Do you feel like you are always looking for Jewish music that inspires you and speaks to you? Have you ever dreamt of making music and inspiring others? Well now is your chance!
Join my project, and together we can do just that!
WHO AM I?
My name is Benji Elson, and I am a Jewish experiential-educator, musician, and songwriter living in the holy city of Jerusalem. For the past ten years, I have been writing music and playing it to little groups around the world where it has been warmly received. Today, I am very pleased, excited to announce that I am finally about to pull all those songs together and record my first-ever debut album in an attempt to reach even more people!
I believe music is the best channel into a person’s souls, and therefore I have been writing songs with the goal of “inspiring Jews to become better Jews, and human-beings to become better human-beings”. My music’s intention is to instill in my audience a deeper belief in themselves, in the Jewish people, and in humanity as a whole.
This album will be inspiring songs mostly in English and peppered with Hebrew riffs every now and then. The lyrics are infused with elevated Jewish liturgy and profound nursery rhymes; deep Chassidic theology and lofty ethical principles; psycho-spiritual messages and beautiful imagery. Each song touches on a different genre including singer-songwriter-folk, reggae, bluegrass, reggae, niggun, and even alternative rock.
MY PROJECT: MY MISSION
These days, many Jews are searching for a way to connect to Judaism, as well as a bridge to connect others and the future generation. Music, education, and culture offer considerable opportunities to bring Judaism to life for individuals of all backgrounds. My songs teach Jewish concepts and values while packaged in a unique, artistic, inviting, and sophisticated way. My music is as equally accessible to the “fully initiated” as to the most recent beginner.
In these past ten years of writing and sharing my music, I have often been approached by audience members who shared how inspired they were by my songs. Many have confessed their surprise at seeing the depth of meaning Jewish music could convey, or told me that hearing my sound made them want to learn more about Judaism.
Yet, I can only reach so many people while performing to small groups. I want to be able to reach many more people- maybe even the world! Being able to professionally record my music will give me the chance to do so!
WHAT WILL YOUR CONTRIBUTION DO?
Being a solo artist, with no label or band support, I am financially responsible for every aspect of the production of this album. Recording and producing an album is not easy or cheap. It entails renting studio time, hiring numerous musicians, a sound engineer/producer. The production process includes mixing the tracks (balancing all of the instruments in a song), mastering (setting all of the songs at the same volume as other music in your collection), printing the album cover and lyrics pamphlet (and making it beautiful!), duplication (making CDs/download cards), distribution (getting the album on online platforms and into stores), and promotion (advertising, marketing, and mailing costs).
All of these are essential elements to making a successful album and will cost at least $15,000. I have set my goal at $12,000 so as not to overshoot but the truth is it will cost more than that.
You can help me out with this ambitious project – and earn exclusive rewards, perks, or private performances – in two ways:
- Publicity: You can shout the good news from every hilltop!- or share this campaign through emails, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, if that’s easier, and help me reach even more people!
- Contributions: Because producing an album alone is expensive and hard, every penny counts. If you can make any financial participation to help me reach the $12,000 I am aiming for, I will be eternally grateful. Plus you’ll earn all sorts of cool perks!
But most of all, my biggest hope is that you enjoy listening to my music as much as I enjoyed the process of writing, and bringing it to you!
Thank you!!
Benji
