Climbing the Mountain
Making an album is kind of like climbing a mountain…
When you are looking up at the mountain, you can envision yourself at the top, and the space in between looks so small. Then, as you begin to ascend, you realize how far away you are from the Summit, and every step is a small victory!
My dear friends, family and far-away fans, my heart is pounding as I approach the Summit of this creation!!!! I am reaching out to you, now, in hopes that you will join me and help me climb the mountain! At this peak, the light will rise and I will send my gifts to you on the tails of the Sun.
My Story
HEY GUYS!
Thanks for taking the time to check out my Campaign! I really appreciate it.
My name is Annie Sumi, and I am an indie-folk singer with a deeeeeep appreciation for the way that music can make sense of our emotions.
Many of you will know that I released my debut-album, Reflections, in the spring of 2015. I emptied myself into that album – my heart, my head, and every last penny in my pocket! A number of the tracks on that album earned airplay on CBC Radio, some kind words from music reviewers, and even a few award nominations.
But, more importantly, the modest success of that album has allowed me to travel across this beautiful country as a performing artist and share my stories with ALL OF YOU!!
I am as full as the night sky with gratitude for all of your support – for coming to my shows; for buying my CDs, teas and remedies; for connecting with me on social media; and, for all the free hugs and encouragement along the way!
Every moment we have exchanged has pushed me to climb this mountain, and I wake up each morning knowing that I am incredibly fortunate to be able to pursue a career in music – I owe this to all of you.
And now, as I take on this new project, I’m hoping that you will continue to guide me through your support and positivity! I will be releasing my second album, In The Unknown (October 2017), and I am so excited to bring these songs to life!
How You Can Help
Recording and releasing an album is an expensive endeavor!!!
There are rental costs for studio time, hiring a sound engineer and producer, paying music makers, mixers and masterers, pressing the CDs, collaborative album artwork design, distributing to radio outlets, promotion and marketing, the list goes on and on and on…
I’ve been fortunate enough to receive financial support for this album from the Ontario Arts Council (OAC) and FACTOR (Foundation Assisting Canadian Talent on Recordings). Combined with my own personal savings, these grants have helped cover most of the upfront costs of the new album (Thanks OAC and FACTOR!)
But, to get me all the way to the Summit, I need your help!
I’m hoping to raise $5,000 through this 30-day crowdfunding campaign on Indiegogo, with all funds going directly to back-end production costs – studio/equipment rentals, mixing and mastering, pressing CDs, etc.
I’m appealing to you to be an official sponsor of my next album, and I hope you can find some “thank-you” rewards that appeal to YOU! Take a look-see at the list of rewards on the right hand side of this page and choose a pledge level! Here’s a sampling of what you can find:
-A signed copy of the new album
-A 100% organic ‘In The Unknown’ t-shirt
-An exclusive 5 song DEMO CD
-A recorded version of a cover song of your choice
-A private concert where I come to your space and perform for your friends and family
and many more…
In addition to all the “thank-you” rewards, every supporter will get a behind-the-scenes peek at the recording process through regular campaign updates, a pre-release listen to one of the completed tracks, and a few video messages from me that will take you into the recording studio introducing you to the production team and the talented group of musicians we’ve assembled.
The plan is to have the album recorded and ready for release, in October. And that will be followed up with a national and international tour! I’m so excited, not just about being able to bring the music to life, but to have the opportunity to share this journey with you and create an album together.
LET’S CLIMB MOUNTAINS!!!
Thank you, my near-and-far friends, my angels, and my muses.
Big Love,
Little Annie
*If things are tight right now and you aren’t in a position to support this project (HEY, I get it – I’m a musician!) then maybe you can help by spreading the word through Facebook, Twitter, email or simply telling your friends and family about the campaign!!
CREDITS
Neil Whitford (PRODUCER) – I like to call Neil “Yoda” because, as a producer and as a friend, he has so much valued insight! Collaborating with him on this project has been a dream, and I am so thankful to have him in my life!!!!!!
Andrew Mullins (ENGINEER) – Andrew engineered our session at Union Studio. He has an impeccable ear for tone!
Mike Ardagh (PERCUSSIONIST) – Mike & Andrew are drum tone nerds, and I’m so thankful that they are so passionate about capturing the sound because the drums are SO slick on this album!
Jaron Freeman-Fox (VIOLINIST) – When Jaffy plays the violin it paints pictures in my heart. There are so many moments, on this album, that have been brought to life by his playing!
Alan Mackie (UPRIGHT BASS) – Alan has a great haircut, he is really good at cart-wheeling, and he plays the Bass the BEST!!!!!
Devah + Sam MacLellan (STRING QUINTET) – Joined by Sam MacLellan on the Upright Bass, the string quartet, Devah, consists of Moira Burke, Liza MacLellan, Emily Hau, and Natalia Zielinski. It brought me to tears watching these exquisite players lift the songs into another realm!
Edwin Sheard (COMPOSER) – Edwin is the best guy to have in the studio! He helped to arrange the string quintet parts, and his compositions are just flabbergasting!
Lewis Melville (PEDAL STEEL) – Lewis is one of my biggest musical inspirations. His passion for sound astounds me, and I am so thankful to have his tasteful touch sprinkled all through this piece of work!
Gary Diggins (TRUMPET, SINGING BOWL, WATERPHONE) – Gary is a multi-instrumentalist with a closet full of toys! We spent the day together layering some beautiful textures and sonic surprises all over the album!
Jonah Kissoon, Joelle Westman, Mike Celia (VOCALS) – These incredible chickens came into studio with their ENDLESS good vibrations and a bottle of wine! They sang on the tunes, and just filled the album with beautiful harmonies!
Alex Gamble (ENGINEER) – It was such a treat working with Alex from Union Sound Studios, in Toronto. His ear, and efficiency was so helpful in creating the perfect work environment!
Kevin Lipsett (ENGINEER) – Our time at Revolution Recording Studio, in Toronto, was possible because of this guy! Such a great experience!
Big Thanks to Union Sound, Revolution Recording, and MARSHA & DALE up at Northern Oasis!
LOVE YOU GUYS!
MY GOALS: To spread love, happiness, and the full spectrum of emotions through music, performance, and making personal connections.
Appreciation and Gratitude: Thanks so much for coming to my shows, for buying my CDs, and for all the free hugs and encouragement along the way!