Main fundraiser photo

Funding Kelley Ahlstrom's Album

Donation protected
As many of you may know, I’ve been at this music making business for a long time now. I started singing when I was around 10 years old, then picked up piano, guitar and songwriting and I haven’t stopped since. It’s my passion, my main outlet for self expression and gives my life purpose. I graduated from Columbia College Chicago with a music degree last year and since then, I have been planning to record an album in a professional studio. I will use that album to build a career around.

A long time ago, I realized that the idea of “getting discovered” is more of a myth than an actual plan. The music industry just doesn’t work like that even though the media tells us it does. But then again, the media also tells us it’s unhygienic for women not to shave their armpits, for example, and if you think about that for more than 10 seconds, you’ll realize the hypocrisy of that statement.

So I’ve formulated an actual business plan which will allow me to turn my original music into a life-long career. What’s the first step? Recording an album at a professional quality. In order to compete in the industry and get radio play, this is the main thing I will need. Of course, recording a professional album is an expensive endeavor. So I will need your help!

Music may seem like a difficult route to take to earn a living and it is. But it certainly is not impossible by any means. In fact, if you have a good enough plan and stick to it, I believe almost anything is possible. This is life and while reincarnation MAY be real thing, we only can say for sure that we get this one life. In my young life, I’ve already climbed over hurdles which made me realize that the meaning of life has mostly to do with your experience of it. For me personally, if I got a desk job or worked at a grocery store or anywhere else really, I wouldn’t feel as fulfilled at the end of my life as I would being a musician and living out my dreams.

Generally speaking, we are told in this society that only this one path of going to school, then college, then getting a desk job, then getting married, then having babies and then dying is the only way and everything else is unrealistic so don’t even think about it. It is one way and there is nothing wrong with that way. For many people, that path in life can bring a lot of joy and fulfillment and that’s great. But that one way of life simply won’t work for everyone and I think we need representations of other paths one can take to look up to. If you think about it, it’s actually really odd that our culture is focused around this one way of living with how many people there are.

The problem is a lot of people end up going into that typical representation of life not because it’s what they want to do but because that’s what the media and everyone who buys into it says that life is and they never think about what they are truly interested in doing. This often leads people to end up in an unhappy situation. But if there were more role models taking different paths, then maybe more people would know that other routes are possible too. They might think critically about what they enjoy doing and how they want to contribute to this world. They might not end up in an unhappy situation or be on their death bed with regret. I think more variety would create a happier and healthier society.

So supporting me and my art is to support options, inspiration, coexistence, diversity and true artistry. As this video states, I have already written all of the music entirely- from vocals to drums to bass to violin. I just need the funds to take me to the studio. Any support is MORE than appreciated! Thankyou!

Prizes for donation!
Anyone choosing the reward levels during donation will recieve:

-$10: get a download of the album when it comes out
-$50: get a piece of art designed specifically for you.
-$150: get a song written and recorded specifically for you.
-$500: get a house show for you and your friends (local)
-$1000 get a private lesson in any one of the following and 2 of the other prizes listed (your choice):
singing
piano
songwriting
music business
recording
making dreadlocks
eating healthy
rollar blading
bike riding
swimming

Organizer

Kelley Ahlstrom
Organizer
Chicago, IL

Your easy, powerful, and trusted home for help

  • Easy

    Donate quickly and easily.

  • Powerful

    Send help right to the people and causes you care about.

  • Trusted

    Your donation is protected by the  GoFundMe Giving Guarantee.