Help cover costs for tour prep of The Departure

Hi my name is Ali,

I made a record in tribute of my late 7yr old son Oisín who passed away from DIPG in Sept 2022. I was awarded a grant to record the album “The Departure” as The Shadow Majlis with 3 x Grammy winning producer David Bottrill (Peter Gabriel, Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, Tool, King Crimson).

With the grant also came funds to produce vinyl and CDs. Ive also got a small run of Tshirts, stickers, buttons and patches. The album has had favourable reviews in Europe and USA. I was planning a US tour, but with the recent geo-political situation there are many challenges to proceed with that plan.

I would like to tour Europe since we are as Canadians strengthening our ties with the EU and UK, where my music is better received anyway, but is a more expensive prospect to explore.

My short term goal to keep costs down is to start touring as a solo artist and to establish an audience from which I can evolve the show into a full band presentation. With that said, I have a $2K + bill to cover costs of stem preparation from producer David Bottrill to enable me to perform with backing tracks of the instruments I do not play live, as I had many guest musicians from around the world in the studio. I also have rehearsal and equipment costs, as well as some local shows to prepare for as well as some live video production to help with securing future bookings overseas.

I have also accepted an invitation to play NYC’s The Bowery Electric as my first ever performance of the songs from “The Departure” live as a solo artist (or otherwise). That will be on March 28th, 2025. It’s just starting!

Touring will help me with selling the physical merchandise I was able to produce with my initial grant which ran out long ago and was not allotted for touring.

I am pursuing touring grants, however that first requires invitations to play, and I can get invitations once I make a few performances and film them.

The grief process has been a long and difficult one. I work two part time jobs that provides me with a flexible schedule for my 2 boys and my arts practice. I am looking for your support in helping me achieve the dream of taking this rare opportunity of touring this amazing production of an album with the hopes of also taking this project further. The catharsis from which has been wonderful for my grieving process.

Any amount big or small is very helpful and much appreciated. I am looking to hopefully find 350 people to donate $10. Please help and spread the word.

Thank you for your support and consideration.

Xo

A