team, and pre-order a copy in order to help make sure these songs reach as many people as possible!

Three years ago, I released my debut album, Grenadine & Kerosene. That album opened up many new doors for me, and I've grown quite a bit as a songwriter and performer in the time since I released it. The songs on this new record reflect that growth. I've written about topics ranging from parent-child relationships and unconditional love, to social media burnout, to appreciating the unique, special things that each person contributes to the world. The sound of this album is classic Americana, including folky, tender songs, some songs with a little more of a folk-rock feel, and even some country and bluegrass influence. I think you're going to love them.

Why

I've invested a hefty amount of my own time, energy, and money into this record because I believe in the power and importance of making new art and sharing it with the world. Art and music not only help us understand ourselves better, but they help us understand each other better. They help us feel more connected to one another. I'm hoping that you might believe in those ideas and in my songs enough to contribute, and help me get this new project out into the world!

Costs of the Project

Recording an album like this, in a professional studio, with a full band of seasoned musicians, and promoting it is expensive. The cost of making this album and marketing it will ultimately add up to more than $20,000. That amount covers things like studio time, production fees, engineering, mixing, mastering, artwork, graphic design, packaging design, duplication of CDs, creation of music videos, social media marketing, streaming marketing, and radio and press promotion. It's essential for me to hire other professionals to help wtih those aspects of the process, because, like most musicians and songwriters, I know how to make music, but I am not an expert at most of those other important parts of an album project!

GOALS

My goal for this crowdfunding campaign is $5000. That amount will go a long way towards helping me hire other professionals to handle some of the remaining aspects of this project, such as creating the artwork, packaging design, videos, and social media marketing.

My first stretch goal is $7500. This would help me cover a press & radio campaign!

My mega stretch goal is $10,000. It would just be phenomenal to raise this much, and would allow me to recoup half the costs of making the record!

Rewards

I've created a bunch of cool reward packages for you to choose from, and I hope you'll find one that speaks to you and feels like a fun way to contribute to the making of this album. Please scroll down to see them all below.

Thank You, Amazing Patron of the Arts!

I am so grateful to you for listening to and supporting my music. I couldn't do any of this without you! I cannot wait to share these songs with you. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for being part of my team!!

xo,

Carolyn

Pick Your Reward Package!

Just Because! (No Reward) - $10 or more

Your price

$10.00

You don’t want anything in return. You just wanna pitch in to help support this project and show me some love. Think of this tier as a tip. You get to decide how much you'd like to donate, starting at $10. You can also add this to your cart if you purchased a different reward, but would like to contribute more! Thank you so much!! Here's a big kiss

PLEASE NOTE: This tier comes WITHOUT ANY REWARD, except for my deepest, most heartfelt appreciation! And a big, huge huge the next time I see you!

Digital Download - $15

$15.00

You don’t want any physical items, but you want the music before everyone else!

YOU GET: Advance digital download of the album

Something to Hold in your Hands (Signed CD) - $30

$30.00

You want the physical CD & liner notes to have and to hold and enjoy. I’ll sign it for you, too! This tier will also get your name enshrined in the liner notes!

YOU GET: A signed copy of “Heart on a Wire” on CD, your name in the album liner notes, advance digital download

It's the Little Things (Enamel Pin + CD) - $50

$50.00

Get a custom enamel pin to add some pieces of flare a la Office Space (the 1999 movie, if you’re old enough to remember that!) to your bag, jacket, etc!

YOU GET: A custom enamel pin, a signed copy of “Heart on a Wire” CD, your name in the album liner notes, advance digital download

Wear Your Heart on Your Sleeve (t-shirt + CD) - $75

$75.00

You love a good t-shirt showing the world your favorite artists! ME TOO. (I literally can fit no more band t-shirts into my t-shirt drawer...). This package is for you!

YOU GET: A super soft “Heart on a Wire” themed t-shirt, signed copy of “Heart on a Wire” on CD, your name in the album liner notes, advance digital download

Heart on a Water Bottle (Water Bottle + CD) - $100

$100.00

Get a custom, album-themed, insulated, metal water bottle and hydrate (or imbibe other, non-hydrating beverages) to your heart’s content!

YOU GET: “Heart on a Wire” themed water bottle, signed copy of “Heart on a Wire” on CD, your name in the album liner notes, advance digital download

Pen on Paper (Handwritten Lyrics) - $150

$150.00

You love the written word and ink on a page. Paper books over e-books. A newspaper over online news. I got you. Let me send you some handwritten lyrics on nice, fancy paper.

YOU GET: Your choice of handwritten lyrics of one of my songs, signed copy of “Heart on a Wire” CD, your name in the album liner notes, advance digital download

I Want All the Things! (Deluxe Merch Package) - $250

$250.00

Can’t decide which merch reward you want? You don’t have to choose! You can have it all!

YOU GET: Choice of Handwritten Lyrics of one of my songs, album-themed water bottle, album-themed t-shirt, custom enamel pin, your name in the album liner notes, signed copy of "Heart on a Wire" CD, advance digital download

I'll Zoom Right Over! (Zoom Concert or Chat) - $300

$300.00

Let’s hang out on Zoom! Pick your choice of either:

A private, 1-hour Zoom concert for you and as many friends as you’d like to invite! It’ll be like my livestream show, except I’ll be able to see your face, too! I’ll play whatever original songs you want to request, and I’ll even learn one cover request ahead of time if you have one. - OR -

Let’s hang out on Zoom! Pick your choice of either:

A private, one-on-one, 1-hour chat over Zoom. We can talk about music, try writing a song together, nerd out about guitars & gear, you can pick my brain about things, or just chat about life!

YOU GET: Your choice of a 1-hour, one-on-one Zoom chat OR a private Zoom concert for you and as many friends as you want to invite at a mutually agreed-upon date & time, your choice of one merch item (pin, t-shirt, or water bottle), your name in the album liner notes, signed copy of “Heart on a Wire” CD, advance digital download

Colorado House Concert - $500

$500.00

I want to play for you and your friends in person! At YOUR HOUSE! There’s no better kind of show than a house concert. It’s the most fun, intimate setting for live music. Invite as many friends as you can seat in your living room, basement, back yard, or other space for an intimate show! Invite a few friends to co-host and split the cost of this

NOTE: Must be in Denver, Boulder, Colorado Springs, Ft. Collins or surrounding areas (ie, within 2 hour driving distance from Denver).

YOU GET: Live, In-Person House Concert anywhere within a 2-hour drive of Denver on a mutually agreed-upon date and time, your name in the liner notes, 2 merch items of your choice, 2 signed copies of “Heart on a Wire” CD, advance digital download

House Concert U.S. (Lower 48) - $1,000

$1,000.00

Whoa, hey there, dream fan! I would love to play for you and your friends in person, AT YOUR HOUSE! There’s no better kind of show than a house concert. It’s the most fun, intimate setting for live music. Invite as many friends as you can seat in your living room, basement, or back yard for an intimate show! Invite some friends to co-host and split the cost if you want, to make it more feasible. Since this is the most premium prize tier, I'll also give you Executive Producer credit in the liner notes!

NOTE: This is for folks who live outside of Colorado and/or would likely require a flight for me to get there.

IMPORTANT TERMS & CONDITIONS: Purchaser agrees to cover reasonable travel costs (such as airfare) plus one night of lodging.

YOU GET: Live, In-Person House Concert on a mutually agreed-upon date and time, executive Producer credit in the album liner notes, up to 4 merch items of your choice, 2 signed copies of “Heart on a Wire” CD, advance digital download

FAQ

Q: When will I receive my reward?

A: I don't have an exact date, but for physical rewards like CDs, merch items, or handwritten lyrics, I will send those prior to the album's release. The release is currently set for September 20, 2024, so be on the lookout for rewards to ship in mid-August to mid-September. Similarly, I will email download codes prior to the release date, and for anyone who buys a Zoom call, I will reach out to coordinate a time to make that happen.

Q: I'm considering buying a house concert. How will we coordinate details?

A: You are amazing! Thank you so much! Within a day or two after you purchase, I will reach out to you via email (or text if I have your phone number) to touch base and discuss a date that works for both of us as well as travel details and any other logistics. If you have questions you would like to discuss prior to purchasing that reward, please feel free to email me.

Q: Is this crowdfunding campaign all or nothing?

A: No, it is not. I get to keep all donations, regardless of whether the initial goal is met. But that doesn't mean I won't work extra hard to achieve that goal!

Q: Does all the money I'm donating in this campaign go to you?

A: Yep! Except for a very tiny credit card fee per purchase, each bit of it will go to me, and I will put it towards various aspects of this album project: finishing artwork, graphic design and packaging, making videos, marketing for streaming platforms, and promoting to press and radio.

Q: Why didn't you host your crowdfunding campaign on Kickstarter?

A: Kickstarter is awesome! I have countless musician friends who've hosted wildly successful campaigns on Kickstarter, and I've supported 20 Kickstarter campaigns for other artists myself! However, Kickstarter is all or nothing, and it therefore seems extremely stressful to run a Kickstarter campaign. I wanted to approach this crowdfunding campaign with more excitement and joy than stress. Kickstarter also charges project creators a 9% fee in order to operate. That fee gets withheld from the funds the project creator raises. This way, I avoid any fees (other than normal credit card fees), and that means all of your donation goes to me and gets used in exactly the right ways to help make this album launch as successful as possible!