Hello! Thank you for watching my film. There’s a bit more information on me, Beccy Owen, and my forthcoming album here…
As a solo artist I have released three critically acclaimed albums to date. IMAGO is my first full-length offering since "Down With Gravity" (2008) and will be released Digitally on 9th December (http://beccyowen.bandcamp.com/album/imago) and on CD on 16th December (same link as before, but scroll down the page!)
The last thing I released was the digital-only DRINK EP earlier this year. That was a 5-track EP, which I wrote and home-recorded over the space of five days during an experimental month of writing a song-a-day (you can read more about this process and a review of the results here and here.)
What is IMAGO?
IMAGO is a record of twelve intensely personal songs that I've been working on for the past year or so. It's an intimate, performance-based portrayal of a love affair as it begins and unfolds.
In biology, IMAGO refers to the final stage of a creatures' metamophosis into the 'mature' stage. For many insects, it is during IMAGO that they they get their wings (educational moment!)
In psychology, IMAGO refers to the idealized image of another person that forms, often in childhood, and persists unconsciously into adulthood (every day's a school day! www.answers.com/topic/imago)
I chose a 'one take' approach to the record, playing piano and singing live for each song and keeping the whole take as it came out, warts-n-all. I'm proud of this unapologetic aesthetic. IMAGO has an immediacy and a dynamism that I like to think has become a staple trait of my live shows.
This feels like a return to the minimalistic sensibilities of my debut release 'The Sweetest of Tales from the Bitterest Edge'.
WHY I NEED YOUR HELP...
IMAGO is finished!!! We mixed a few weeks ago and thanks to the success of this crowdfunding project, we were able to get it mastered at Abbey Road. It is now being manufactured on CD and is ready for digital release.
So what?
Well, I'd like to build and engage with an audience and a community of people who want to hear my music, help me to raise it's profile, are interested in putting on unique gigs, and help to raise funds to make it possible to release the new record to a very high quality digitally, on CD and on vinyl. Then I'd like to share it live with people. Sometimes in their very homes! (real pianos tour imminent).
To release iIMAGO as a physical 'product' takes a bit of dosh, because the upfront costs of mastering and manufacturing music (even digitally) can be rather expensive and a little beyond my current income as a music leader and independent songwriter. My dream was to get the songs mastered at Abbey Road studios, who did a great job with my band's last album, and they've lived up to their promise again - thanks Simon Gibson.
If you choose to join TEAM IMAGO and donate, the money will still go into covering the cost of making the record, as well as the cost of touring it.
WHY NOT A RECORD DEAL?
I've been doing this without the fat-cat machine of the industry for 14 years, and have only got this far with the amazing support of other people - both financially and in all kinds of other ways. For example, my current producers on IMAGO are my good friends - the true King of the North Alex Ross and the super-talented Jonathan Bidgood - and they're giving their expertise and time for free (although I have fed them beer and dal.)
I've had offers with huge advances on the table numerous times over the years, but nothing has felt quite as right as the DIY approach. Maybe I'm just a control freak.
I have some awesome people collaborating with me on various oher aspects of this record for the sheer love of it or for a very reduced mate-rate; from the artwork, to the accompanying website, to the launch event itself. The list goes on. Maybe you could be added to it!?
WHAT YOUR PLEDGES WILL MEAN...
Anything you can spare will be greatly appreciated. There are some lovely rewards on here too (personally, I'm most excited about the Oven Glove and the House Concerts), so take a look, decide what you can afford and I will do my best to release the best record I have in me to make.
. THANK YOU .
...and if you would like to keep abreast of my makings, or just keep in touch, please check out my blog:
http://iwasborntomorrow.wordpress.com/
and/or my new website
http://www.beccyowenmusic.com
and/or my facebook and twitter:
https://www.facebook.com/pages/beccy-owen/31564107347?ref=hl
https://twitter.com/beccyowen
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There is only one day left until the IMAGO Crowdfunding project ends. What an adventure we've had! I am still in disbelief at how amazing it's been and how generous you are. Thank you.
Over the past few days it’s slowly started to sink in how amazing the last few months – indeed the last year – has been, and how generous people are. I have some amazing people in my life who help me all the time, and who have really ‘fannied up’ for me over the last few weeks in terms of emotional and practical support. I also have some wonderful fans who support me and my music with a beautiful enthusiasm and an emotional intelligence (not to mention donations) that I couldn’t ask more of. It makes me feel extremely fortunate and like I am ‘got’.
I want to thank each of you for supporting me, and thank you so much to those who came to the launch gig on Saturday. For laughing with me, and crying with me, and for allowing me to share my heart and my music.
My favourite part of Saturday night was walking in at the start, sitting at the piano and looking out at a room full of gorgeous, grinning folk – some of whom I knew well (hello, mum!), some of whom I’d ever met – and feeling like you were all with me for one big happening that we were all about to share. Whether you were there or not, if you’ve been to shows before, if you’ve bought my albums or donated to the crowdfunding, then I felt you with us too. To be listened to and feel understood is all any of us really wants, from the earliest of life’s moments, and I feel like you lot really get me and it feels incredible. Thank you.
Before all this, I really didn’t know if anyone would care/notice that I was making a new record. A five-year break between releases has been a long time, and a lot has gone on to knock my confidence and make me question myself. Making IMAGO has been a reclamation project, in so much as I’ve had to learn how to trust myself again. And whilst I am still very fallible and prone to self-doubt, all in all I’d say that it’s worked…I do feel like I’ve got my wings back. And that’s partly down to me, and partly down to all the awesome people in my life.
Bill Murray agrees.
I’ve been building my own machine outside the big labels and the fat cat industry for almost 15 years now, and the last few months has felt like a validation and a culmination of this approach – releasing the new record is the apogee of what it means to me to be an independent artist/woman (cue soundtrack) putting out records and shows (ooh, and before I forget, I also have a new website: – thanks Ki Media!)
It’s not easy. It’s still difficult to reach an audience outside of the North East (so spread the word! And if you want me to come and do a house gig at your place, get in touch), it’s a slog (almost impossible) to get national press interested and radio play without a label and without pluggers, and it’s a stretch to fund touring and generally keep people abreast of what’s going on with what I’m making because there’s a time cost to everything that’s always greater than you imagine when you first set out on any given task. And I’m knackered. But I am also incredibly proud of what I’ve achieved – what we’ve achieved together – and I honestly have no complaints.
I have also forgotten how to relax. The cogs of my to-do list that takes over my mind. This is inevitable when you’re doing so much yourself, when you’re asking so much of colleagues and friends and family who are also part of the beautiful ‘outsider machine’. The cogs have been spinning almost out of control. I need a Tramadol. But nothing can compare to the feeling of satisfaction or joy that comes with being on this side of a self-release.
The crowdfunding campaign has been unprecedented – I can’t believe how well it’s gone and how much we’ve raised. (There’s still 1 more day to go, and we’re on just over £3.5K. I couldn't be more chuffed with that. Thank you. Here's the latest and final crowdfunding thank you video (lost the original backwards thank you sign! DRAT!)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bQOeu0u4EmQ
I’m so grateful. Not only has this money meant mastering at Abbey Road, the production of a CD and someway towards covering the cost of the imminent vinyl (along with the cost of all the crowfunding rewards themselves!), it’s also generated a lot of work which has become part of the feedback loop of goodness – 44 personalised poems – some of which are becoming new songs – sending the stuff out to people and getting lovely feedback, making the thank you videos, thanking each person individually for their donation – all of it has been one giant elongated effort to build a community of people who would help to get this album – my beautiful baby! – finished and presented to the world in such a way that we could all feel like we had a stake in it, like we were part of something. I hope that’s how you feel.
I got a little feedback loop/infinity symbol tattooed in white on my sternum earlier in the year (by Ferank Manseed – check out his work), to remind me that you get what you ask for (so be careful what you ask for!), and that you get what you give. I know that life can be unfair, and that this doesn’t always ring true, but I’m basically saying: intention is everything. I’ve been looking at it recently and nodding, all knowing and arch and glad.
So now my main job is to dismantle my mental machine for a little bit over Christmas and try to unwind. Or maybe it’s to build a new machine that is based on letting go. Not necessarily not working as hard – I have an album to share, and more gigs to find (get in touch!), but emotionally, it’s about letting go now. The album is about that for me – about some of the things I’ve been through and moving forward with strength and vulnerability in equal measure, both of which provide their own little feedback loop i.e there’s strength in vulnerability.
I had a few little panic attacks in the week leading up to the launch (which was also the week I got banned from driving for speeding, so a mixed bag!), and they were a little warning sign – I am aware that I need to stay on top of my health – both mental and physical – if 2014 is going to be all that it promises to be. There are a number of ‘mantras’ that have emerged over the last few months, i.e. ‘hold on to everything lightly’, ‘chew your food’ and ‘no matter what happens, you look great in a pirate hat’.
The big one that’s helped sustain my energy and focus came in the aftermath of my housemate, Owen, being taken very ill, and in the build up to launching the record – it’s the one that I put inside the album sleeve, the one that helps me to keep going, and it’s this:
COURAGE ONLY COUNTS WHEN YOU’RE TERRIFIED.
It’s okay to be shitting yourself most of the time (not literally, you might want that sorted). And it’s okay to have a mantra. It’s okay to have panic attacks when you’re really stressed, and it’s okay to ask for help and tell people about that. It’s okay to be proud of the things that you’ve achieved. It’s okay to be scared of them too. The main this is to keep going and breathing and making and asking and seeking and listening and singing and sleeping and laughing.
And when I think about it all, as proud as I am of the new record, my main achievement this year has been keeping an even keel. I said it at the launch on Saturday (did I over-share? Always hard to gauge!) and I’ll say it again – as someone who suffers from intermittent bouts of crippling depression, I’ve learned that empathy is the antidote to shame. For me, making music and listening to music is one of the most therapeutic things I can do (along with making Daal and going to the gym). The idea that other people connect to my music I make feels quite miraculous and ace, and is part of the empathy-making-machine that helps me stay okay. So thank you, and thank God for music.
There are many other wonderful people to thank, – my incredible producers Alex Ross and Jonathan Bidgood (IMAGO BUNKER 4 EVA!), Sean Keeble at Bishop Auckland College and Pinky Binks who gave of their time and expertise to get all of the IMAGO emblazoned chopping board, bibs, high vis vests, mugs, oven gloves, door hangers, etc. etc. etc. made up (could NOT have done it without you and your cupboard of joy), the incredibly generous and visionary Jo and Carl and the Cumberland Arms, all at St Luke’s who allowed us to create a very special gig, those who played on Saturday at the Cumberland in support of the launch – Matt Stalker (who has been a total rock to me throughout the making, along with Alex and Jon, and whom also plays guitar on the album and has his own album coming out next year), Ditte Elly (who also created the Ink Drawing for the front cover), Nev Clay (genius), Adam Kent (creative brother and fellow Shark), Dave Haley and family for the first IMAGO house gig, Clymene and Graham for the second…Tommy Anderson for designing the sleeve….Brendan Murphyfor brass percussion on the record, James Lewis for cello…Joe Haydon for filming the launch, Phil Punton for photographing it…and everyone who came to the shows and continues to come to them….erm…Alfie the dog…my P.E. teacher in high school…..to be honest, right now, you are all whirring around in my head and my heart like beautiful-but-frantic moths, and I am afraid that if I begin a proper thank you list I would miss somebody out, so I might save the proper gushing for Christmas Day, which feels like a good day to give thanks, and make it more poetic, along with publishing every one of the personalised poems that I have written for Crowdfunders (I’ll publish them here i think, so watch out for that!)
For now, I’m going to put some ice on my face, watch cartoons and allow the warm glow of IMAGO to spread as it continues to emerge like the beautiful gift it’s turning out to be.
Much love and thanks that extend and continue to mushroom beyond words. Whatever it is you need to do or to get through – KEEP GOING> EVERYTHING IS POSSIBLE AND YOU AINT ON YER TOD. Love, Beccy x
p.s. here’s a random selection of images (the really pro ones are byPhil Punton) from the past few weeks. UNTIL NEXT TIME MEGADUDES xxxxxxxxxxxxxx
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POSTED IN PROSE, UNCATEGORIZED EDIT
IMAGO
PEOPLE OF THE PLANET KNOWN AS 'GOOD EGG'.
Last week I got the master back of IMAGO from Abbey Road, and I am totally chuffed with how it is sounding (great job by Simon Gibson, not to mention Alex Ross and Jonathan Bidgood - my producers). And thank YOU for making that possible.
The CDs are currently in at the printers and I have put an order in for Vinyl, although it will take a little bit longer for this to happen...you can order the record digitally, on CD or on vinyl here: http://beccyowen.bandcamp.com/album/imago
I am having a great time writing the personalised poems (40 in all!) for everyone who bought this as a reward, some of them are even feeding back into new songs (virtuous circle, anyone!? Love it!) and have made a start on the 6 cover versions as well (ACDC? bring it!).
The physical rewards - oven gloves, door hangers, baby bibs...the list goes on - are all finished, thanks to the AMAZINGLY TALENTED AND KIND SEAN KEEBLE at Bishop Auckland college who has given of his own time to make this happen. Thank you Sean, and also Pinky Binks for all you support (check out Pinky's wicked blog here: http://pinkybinks.com/)
One snag: I've had a problem with the calendars. They were ordered through a separate company and they still haven't arrived yet (I got a propotype but that's it). The company reckon they posted them, I haven't received them. If I can't resolve this within the next week or so, I'm afraid I'll have to either refund the people who chose this reward or offer you a different one! You'll get an email soon if you ordered one.
Plans for the album launch party on the 14th December are going very well, and there are still some tickets available from the following link, so get ordering to avoid disappointment (100 capacity) : http://www.wegottickets.com/event/244775 (it would be great to celebrate together)
GOOD NEWS: I've just been able to lower the ticket price for the launch, also due to the crowdfunding campaign (ANOTHER virtuous circle)
The Crack Magazine (http://www.thecrackmagazine.com/view-editorial/1168) and NARC magazine have both reviewed the album and previewed the launch, so check it out online or pick up free copies of each if you're in the North East of England.
And finally, just to say again a MASSIVE THANK YOU again for all your on going support. Without wanting to go all 'X Factor' on you, this really has been an incredible journey, embodying everything I love about being a DIY musician i.e. community and audacity, and you've completely flung open the gateway for me to have the confidence to bundle this little album into the light.
Keep spreading the word you wonderful people, and I'll hopefully see you at a gig soon (I'll update tour dates ASAP)
Thanks again,
Beccy x
Morning TEAM!
Thank you for your amazing support so far. We are currently £141 away from reaching 3K for the crowdfunding of my new record IMAGO.
I am brewing ideas for the next 'thank you' video, and I'm secretly dwelling in the hope that we might realise the big 3K. So please do share the site with friends and family you think may be interested in helping this new music to be released into the world.
If we get to 3K, I promise I will shut up about the crowdfunding and get on with making the actual record!
Again - thanks very much for all the donations so far. 160 backers so far. AMAZING.
Also - just to remind you, there are still 2 tickets left for the Hexham House gig on the 13th December (the night before the official launch)
You can now get tickets for the actual launch on the 14th December here (there are currently 50 left, so do book early if you can to avoid disappointment)
http://www.wegottickets.com/event/24477
Much love and thanks
Beccwhy x
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xr_MacBu2x8
AN IMPORTANT MESSAGE FROM MC TIGER CANS TO THANK ALL DONATIONS TO THE CROWDFUNDING FOR IMAGO (new solo record
http://www.sponsume.com/project/beccy-owen-new-solo-album-imago-released-2013
LYRICS:
Now I ain't sayin' I’m a gold digger
And thanks to you I aint too broke da broke
Now I ain't sayin' I’m a gold digger
I’m gonna make a record dope-da-dope
Get down girl go head get down
Get down girl go head get down
Get down girl go head get down
Get down I got an album to make
Five long years, five long years,
And after only seven days I’ll tell y’what y’all did -
You know you people paying child support for one of my kids
Cos I’m the main IMAGO mamma, lovin’ all o’ yo bids
You won’t see me on TV any given Sunday
People rising up, we gonna fund it our own way
I was s’posed to make IMAGO CD mode with your money
You went and gave so much it’s Abbey Road with your money
I’m feeling like Kanye Owen with your money
I promise not to run off to Hawaii with your money
If you ain't no punk holla we want VINYL - WE WANT VINYL!
It's something that you need to have
My TEAM IMAGO’s getting bigger with you lasses and lads,
Tiger Cans invitin’ you to huddle up close
7 days o’pure beneveolence, I’m feelin’ y’dose!
CHORUS
Now I ain't saying I’m a gold digger I got needs
I need to put out all my words across some new melodies
Cos I been paying it forward with the music, believe
We got the mixing to do, we gonna roll up our sleeves
But - while we mixing be thinkin’
Can Beccy come and give your old piano a-tinklin’?
I got that ambition, baby, look in my eyes
This year i’ll make a record and the next I’ll play it live,
So stick by my side I know my facebook’s flooding yer newsfeeds with pride,
I’m gone keep thanking and saying cos you keep giving
But if you’re skint I understand about the cost o’ livin’
Get down girl go head get down
Get down girl go head get down
Get down girl go head get down
Get down girl go head
(lemme hear that back)
(THANK YOU)
TEAM IMAGO!
We made the news.
https://twitter.com/davidfhaley/status/384299823362756608/photo/1
Thanks, as ever, for each and every penny. It means the world to me and all goes back into making IMAGO.
Beccy x
Really, really overwhelmed by all the donations so far and the continuing support - the more we raise the more that becomes possible!
Kinda wishing I'd made the target 3K but didn't want to be too cocky or greedy, having never Crowdfunded before...! I reckon 3K is more like what we need for the CD/Vinyl/Tour combo, so every penny will continue to go back into this - I'm just really chuffed to be able to afford a CD run now. Anything else is a TOTAL BONUS.
Thank you once again for engaging and giving so wonderfully. Great to see people enjoying the array of rewards. Also - the date for the house gig is now confirmed as Friday 13th December.
Here is a short video to show my appreciation to you, TEAM IMAGO:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a2eJnuimBPU
xxxx
It's okay! I've worked out how to access all the info! Thanks everyone! x
Hey everybody.
Thanks to those of you who have donated so far. REALLY GRATEFUL!!!
For some reason this site isn't sharing with me who has chosen what reward - I have all of your names and addresses and the amount you have pledged, so I can make some educated guesses, but I'd hate to get things wrong.
Can you drop me an email at to just confirm what you were hoping to receive by way of a reward? Then I can rest assured that my database is up to scratch.
Thanks once again, and looking forward to sharing the rewards/music with you as soon as the record is finished,
Lots of love,
Beccy x