Rose Paradise's Album: "Over The Hill"

I am recording my next album of 12 original songs in March of 2024 at Panoramic Studios in my hometown Stinson Beach. This body of work is going to be my first album in over 7 years, entitled “Over The Hill.”

The title of this album is inspired by my upbringing in my small town. Growing up, in order to get to the gas station, the supermarket, or even my high school, I had to take the 30 minute journey over the winding roads of Mount Tamalpais, or to those who know, “Over The Hill.” 

The songs come from home, and come from the heart. In order to get this record done and out into the world, I need your help.

I am raising money to book 10 days of studio time to get this album recorded, to pay for my band's plane tickets from NYC to San Francisco, to pay for the mixing and mastering of the album, the instrumentalists time and talent, and the album artwork to be done by my friends. All of these things add up, and as a young musician, any contribution to get this project funded means the whole world. Thank you for supporting me thus far, and I can't wait to go on this journey together.

I've been writing these songs for over the past 2 years. The content of the songs are inspired by both sides of 'the hill' — from the beauty of my surroundings to the intense isolation that comes with growing up as an only child in a vacation town. I spent a lot of time by myself growing up; my imagination kept me company and I turned to music to express the findings of my mind and emotional turmoils.

Until I started high school, there was very little reason for me to go over the hill. My world was limited to a community of under 400 people, and the same 12 kids in my class (you can imagine how much shit we went through together!) Thankfully, our public school embraced the arts with the help of loving, supportive teachers. My youth was filled with after school music classes turned to after school bands. At 8 years old, I taught myself piano so I could accompany myself and perform at the Tuesday open mic in the only restaurant in town. By the age of 10, I wrote my first original album that I recorded in a local musicians home. After I first started sharing my songs I felt like anything was possible, but when I started high school over the hill I lost my way. I stopped putting out music, and I didn't feel confident in the songs I was writing. I was overwhelmed by finding my place in the 'real' world.

Now I am in my last year of college at New York University on a scholarship to study music. I have not only discovered what is 'over the hill', but I have immersed myself in one of the biggest cities in the world, growing into the woman I am today. At school I met my band members who are also my best friends. They have helped me build up my songs into something special. My band (including guitarist/vocalist Lucas Wurman, drummer/mandolin player/vocalist Emma Wellons, and bassist/engineer Ben Gordon, and assistant engineer Tom Brecker) is coming out in March to help me record this album live, with additional help from Bay Area locals; Naomi Baraban on bass and Max Woobs on keys.

This album is a huge milestone in my career as an artist and my personal development. I wouldn't be where I am today without the love and support of my family, friends, and community. Thank you for your consideration, and for continuing to nurture and support my music.

Album finance breakdown:

$2,100 10 days of studio time

$1,764 plane tickets for the band

$2,600 day rate for musicians

$350 food for the 10 days in the studio

$3,520 mixing the album

$1,100 mastering the album

$300 album artwork