Appeal from Julie Christensen

[jarkko]

From Julie Christensen:

I'm still buzzing, though I should be in bed asleep! We got home from the Live Oak Festival north of Santa Barbara a little while ago. What a beautiful day and night! Thanks to Jeff Turmes , my friend and new producer who plays in Mavis Staples' great band, my husband John and our son Jackson got to go as guests to the wonderful Live Oak Festival's 23rd annual closing night. A great Father's Day. When we met Mavis, I told her that Jackson had sung "The Weight" for his school, so she said, "Come up and sing the 3rd verse with us tonight, then. She is a bighearted big-voiced dynamo, and it was wonderful.

Thanks so much to those of you who have already pledged in our renewed fund drive for the album I'm finally going to make this fall! And thanks also to you who donated directly to the site. I still have the $$ and promise to make good on the music that has taken so long to materialize in these rough times. I KNOW they're rough. But it only takes as little as $1 to help us out and become a backer, so you can get updates and see things like the video John took of Jackson and me onstage tonight with Mavis (which I will put up on the kickstarter page updates for backers only in the next couple days).

Your pledge goes through Amazon payments, and doesn't charge you unless and until we meet our entire goal by July 27. That way, you know it's going to actually get done! It takes only about 5-10 minutes (or less if you already have bought things through Amazon and can remember your password!) Details and our pitch video (shot and edited by the multitalented Magnus Jackson Diehl, our son...!) can be seen by clicking this link. If you can't give, please repost on your facebook, twitter, or email. Thanks a million. We're really excited about this record!

http://kck.st/m06V6D


Yours Truly,
Julie

Julie Christensen
http://www.stonecupid.com

[Kush]

This is a first, an interesting way to make an album. But it sounds like it could be worthwhile...it wasnt clear to me at what stage the album is in at this time, but I only briefly looked at the website.

[MaryB]

Looks like if we had originally been a backer, this is all wiped out and we have to re-pledge. Do you know if this is correct Jarkko?

[stonecupid]

Hi. Julie here. Thanks for posting this, Jarkko! Yes, Mary, it's true that last year's pledges became null, and it would be wonderful if you'd pledge again. The good news is that this year, international users can pledge! One just needs to make an Amazon.com account. It's not charged until we fund (I'm very hopeful this time) on July 27.
As far as what stage the album is in: we are booking studio time for mid-August thru the end of September, have picked 15 great songs to record, 11 or 12 of the best of which will be on the finished album-- we may offer bonus tracks to backers. Jeff and I will be getting together again tomorrow for the fifth time to play through things, arrive at arrangements and instrumentation, and cast great musicians we know. My experience is that with a lot of pre-planning, we can be economical and efficient in the studio and capture the magic. I'm very excited to share this music with you, so I hope you'll consider pledging. (you can pledge as little as $1!
Gratefully Yours,
Julie

[Cheshire gal]

Hi Julie,

Wishing you good luck this year getting your album completed. I did pledge last year and have done so again. I am sure it will be great.

Best wishes
Marie

[stonecupid]

Thanks so much, Marie, Jarkko, Judy, Lizzy, and everyone else from this forum who've been so supportive through the years.

Here again is the direct link to share for the album fundraiser. Feel free to re-post if you can't pledge!

http://kck.st/m06V6D
Best Always,
--Julie

[MaryB]

Julie,

Thank you for the info. Have just re-pledged and will pass along the link to others. Wishing you the best of luck on this project. I am looking forward to hearing the finalized product.

Warmest regards,
Mary

[stonecupid]

Hello again to the forum! Thanks, Jarkko, Mary, and Marie for pledging. I know it must seem that I come here only for appeals for fundraising. Alas, that is part of the nature of being an independent musician these days-- the fundraising. I've always been appreciative of this community's support since back in 1988 and 1993 when I sang all over the world with Leonard. To those of you who gave last year at my site, thank you! I still have that money saved for the project I am at last making! Our son Jackson will be off at college, And I'm filling my empty nest with music!
Please pass the word if you can. The drive ends July 27.
Thank you!
http://kck.st/m06V6D

With respect,
Julie

[stonecupid]

BTW, if you gave at the site, I have that $$. If you pledged at kickstarter LAST year, no money changed hands. Thx!http://kck.st/m06V6D

[MaryB]

Julie,

I never sensed that you come here only for fundraising. Anyway, what better place to do so than here on this forum - I love that you are here.

When you toured with LC, aside from how beautifully your voice meshed with his, your chemistry with LC was positively electric. I just hope that all the vast number of members here that feel that way also will take the time to pledge to your upcoming CD!

Warmest regards,
Mary

[stonecupid]

Thanks so much for your kind words, Mary! We're halfway there, and trying to keep up the momentum. Will keep u posted.

[stonecupid]

Hello to the fine members of this forum.
I'm always grateful for all Leonard's community who remember me, and our work together.

Here again is the direct link to share for my album fundraiser. Feel free to re-post if you can't pledge! And you can pledge as little as $1 USD, so you can get our fun updates. And of course our gratitude.

http://kck.st/m06V6D

Best Always,
--Julie

Julie Christensen (backup/duet singer with Leonard in 1988 and 1993, and on The Future and Cohen Live)
http://www.stonecupid.com

[sturgess66]

http://www.ojaipost.com/2011/07/the-oja ... d-friends/

The Ojai Art Center Presents Siren-Supreme Julie Christensen and Friends

by Linda Harmon on July 20, 2011


Local songstress Julie Christensen will bring her
powerful voice to Jammin' series at Art Center

Ojai is sizzling this Sunday as the Ojai Art Center presents siren-supreme vocalist Julie Christensen and friends…Jimmy Calire, James Antunez, and Jim Connolly. The evening is part of “Jammin’ at the Art Center,” a series of outdoor music concerts featuring the best in an eclectic mix of local music.

Christensen, the former member of post-punk rock band The Divine Horsemen, has metamorphosed into a vocal shape shifter, describing her current work as having its roots “in soul, jazz, and folk music, but its wings in the sky over a blue landscape of the home of the heart.”

Her talents were recently described in LA WEEKLY as, “… from angelic, folksy charm to truly badass bluesy wails; …one of the loveliest voices in contemporary music.”

Christensen has worked internationally with Leonard Cohen, Todd Rundgren, Robben Ford, Iggy Pop, Public Image Limited, Van Dyke Parks, John Doe, Exene Cervenka, Steve Wynn, and k.d. lang. She recently appeared in Hal Willner’s Leonard Cohen tribute Came So Far For Beauty and the documentary Leonard Cohen: I’m Your Man.

Don’t miss this golden opportunity for a night of transformation under the Ojai sky.

And save the dates for these additional concerts; Japanese folk guitarist Goh Kurosawa, in a benefit performance for The Japanese Children’s Relief Fund July 31st, the bluegrass and folk of The Restless Hillfillies August 7th, the New Orleans funk of the Ojai Mardi Gras Band August 14th, the Bing Crosby to Prince repertoire of The Household Gods August 21st, and the sweet folk of Alan Thornhill & Friends ending the series August 28th.

Make a date to join us for 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. on our outdoor patio at the Ojai Art Center, 113 S. Montgomery. There will be food, beer, wine and spirits.

Tickets are $10 with children under 12 free.
Find out more about Julie and her music at www.stonecupid.com.

[Cheshire gal]

Just a few more days left to make a pledge to get Julie's new album completed. She is nearly there fans. Lets get it rolling.
Remember that wonderful voice backing Leonard on his 80's and 90's tours. Priceless.

[stonecupid]

Thanks for posting this! 