Donate to jaylene johnson

So, I am running a crowdfunding campaign to help make "Potter & Clay" happen...Read on for more info, and for various "perks" to go along with donations!

...this particular campaign will end the evening of January 24th.

The purpose of this campaign is to give supporters of my music and ministry the opportunity to…

a)     pre-purchase my record, “Potter & Clay” (digital or physical copies)

b)    make a more significant contribution in exchange for various “perks” (see below!)

c)     help spread the word about the vision, the project, and the progress of the project to people who come aboard as “backers”  

...It also allows me to acknowledge a profound need for community as I take this journey. Yes, a record costs a lot of money to make, but more than anything, music connects us, and this is the ‘heart’ behind offering this chance to take the journey with me.

 The Budget

Crowdfunding will make a significant contribution to the costs involved with making this record! Two songs have already been recorded with the help of a loan from Manitoba Film and Music and the donation of studio time from Signpost Music (yay!). This project is on its way! 

Realistically, an independent recording artist can (modestly) expect to spend $2000+ per song to get a project ready for sale ($20,000+ on a ten song album) Costs involved in getting a project off the ground are put towards things like producer fees, musician fees, engineering fees, mixing, mastering, photography, graphic art and manufacturing – in my case, Signpost Music has offered the free use of their studio, which helps greatly (Thanks Steve Bell and Dave Zeglinski)! 

Please know that no amount is insignificant to me and every dollar amount is appreciated. I fully recognize how hard everyone works and that people have obligations and dreams of their own. It’s a humbling but very “connecting” thing to have people come alongside financially - also just in realizing that people are invested in you and what you’re trying to do…I feel really blessed just to be able to sing again, let alone get to invite you to collaborate with me in a new album venture.

About “Potter & Clay”

The title, “Potter & Clay”, is fitting for me. In the past several years I have been, in so many ways, “broken down”. There has been a lot of loss in my life. I can relate to feeling like a lump of clay, and I admit that, for a time, I forgot that a lump of clay in the hands of the Great Potter is full of potential. That potential is shaped into something beautiful when surrendered to the imagination and formation of the Divine. Such has been God’s profound grace and faithfulness in my life, time and again, and as an artist, this is the story I want to share with this musical offering. 

Songs like “How Long”, “This Little Light” and “Fallin” voice frustration and doubts, while acknowledging a deep longing to move to a new place spiritually. “Lord of All”, “Let My Heart Break” and the title track, “Potter & Clay” speak to the sovereignty of, yet great care of God toward us, a fragile Creation. “I Won’t Be Frightened” and “Rest in Me”, are reminders of that care and love. All are songs coming from a vulnerable, honest and raw place, and will be (fittingly) more acoustic and organic sounding than my last two records. My hope is that they’ll minister to you in a way that draws you deeper spiritually and offers hope and encouragement, but also that allows you to acknowledge the laments in your own heart.

Media for you NOW

Please watch the video to hear more of the story that led to the making of this record. There is also a link to a SoundCloud page that features an interview with my friend and colleague, Kyle Rudge, cracking open more of the “heart” behind this crowdfunding venture. It also includes (for a limited time only) an opportunity to stream one of the two songs that have already been recorded – the title track, “Potter & Clay”. 

To visit the SoundCloud page, click on this text. 

 The 'Perks'

As mentioned, I’m inviting you to become a collaborator (aka "backer") in this project through your financial gift and your help in promoting this campaign and project. In addition to the awesome feeling that comes from being part of something creative ;) I am offering the following “perks”:

Gifts of $15.00 – Digital Download
Receive a digital download of “Potter & Clay” when it is officially released (Fall 2016).

Gifts of $20.00 – Advance Digital Download
Receive a digital download of “Potter & Clay” well before it is officially released (Summer 2016). You can review it, memorize all of the lyrics and know it inside and out before the public has a chance to hear it!

Gifts of $25.00 – The CD
Receive a copy of the album when it is officially released (Fall 2016).

Gifts of $30.00 – Advance Autographed CD
Receive an autographed physical copy of the record, in advance of the release date. I will mail this to you personally (bring on the bubble wrap envelopes!)

Gifts of $60.00 or more – Show Tickets!
Receive two tickets to my album preview show on January 23rd in Winnipeg, PLUS receive an autographed physical copy of the record, mailed to you in advance of the official release.

Gifts of $100.00 or more – You in the Album Credits!
Have your name listed in the album credits AND receive an autographed physical copy of the record, mailed to you in advance of the official release, plus two tickets to my album preview show on January 23rd in Winnipeg.

Gifts of $200.00 or more – Skype with Me! 
Let’s take a half an hour for Q & A, songwriting/music talk, or telling jokes (be warned that I’m terrible at that)! Seriously, let’s have some cyber face-time and connect. Oh, and you will also receive an autographed physical copy of the record, mailed to you in advance of the official release, two tickets to my album preview show on January 23rd in Winnipeg, AND have your name listed in the album credits.

Gifts of $500.00 or more – Livingroom Listening Party!***
Receive a house concert with 15 or so of your friends (you can even sell them tickets for this to help recover some of your donation)…I’ll bring my guitar and come to your house for an hour set of original songs. If you don’t live in Winnipeg, though, you’ll have to cover my travel expenses, and house and feed me (see below for details). You’ll also receive an autographed physical copy of the record, mailed to you in advance of the release, two tickets to my album preview show on January 23rd in Winnipeg, AND have your name listed in the album credits. 

Gifts of $1000.00 or more – A Song for You***
You pick the topic or tell me your story (via Skype or telephone) and I will write you a song! We can reveal it at a Livingroom Listening Party with 15 or so of your friends, and I’ll provide a simple recording for you as well. (Note: If you don’t live in Winnipeg, you’ll have to cover my travel expenses, and house and feed me. See below for details). You’ll also receive an autographed physical copy of the record, mailed to you in advance of the release, two tickets to my album preview show on January 23rd in Winnipeg, AND have your name listed in the album credits. Finally, I will personally select and mail you a unique trivet, artfully crafted by Manitoba potter, Kathleen Estey.

Gifts of $1500 or more – Workshop!***
I’ve learned a thing or two over the years, about songwriting, performing, singing, leading worship…Let me share that with you and your small group, church or organization. Having a teaching background, I like to make my workshops interactive, informative and fun. I’ll also include a concert for your group as part of our time together. If the event isn’t in Winnipeg, you’ll have to cover my travel expenses, and house and feed me (see below for details). You’ll also receive an autographed physical copy of the record, mailed to you in advance of the release, two tickets to my album preview show on January 23rd in Winnipeg, AND have your name listed in the album credits. Finally, I will personally select and mail you a unique trivet, artfully crafted by Manitoba potter, Kathleen Estey.

Gifts of $2000 or more – Executive Level Backer***
Receive one of every record and item of merchandise I have to offer (including three previous full-length records, tshirts, tote bags, buttons, magnets and zipper pulls). Also receive a special mention for your company (or whomever you designate) in the liner notes. PLUS receive your choice of a house concert, a workshop or a “Song for You”. (Please note that any travel expenses involved would need to be covered in addition to this donation - see below for details). Of course, you will also receive an autographed physical copy of the record, mailed to you in advance of the release, two tickets to my album preview show on January 23rd in Winnipeg, and I will personally select and mail you a unique trivet, artfully crafted by Manitoba potter, Kathleen Estey.

***Disclaimers: Any future house concert or workshop dates must be agreed upon by Dec 31st, 2016 or be forfeited. All travel expenses must be covered for events 100kms or more from Winnipeg. Also, a sound system must be provided for workshop and concert events more than 400kms outside of Winnipeg.

If you REALLY like to give, any of the above perks can be passed on to a loved one or group of your choice…You will just need to message me and let me know.

Finally…

ALL of my backers will receive regular updates regarding the progress of this project, as well as access to any blogs, videos and supplementary literature created that share the ongoing story and song stories. 

From the bottom of my imperfect, clay heart, thank you so much for considering being part of this journey with me as a backer…I am very blessed to be able to sing and record and share my stories. I can’t wait to hear from you!

Love,

Jaylene xo