Let me immediately start with the most exciting news...
A new single is out on Friday!
Yes, a new single is dropping on Friday. I’ll be releasing the album title track “Villainess”. The single will also include Dark Heart Punisher Remix by The Fair Attempts and the instrumental version of Villainess.
You can already pre-save the link on Spotify and get notified as soon as it goes live:
https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/jessifrey/villainess-ep
I’ve also made a video for the song, which is inspired by my favourite Disney villainesses. Here’s a little teaser:
March in Review
As you’ve probably noticed, I ran a crowdfunding campaign in March! The campaign lasted 28 days and during those 28 days I released 12 videos introducing the tracks and as well as talking about songwriting, singing and my influences. You can find the videos now on my website and YouTube channel.
The crowdfunding campaign closed a week ago, last Monday, and I was really happy with how it all went. In the end the campaign gained 44 backers and £4690 raised, which is about €5400 or $6100. The results are incredible, but the best part was to connect with so many people and have so much feedback. I am truly no longer working on this thing alone and I’m so grateful for everyone who backed and shared this campaign. Thank you so much!
The campaign initiated many things that I hadn’t really planned in advance. I got connected with a promoter and in the end decided to do a full album release campaign with her. As I mentioned in the previous email, this will delay the release date, but I’m excited to give this album the best launch I can. All backers will get their music in the beginning of June as promised. However, the album release date is now 23 August.
How to do it all
Let me also take a moment to reflect on the process as well. So many people have been asking me how I have time for all this when I have a busy job, and a family with two young children.
The thing is, even when getting all this done, I’m not spending a huge amount of time on it per week. I have learned to be super-focused, and I’m really just doing one thing at a time.
In January it was about finishing the music and getting the Dark Heart single ready. In February it was the design work and preparing for the crowndfunding campaign. And in March I was 100% focused on the crowdfunding campaign.
Throughout the process of making this album I’ve felt really good about everything - I know what I want and I know how to get it done. I’m also just not doing some things that I probably would if I had more time.
Over the years I’ve learned that the only way to do creative work sustainably and with ease is by approaching it as a gift to yourself, as much deserved me-time. During this process I’ve become really aware of this particular point.
I’ve done it the other way too. Taking everything super seriously. Having the all-or-nothing mentality. Barely sleeping, as I’ve been running around trying to do all things at the same time. I’m not going to do that anymore.
This work is not another ever-growing to-do list that I need to plough through. It’s my sanctuary. It’s a place to rest, have fun and experiment. Even the less artistic parts of it, such as releasing and marketing.
I guess I just wanted to say this, in case you are harboring a dream of creating something yourself. Maybe releasing music of your own, or writing a book or starting a business, but you don’t think you can because you don’t have the time for it.
I hope you enjoy the new single! I’ll be sending you the full track on Friday!