Katya's First Music Video & EP Release Fundraiser

 

 

Hello, I’m Katya and I need your help to get my first EP (short album) out to the public with an accompanying music video. Below is a short introductory video I made featuring part of my first single I’ll Take Your Number which got a pre-release spin on BBC Radio 1! This is very encouraging and a precursor of things to come – with your help. I have been working so hard writing and recording this EP and I am proud to say it is completely self-produced. A staggering statistic says that only 2% of music producers are female so the late nights I put in teaching myself and trying to convince myself I could achieve this feel all the sweeter. I finally feel ready to release music that is my authentic expression and I want to start at the beginning of 2022.

 

As I’m sure you are aware, visuals are almost as important as the music when it comes to trying to convey an artistic message. Over the past year, I have been working with creative director and videographer, Ricky Rxse, and video production manager Brooklyn Adebowale, who have generously helped me wherever and whenever they could as they believe in the music. Now I have everything prepared and the only thing missing is a music video for my song Poison.

 

In the Funding Breakdown section below, I explain in detail where your contributions will go. Please have a look at the information I have put together on this page to learn more about the project and the various ways I will thank you for your support.

 

Help me to fulfil my vision and be a part of my journey!

 

 

 

 

How I have been preparing for my release

 

Spirit Of Your Roots is the title of my debut EP (“extended play” aka. short introductory album). The 5 tracks invite listeners to reflect on themes such as finding a sense of belonging through connecting with one’s heritage, the pressure to conform to accepted norms and the strength in being prepared to show one’s vulnerability.

 

It is a body of work I have written, recorded, produced, sung, and played myself. It features trumpet on two of the tracks by Jackson Mathod (Stormzy, Jordan Rakei). As an artist begins with a sketch and gradually fleshes it out with colour to form a painting, I begin with the outline of the song and layer instruments/ sounds to add colour and depth. In some cases, I use samples from everyday life such as a phone conversation or children playing in the playground I was living opposite in Tbilisi, Georgia (where I have roots). In order to achieve this I found it necessary to research and teach myself how to use music software Logic Pro X and more recently Ableton Live.

 

I am able to bring my compositions on stage with me and include them in my live set through the use of Ableton. Sometimes I deconstruct elements from the tracks: assigning samples to drum pads which I play live or triggering different vocal effects whilst singing. I’m very excited about creating a more immersive experience on stage with projections and visuals to accompany the music, thereby adding another dimension to my live shows.

 

In addition, I have prepared the necessary supporting material, including cover art, logo, live performance videos and teaser videos.

 

I now need your help.

 

 

What’s next?

 

In order to sustain the momentum already gained by my unreleased debut single, I’ll Take Your Number, being played on BBC Introducing London and BBC Radio 1’s Future Artists show (submitted as part of the Live Lounge Introducing Competition), I need to proceed to the next stage without delay: the release and promotion of my EP.

 

The release process involves the distribution of the tracks on all major streaming platforms (e.g. Spotify, Apple Music). It also requires promotion so that each single reaches as many people as possible, increasing the odds of it getting onto top playlists.

 

That way, I maximise my chances of growing my fanbase and performing at larger venues which is integral to being able to sustain a career in music nowadays – and something I love doing.

 

A music video is another important aspect in the release process. My team and I have an exciting concept in pre-production which we can’t wait to show you!

 

 

Where your money will go

 

Digital Marketing – In order to give my music the best chance to reach as many listeners as possible who will potentially buy my tracks and tickets to my gigs I need to ensure that I am visible on digital platforms. Digital marketing has become a critical element of launch success. Due to the vast numbers of musicians out there I need to use these digital platforms wisely to target specific audiences. To ‘break’ a new artist requires a financial investment.

 

I will release one single every month, starting in February 2022, and continue to create supporting content in the form of visual teasers, explanations of my production and lyrics, behind the scenes sneak peeks, and live streams. These will be used to promote the songs on social media platforms.

 

Publicity – Being featured in established publications and on broadcast media is a valuable endorsement of one’s work. This is why I need someone on my team who has connections in press and radio to help me achieve this.

 

Video – Visuals are an integral part of presenting who you are as an artist. I am lucky enough to be working with an incredible creative director, Ricky Rxse (Kano, Jorja Smith) and production manager, Brooklyn Adebowale (Sigrid, Jorja Smith) who have helped me so much already with live performance videos, photo shoots, logo and cover art for the EP. We have an amazing vision for the music video of my song Poison so we really hope we can make it happen – with your help.

 

 

Funding Breakdown

 

The cost of completing an EP is high. Equipment, software, mixing and mastering – it all adds up and I have invested in order to get myself to this point.

 

I am looking to raise £12,500 initially to launch this project. In order to promote the EP globally I would need £20,000-£35,000. If I'm lucky enough to hit the first goal, I will share the details of the next stage with you. I will donate 10% of the amount I raise above £12,500 (after platform fees) to these two wonderful charities:

 

Hayastan All Armenian Fund provides humanitarian aid to Armenians - https://www.himnadram.org/en

 

Adelante Mujer’s purpose is to support women victims of domestic violence in Cochabamba, Bolivia to break the cycle, and move forward with their lives, creating better futures for themselves and their children. Founded by a great friend of mine - https://www.adelante-mujer.com/

 

 

 

 

 

Core team info

 

Katya – I have had some incredible wins over the last couple of years despite Covid. As well as having my first single played on BBC radio, I co-curated, hosted and performed at Music In The Round: a five-part series of live music evenings at the temporary art exhibition: Art In The Age Of Now at the old Fulham Town Hall (featuring works by Conrad Shawcross, Ben Eine and Charlotte Colbert). All the shows sold out and the exhibition received coverage in numerous publications including Forbes, Time Out and The Evening Standard.

 

I also performed at Wilderness Festival and as part of a sold-out show at Bush Hall raising over £6,000 for Young Minds: the UK’s leading mental health charity for children and young people.

 

In 2020 I created I’ve Known War: a song and video in reaction to the war in Nagorno-Karabakh (where I have roots). In this, I sampled the performance of Komitas’ Krunk (The Crane) performed by Sevak Avanesyan in the bombed cathedral. This prompted emotional responses from many, including Dave Stewart (Eurythmics): “Very emotional, I love this song”.

 

You can watch it here:

 

 

 

 

Ricky Rxse, Creative Director, Videographer, Photographer - http://rickyrxse.com/ https://www.3000ceanhill.com/

 

Brooklyn Adebowale, Production Manager, Stylist, Make-up Artist, Set Designer

 

 

A bit more about me

 

“I want to be up there,” I said to my parents, pointing towards the stage at Wembley Arena. I was 7 years old and they had taken me to a Queen concert. From my vantage point on the right of the stage, I could really put myself in the shoes of the musicians on the stage and feel the electrifying energy that was being created from this shared live experience between performers and audience.

 

I soon came to realise that it wasn’t just about performing. Music had always played an integral role in my life, and by this time I had already been performing in venues for a couple of years, having started with classical piano and then violin. However, it was breaking away from the more traditional ways of learning and picking up the electric guitar that led me to my passion. I soon began writing my own music. When I later took part in a school talent show I was the only one playing songs I had written, sharing a little piece of myself with those listening. Pupils of all ages congratulated me afterwards, saying that they could relate to my song. It was then that I realised the power of sharing something one has created.

 

Throughout my undergraduate studies at Oxford I continued to write and perform my music as much as I could. It was only after my master’s that I was really able to focus on it as a career.

 

 

Other ways you can help

 

Sharing this page with anyone you think may be interested would be greatly appreciated. Please help me spread the word on social media and get your friends and family to follow me @katyatheartist — every little bit helps!