Starting My New Album (Gung-Ho!)

I've got the butterflies all over again!! I'm finding it hard to sleep and I'm stressing out!! I'm worried about my finances and how little time I'm going to have!! And I'm happy as all hell to have these old friends back!!

It's never easy starting a new recording project. I have to organize my whole life around getting the album done (if I actually want to finish it in any appreciable time). I have to seriously look at how much the whole thing is going to cost: demo'ing, arranging, finding/ working with/ paying for the producer, recording, mixing, mastering, photographs, album artwork, pressing, promotion, touring, and misc!! Yeah, it's a huge financial commitment!! All of that while trying to craft the best material I can and get my artistic vision across and studying dance, acting, and other artistic pursuits to better my craft and pay the bills. It's enough to drive you crazy if you let it. But, I wouldn't want to have it any other way. I've found a strength and stamina that I never would have believed I had while I was at Humber College studying Jazz, bussing it to open mic after open mic, and back up singing for Jully Black, and Joni NehRita. Back then I could only marvel at these amazing musicians creating their own visions and letting the crowds into their secret worlds. How would I ever be able to get my world crafted enough for you to want to come and kick it with me!?! Enter the butterflies, insomnia, stress, and lack of time. Each of those were met by creativity, innovation, stamina, and love. That last four letter word is what really got me through all of the elements involved with my last release 'Learning To Fight', and why I'm happy to have the adversity back in my life:)

I'm actually very very blessed to be able to live a life where I can express my creative freedom and have you all join me. And while I might pout, kick, and scream at times there is absolutely nowhere else I'd rather be than right here starting my new album;) For all of you starting something new in your lives GUNG-HO!!!

Crowd Sourcing Is Not Begging!!

Crowd Sourcing Is Not Begging!!

CROWD SOURCING has become an important component to my (and a lot of indie artists) model of getting my new album made. It's taken me a while to understand that I have friends, family, and fans that are down to be part of growing the Dana Jean Phoenix brand of NuFunk! You see learning to fight is somewhat a state of mind. You have to psyche yourself up and go take the world on by yourself! Or so I'd lead myself to believe...

...You see as an independent artist I've found that I've had to really rely on self preservation to get things done. I can't depend on the music fairy (I grew up believing in) to come and magically make my music dreams come true. That was the rigid mind state I'd worked myself into a year ago. I was so caught up in doing everything myself with the release of my first EP 'Learning To Fight' that I started to burn out fast. But even as I started dropping the ball left, right, and center due to fatigue I refused to seek help! "If you want something done right you've got to do it yourself!!" I mantra'd myself every night. Then one day a friend cheerily asked me how everything was going, and before I could think I said "lousy, I'm so tired all of the time and I'm thinking of quitting this whole fuckin' thing!' - WOW, did I just blurt that out? - I thought to myself! But what was funny was that my friend just stared at me. When I apologized for ranting he just stared at me. I was apologizing a second time, due to the uncomfortable silence, when he asked me what I needed him to do! "Oh, nothing" I said sheepishly. But the amazing thing is he wouldn't take no for an answer and he proceeded to ask me to tell him about all of the work I had to do to promote, sell, distribute, and tour in support of my music. He then TOLD me that I was crazy to not ask for help from the people who enjoyed my work, and that as one of my fans (God bless him eh;) he was more than willing to help me get my stuff out there, all I had to do was ask. And that's what I did. I asked him to help me hang posters for my show at the Rivoli, and he came out with me on four nights and helped me blanket the city for the show.

I had gotten into such a do-it-yourself state that I had forgotten that as a wholly independent artist I didn't have to rig up a bullshit major label facade. I could ask for help when I needed it and it wasn't weak or stupid or charity. It's real and I sincerley appreciate every iota of help in bringing the NuFunk to you all, with what has become to be known as Crowd Sourcing!

JINGLE BELLS ROCK! - FREE Song Download & Trailer to the Video!!!

Hey Hey Phoen-ites!!!

This just in: check out the trailer for the video of my new original-cover clash Christmas Carol, 'Jingle Bells Rock!' Stay tuned.. full video will be out December 1st, 2010!!!
& Download the song for FREE!!! CLICK HERE or go to: http://tiny.cc/ro3iy







xoxoDJP :)

DAY 'n NIGHT - Kid Cudi Cover - DANA JEAN PHOENIX

Just got in from playing a wicked show for the Food Network's 10th anniversary!!! Workin Workin Workin 'Day N Night' never felt so good!!!

Speaking of which.. PEEP the new cover on DJPTV
of Kid Cudi - Day n Night. Shout outs to Danny Argyle on Keys!!

Watch. Subscribe. Comment. Enjoy!!!!



xoxoDJP

DANA JEAN PHOENIX - Pre-Order and Support Funding the New EP “Phoenix Rising”

Hello Loved Ones,

I’m so pumped to be able to be here to invite you to join me on the next exciting stage of my musical mission: Phoenix Rising!

In October 2009 I nervously released my debut EP ‘Learning To Fight’ not knowing if anybody would like my music or care what I had to say. I’ve been truly overjoyed by the wonderful response I’ve received from you since then.

Many of you know through my blog posts (danajeanphoenix.blogspot.com) how seriously hard I’ve been working in the past year to make sure that, as a 100% INDEPENDENT ARTIST, I have the creative freedom and business understanding to not only play – but excel within my musical craft and the music business.

Day after day rehearsing for show after show I’ve grown as an artist and as a business woman. I’ve learned not to be afraid to speak to you and tell you what’s going on in the sometimes wonderful, sometimes scary, sometimes breath taking, yet always rewarding NuFunk world I’m living in.

I’ve been writing and demo’ing with many producers over the past 6 months and I’m super psyc’ed (re: really happy) with these new songs. And now it’s time to get back into the studio and properly record my new material. That’s where YOU come in ;) because I need your help to make this album! Your pre-order and support will go toward funding the:

• Production 
(Recording/ Mixing/ Mastering)

• Packaging 


• CD pressing/duplication 


• Touring

So here I am, Dana Jean Phoenix - the nervousness replaced by excitement, ready to rocket into the new year with new music. And I’d love for you to join me:


Pre-Order and Funding Rewards:

$5 - All of the backers-only updates. Get an inside look at the making of the album via videos, pictures and new song previews.

$10 - Digital download of the new recording + all of the backers-only updates

$15 - Signed advance copy of the new EP via dropcard shipped to your door! + all of the backers-only updates

$25 - Signed advance copy of the new CD shipped to your door! + all of the backers-only updates

$50 - *Signed advance copy of the new CD shipped to your door! + two free tickets to the CD release party + all of the backers-only updates

$100 - **Everything from the previous reward + an exclusive “Indie Gurl” or “Indie Guy” T-Shirt + a SPECIAL THANK YOU in the liner notes

$200 - **Everything from the previous reward + a signed DVD of all of my YouTube covers

$300 - ***Everything from the previous reward + an additional acoustic cover of your favourite song, filmed live, included on your signed DVD

$500 - ****Everything from the previous reward + specially engraved new “Work Out” iPod shuffle with all of my songs and exclusive remixes from the new disc


*Please specify either the Toronto, Hamilton, or Kitchener CD release party
**For all T-Shirt rewards please specify which type: “Indie Gurl” or “Indie Guy” and size
***Please send song request and artist with your order
****Available for order until January 1st 2011

As always, I am truly grateful for your support and will represent the NuFunk to the fullest. I can’t wait to share this awesome new music with you all!

Love,
Dana

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Album credit info:
- Will be updated first to all backers as we begin recording this month -