Hi It’s me Michael!

Here’s the sitch; In 2022 I saw a video clip from a lecture by Charlie Kaufman that changed basically everything. It is a powerful 60 seconds of him telling creatives to present themselves to the world authentically. It finishes with a line that I will never forget:

“Do you. It isn't easy, but it’s essential. It’s not easy because there’s a lot in the way. In many cases, a major obstacle is your deeply seated belief that ‘you’ is not interesting, and since convincing yourself that you are interesting is probably not going to happen, take it off the table. Agree, ‘perhaps I’m not interesting’, but I am the only thing I have to offer, and I want to offer something, and by offering myself in a true way I am doing a great service to the world, because it is rare, and it will help.”

From that moment I wanted to write an entire album about just that. That we are all we have to offer, and this human experience is messy and beautiful but it’s what we have. That life, and art, is Built By Being Human.

So I wrote a lot of songs. I released some of them because some of them couldn't wait to be released. I put some in a vault never to be heard by anyone. As time went on I just felt like I couldn’t say what I wanted to. I changed my mind and second guessed the idea. I thought what I had to say wasn’t interesting enough, and maybe the idea was just too shallow, but it never left me. The album haunted me, This Charlie Kauffman video haunted me; and the more authentic I was with my songwriting the more it would linger there.

Now here I am with a collection of songs about love, life, and existential crises. Some have a lot to say and some very little, but they are me, and I am proud of that. And these songs make up my 1st full length album “Built by Being Human”.

So here is where you come in:

These songs are so close to being over the finish line, but releasing 13 songs is a lot more expensive than releasing just a single. I still need to pay for the mixing and mastering of 10 tracks, as well as artwork, video, and promotional materials. I am working with some very talented and generous friends to make this happen but they deserve to get paid!

I also want to put some power and intention behind this release. I don’t want to just release some music and cross my fingers hoping that someone connects with it. I want to connect to whoever is listening beyond just streaming. So in the spirit of connection I will be hosting intimate shows and listening parties surrounding every step of this release.

Here is the breakdown:

Remaining Mixing and Production Costs: $2000

Mastering: $1000

Photo/Video: $1200

Event Costs: $800

Thank you for your support! Creating art and putting it out in the world is not something that should be done in isolation, so thank you for being a part of it! I am so excited for this project to meet the world. Keep an eye out for special listening events and shows coming up as the album rolls out!