Help Deradoorian Create Their Next Album

Hi everyone, my name is Angel Deradoorian.
 
I'm a professional musician and composer seeking financial support as I endeavor to write and record my third full length album. Some of you may remember me as a core member in Dirty Projectors. Some of you may also be familiar with my solo project, Deradoorian, which remains my primary focus today.
 
This year marks the 20th anniversary of my career as a musician. Music is all I know. When I was 16, I set out to pursue music as my career and I’ve never stopped since. You don’t get this far by accident. It takes hard work, perseverance, and, most of all, you have to love it. And I truly do. My dedication has opened countless doors that I’m incredibly grateful for, but—as is the case for many working musicians today—these rewards have not translated into financial success or stability.
 
The pandemic has been devastating for seasoned musicians like myself, who rely on touring as a primary source of income in this digital era where music sales have dwindled. In 2020, I released “Find the Sun,” which I was excited to perform and share with the world. It was critically well-received, but due to the unexpected disruption of the pandemic and quarantine, I lost four tours equating to two and a half-years of touring income. I survived these past years from unemployment funds, a source of income not usually granted to the self-employed, as well as Bandcamp sales. I want to thank my listeners for their support, as that small boost of Bandcamp sales were instrumental in staying afloat. Unfortunately, those stopgap funds I stretched are beginning to run out and the stress of bringing in income has returned.
Financial stress and I go way back. This year I realized that in all of my twenty years in this industry, I have never once been able to focus solely on music without simultaneously combating serious financial hurdles and anxiety. I have always had to work odd jobs to support myself through writing phases. In 2012, I left Dirty Projectors to pursue my solo career, starting from square one, totally broke. In the decade since, I have cleaned and painted houses, worked the counter at a record store, as well as other random jobs. Candidly, toggling back and forth between low-paying gigs - and the immersion my songwriting requires - has been a stressful, imbalanced experience for me. The way I prefer to write is in a concerted block of time, not sporadically.
 
You may be asking, "why doesn't your record label give you money?" Totally fair. The answer is that the majority of record labels in this era typically fund only the production of the physical album. That means all of that money has to cover the cost of renting a studio, hiring a producer and/or engineer, paying for musicians, mixing, mastering, and artwork. Most independent label budgets are modest, meaning that this money goes extremely fast. I have an incredible team lined up for this next album who believe in my music. They are already making financial sacrifices to bring my work to life. This team deserves every penny, and more, of that recording budget.
 
My financial goal has been designed to sustain me for the next six months while I write and record.
 
How will the money be used? I have outlined a budget to show you. These figures are based on monthly expenses:
 
1. Rent - home and rehearsal space - $1,200
2. Bills (home bills, phone, personal, food) - $750
3. Transportation (car payment, gas, insurance) - $540
4. Extras (e.g., flights for writing sessions, gear repair, things needed in aiding my writing) = $500
 
Total = $2,990 per month x 6 months = $17,940 (rounded up to $18,000 because of online/transaction fees)
 

It is the work of a lifetime to undo the belief systems in my mind that surround being a musician. Our work is made to feel valueless in our society, but I believe my work does have intrinsic value. I believe the people who have helped me bring my work to life deserve to be paid for their expertise, their time, and their skill. It’s humbling, and essential to me now that I begin to prioritize my own value as well. If I don’t, if I were to stop making music now, I worry it would crush me.
 
I have always had a difficult time asking for help. It is not in my nature to believe that people will support me, but I’m willing to risk it, because I believe in the value of music. I see the value of my music reflected back to me by my listeners who share how much my music has affected their lives. Receiving those messages has touched me beyond words. I also see it in every person who has championed me in myriad ways along this journey. I feel blessed to be a musician in America, but I have financially suffered rather consistently throughout this process. It has truly been hard at times to not give up. What’s kept me going is that I love music so much, I love to perform, and I love connecting with others through music. I’m accepting that music is what I chose in this life, and that choice is okay! Music is such a powerful art form that changes lives. It changed my life, and I want to be able to continue creating and providing that experience for others in this world.

So, I ask you for your support at this time. Your help will push me to a new, brighter level in my career. Your donation and support will truly, positively affect the outcome of my songs and this album.
 
Thank you for taking your time to read this.
 
Sincerely,
Angel