Photos by Silveredge Photography

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What an experience!

I’ve never made a video clip before. I had little idea of what to expect. I wanted to create a visually exciting video to compliment my music, entice viewers, reach new fans, and ultimately enhance my web persona. I see how important things like YouTube have been for a musician’s profile, and ashamedly I haven’t made video clips a priority. But there’s a first for everything.

It all started when I was visiting my Sydney hometown late last year, and chilling over chocolate and tea (my poison of choice) with my long time mates, Jess and Bec. Bec Greensill works as Standby Props for the long-standing Aussie TV series, Home & Away. The idea came up that we could make me a video clip.

Bec’s enthusiasm blew me away…

And it all began…

Director & Writer: Rebecca Greensill

Not only is Bec a crew member for Home & Away, she’s also a writer, director and actress, spending her spare time working with the Lane Cove Theatre Company. Her pantomimes are delightfully witty, contemporary, and her directing abilities are particularly inspiring to many youths, bringing out their in the most uplifting and enjoyable of ways. What a privilege to have her write and direct my clip!

Song Choice: Hero in Me

Easy choice! Hero in Me is one of the most popular tracks on my latest album; it’s uplifting, commercial, and it has a modern day message portrayed in an honest yet light-hearted manner.

The song is about a tomboy finding her way in the world, with this deep desire to be a hero and save all the girls. The ending reveals in fact the tomboy herself needs a hero: her own lady love.

CLICK HERE for LYRICS

CLICK HERE for FREE MP3

Storyline:

Bec is the genius behind the storyline for the video clip. She toyed with different ideas – from following the song’s actual storyline, to a mix of over-the-top-superheros. Instead, we settled on a parallel storyline (is that a thing? I’m not a writer/director, so I’m unsure of all these terms) intertwined with me singing live. It goes as such:

I’m in a boardroom (or should I say “boredroom”) analysing the trends of annual paint sales (fun fun, hey?). I am completely uninspired and disinterested. I started doodling a superhero on a page. When I look up, all my colleagues have turned into children, and we are now looking at a slideshow that reads: “HOW TO BE A SUPERHERO”. Suddenly my enthusiasm peaks. With each change of slide show topic, the clip cuts to me acting out the practical components of Super Hero School: I build the JB superhero gadget, I catch a random litter bug (THE BAD GUY!!) on the street, I attempt to fly. It’s all rather tongue and cheek, over the top, and light hearted, intertwined with the “real” me singing live with my guitar. When I am shaken back into the real world, I come home uninspired from my “bored” meeting, to hug my beautiful lady who hands me an application to join the paramedic team. The moral of the story? My lady is my hero, inspiring me to be the best person I can be, and encouraging me to take on my dreams and find the hero in me: a paramedic (and aren’t nurses and paramedics, doctors, such heroes in our society!)

Location: MNR Constrcutions

Filming was held at MNR Constructions in Tempe, NSW. MNR Constructions VERY kindly allowed us to use their workshop. It was perfect with workshop space, tools, the boardroom, and many nearby locations including a park, sea shanties, water, and the iconic eyesore of Tempe: the water tower.

Preparation:

Gosh I can’t comprehend the amount of preparation required to getting a video clip happening. Most of it was thanks to MONTHS of preparation by Bec Greensill and assistant Jess Branch. The pair hunted for locations, created slide shows and sketches, and got props and filming equipment ready. There was script writing, story board designing, organising logistics and call sheets, managing the crew. So much happens before the day of filming. All for 3:30seconds of footage.

Rose Edwards redesigned the logo on my lyrca suit (to avoid a run in with the REAL Superman). MNR Constructions made JB ninja stars. Tom and Adam made props. And my lovely aunty and uncle, Janet & Owen Quinlan prepared a full day of catering for 36 people so we would have enough energy to sustain a day of filming.

In contrast, my part was quite small. I practised singing/playing to the recording of Hero in Me, flew to Sydney, and simply figured out my costumes with the help of Cai: 3 stage outfits, business attire, workshop attire, casual attire, and superman suit.

Filming Day:

Up at 4:00am, flight from Melbs to Sydney, on set by 8:30am (I’m hoping my saggy eye bags can be photoshopped). Cai and I were welcomed with breakfast from my amazing chef of an aunty (she’s partly to blame for my chocolate addiction), and a terrifically enthusiastic team (many of whom I hadn’t yet met).

It was like walking into a city of ants, everyone busy, on the go, each with their own important role to play to keep the city functioning. It uplifted me to realise all of them were there in support of a video clip for MY song. It felt amazing to be part of such a team.

There was no muckin’ around. I met the crew and jumped into the first scene for the day – in a workshop (which isn’t the first scene of the clip) . Nervous, I threw on my brother’s overalls, rubbed dirt on my hands, and got into position.

All of the filming crew were from Home & Away. It was such a privilege to have them working on my clip. It was soon apparent that each of them had a huge passion for their roles, and were so keen to volunteer their time, grow in their fields, and gain more experience being part of projects outside of Home & Away.

I had never put too much thought into how a show like Home & Away comes together, but apparently there are around 100 or so staff working on getting the show happening. I myself, had overlooked the importance of a role like Prop Manager. Tom Gibson was on props and he just made it all happen. He was in charge of handing me bits of wood, tools, ninja stars, and designing set layouts. He put little bits of green tape on the ground to show me where to stand (more often than not I’d miss my landing by an inch or two and we’d have to do redo the take). For continuity, Tom had to make sure the props were in exactly the same position for each take.

Adam Chantler was on lighting (and camera support). His aim was to get the best light for each shot, by whacking up a big foam reflector, or bouncing light off walls to highlight my face. There was a science to it. All I can say is I felt sorry for Adam’s arms… holding stands in position for take after take. Dedication!

Ben Mezups, brother of Sam Mezups who owns MNR Constructions, operated the camera. Gosh he did a great job. The angles, the zoom. We only had one camera. So we’d have to repeat scenes, doing exactly the same thing, exactly the same way, and Ben would grab the scene from a different perspective.

Unbeknown to me, there was more time between “Rolling” and “Action” than I expected.

Quiet on set! –>  Standby Cameras –> Standby Jen –>Here we go –> Rolling –> Speed –> Slate in –> Roll 8, Scene 3, Take 2 –> (Background action!) –> Action!

At the beginning of the day, I’d stand there anxiously waiting for my part… By the end of the day I was chatting with crew right up until “Action” (naughty!)

I tended to overact – which perhaps works for an over-the-top Super Hero vibe, but certainly wasn’t always ideal. Director Bec Greensill was awesome to work with, and never crushed my spirit or told me I wasn’t doing it right. She simply nudged me in the right direction with every take. She said it’s easier when actors OVERACT cos you can always pull them back. It’s much harder to ask someone who underacts to GIVE MORE when they have nothing more to give.

From watching little pieces of the clip, I realise now that stage acting and TV acting are so very different. On stage it’s all about grand gestures so the audience experiences a sense of passion and movement, even when they’re watching from the back row. But on camera it’s all in the subtleties: the twitch of a nose, the tilt of an eyebrow, a single glance. My initial “SHOCKED” impersonation was so over the top I was springing from my chair onto the floor, gasping, eyes and mouth as open as possible. Slowly, under Bec’s direction, this turned into a slight leaning of the head and smaller eye/mouth movements.

The boardroom scene was great fun. Monique, the lecturer in the boardroom meeting, would come out with some CRACKERS as she talked about the analysis of annual paint sale trends. I had to block her out to get into the zone, or I’d burst into laughter. Every take we did, she’d come out with something different to keep us alive through its repetitiveness.

The kids were amazing to work with. Generally directors say kids and animals are hard to work with… but these kids ruled. They were all so keen and excited to help out, whether on screen or off. Those that weren’t in the scene loved working the film clapper, and sitting with Assistant Director Sean Mobbs to watch what was happening on the screen. They were pros. It wouldn’t have been the same without them.

The superman scenes were… awkward. I came out in my lycra costume that’s… not the slightest bit flattering… with lumps in all the wrong places. It didn’t help that I’m 5 foot tall and the costume was made for a 6 foot man. I kept telling myself “Don’t be insecure… or it will come across that way… just let go of insecurities, let go. You are what you are.” Bec came and had a quiet word to me when I first walked out as Super Jen. She said “Jen, just COMMIT. Take a breath before you walk out, and COMMIT to it. You can do it. ” Commit.

The whole team of 36 watched in silence as I peered out the door in my lyrca suit… revealing SUPER JEN to the world. And YES, we had TWO FANS blowing my hair and cape as I stood in my superhero position. Ah Classic!

Claire Fromm was backstage manager and general “checks”. She’d come over to me between scenes and “shimmy” (as she called it) my lycra pants up into the right position (intimate!), adjust my cape, fix my hair, and we’d roll again. She generally went around the set organising logistics and extras, being awesome, getting extras drinks. She compared the video clip to working on Home & Away, and said H&A is much like a machine, and you do 4 times as much in the same day. The video clip was more relaxed and allowed for creativity.

Assistant Director Sean Mobbs did a terrific job – organising all the scenes, ACTION, getting kids involved. Such a terrific guy to work with. He built me up in moments when I felt I was a tad… silly. Such a professional production to not only have ONE director, but TWO.

Outside, the superhero shots could be summed up as ridiculous – falling over while I chased a littler bug (good running Nic!), falling off a wall, over acting, committing. The extras soaked up the sun waiting patiently to be called on screen, as Super Jen scared members of the public in the downtime (gotta stay in character ya see!)

I felt more at home when it came time to sing with a guitar in my hand. I always wondered how it was done in video clips, thinking you just “mimed”. But instead, I was instructed to sing along to the recording of Hero in Me, and play it how it’s played on the recording (although, this is somewhat challenging for someone who likes to improvise), so I was able to get passionate when playing. It’s funny when you see video clips of an artist hardly moving their lips, miming sweetly, when the audio is so contrastingly yelling. We wanted to avoid that. It helped to pretend the camera lens is another pair of eyes I’m looking at in the audience… otherwise I could fear the camera altogether. My goodness – I’m sure the crew won’t want to hear Hero in Me for a very long time, as I sang it a total of 15 times; this angle, that, wide shot, close up, focus on the guitar, now on the fact, this space, that space, this costume, that costume. Big shout out to Cai who did an AMAZING job on wardrobe, pre-selecting outfits, organising them for each scene, setting up the outdoor change  tent, making sure everything ran super smoothly. What a woman.

All up and AMAZING day. It was SUCH a terrific experience. I was humbled by how many people were there, giving up there Saturday, so happy to jump on board to make it all happen. Such a team effort. There’s NO way I would have been able to do such a video clip without the offering of so many talents, equipment, catering, venue, cast, extras. It was estimated that a clip like this would have cost upward of $10,000, which is rather unobtainable for the indie musician. I was so blessed. What a team! Such a great day What a success!

I’ve seen the rough cut of the clip…. I can’t wait to show you!!!!!

When will it be ready you ask? Bec is just doing some colour gradient matching, and fancy tech editing (what a multi-talented woman). I suspect it will be viewable around June Can’t wait!!!!

Thank yous:

Many many thank yous for the amazing team behind the video clip. I cannot wait to get it onto the world wide web!

Bec, you are an amazing writer and director. So easy to work with, so organised and prepared, experienced, and efficient. You brought out the best in me, and it was so uplifting to experience your enthusiasm throughout the making of the project.

Many many thank yous to Janet Quinlan (and assistant Owen) for your amazing catering. You kept us going!!! Yum. What an effort to cater for the entire crew for an entire day!

Cai, an amazing job on wardrobe, and general support throughout weekend. Behind every musician there’s an equally great woman.

Mum and Dad, you’re always there, ey. Thank ya for bringing the bits and bobs required to get it happening.

Jess, what great drawings and slide show. Thanks for all your time in the months leading up to the shoot. Epic behind-the-scenes effort!  We did it!!!

Rose, I’m so glad I met you. What a great logo (so profesh!), your experienced and cheeky extra work, and general bubbliness around the set!

Monique, gem. Freaking funny! You were all over that “boredroom”.

Cooper and Jackson, you li’l super heros. You guys rock! Don’t grow out of those suits too quickly!

All the kids, Bianca (what a smile!), Phil, Sophie, Daniel, and young adults Hannah, Sarah, Lily, Rachel, thank you for all your behind the scenes efforts! Way to go Daniel, keep reading. I wish I could read novels when I was six. Hope you loved working behind-the-scenes.

Adam, thanks for your huge effort, and coming back for Day 2 to finish off bits and pieces. Great help with lighting and camera control.

Ben, you’ve done a terrific job shooting. TOPS!! You captured some great moments.

Tom, man you are good at your job. Just in there, makin’ it happen.

Claire, you are awesome. You’re so bubbly and helpful and proactive and smiley.

Sean, top bloke. So easy going and friendly with the whole cast and crew. Thanks for making me feel comfortable for my first ever film clip.

Big thank you to Sophie Greensill from SilverEdge Photography, all the way from Brisbane. I smiled so big to receive your photos. Those memories, I’ll keep forever. What an awesome time.
Nic, thanks for running slowly and helping me up when I fell…. Great chewing!

Extras Vanessa, Elly, Andrew, Nicola, Jana, Bella, Daniel, David, Sophie, thank you for donating your day to help out with the clip. I loved having you there and hope it was a memorable experience.

Daniel Linssen, sorry I didn’t clean my hands before shaking yours… awkward.

Last but certainly not least, thank you Sam and Terry from MNR Constructions for lending the venue. Gosh, that was huge of you. Many many thank yous.

Photos by SilverEdge Photography

Credits:

Director
Rebecca Greensill

Writer
Rebecca Greensill

Assistant Director
Sean Mobbs

Directors Assistant
Jess Branch

Camera
Ben Mezups
Adam Chantler

Lighting
Adam Chantler

Backstage Manager & Checks
Claire Fromm

Props & Art Department
Tom Gibson

Photography
Sophie Greensill – SilverEdge Photography
Rose Edwards

Wardrobe
Cai Balara

Costume Alterations (logo)
Rose Edwards

Drawings & slideshow
Jess Branch

Catering
Janet Quinlan

Catering Assistants
Owen Quinlan
Bill Biddle
Ann Biddle

Venue
MNR Constructions

Extras
Monique Kinerson
Nicholas Greensill
Cooper Greensill
Jackson Greensill
Sophie Greensill
Cai Balara
Rose Edwards
Bianca Tzouimis
Sophie Tzouimis
Phil Tzouimis
Daniel Tzouimis
Amy Tzouimis
David Dumaine
Sarah Edwards
Lily Evesson-Brown
Hannah John
Bella Rolls
Vanessa Bullman
Nicola Nossal
Jana Rider
Rachel Branch
Elly Brus
Andrew Handmer
Daniel Linssen

With a commanding three-piece band, Jenny bewitches you with brilliant original folk/blues tunes that rely on her powerfully emotive voice, an instinctual mastery of the piano and her jaw dropping skills on the guitar.  Removed from the confines of structure, a solo performance is something more altogether; as she finds the freedom to truly express herself, her songs are given the space to travel in previously unexplored directions.

Whether listening to her albums or witnessing this diminutive songstress live on stage, you are humbled by a raw honesty. The intense and somewhat complex style of Jenny’s music touches upon many issues that affect us all… love, loss, fears, hopes – all the challenges life throws at us. And she’s willing to share and let us in. In fact, she’s so damn honest she even talks about her lies! She describes herself as “Missy Higgins meets The Waifs, with some mesmerising guitar voyages and facial expressions thrown in.” In truth, her songs are just so deeply personal, inspiring an incredibly moving listening experience.

Live on stage, Jenny has the ability to resonate with her audience, enticing interaction, moving them to laughter and tears. A Jenny Biddle performance is full of energy and humour. Her guitar intertwines bass notes, percussion and melody so seamlessly that it seems there has to be more than one person on stage, despite conflicting evidence to the contrary. It’s an engaging experience and one that draws in fans who bear witness to Jenny’s musical dexterity, soaking up a musician who is at one moment humble in her abilities, before suddenly letting rip with a blistering guitar attack that’s akin to the power of Ian Moss in full flight.

Quite simply, Jenny Biddle bewitches, as you watch an artist who’s developed the confidence and ability to deliver a show full of musical passion and subtle flair. She’s played over 200 gigs every year since 2006 and has supported music legends like Jeff Lang, Jen Cloher, and the sadly missed Daryl Cotton and his esteemed colleagues, Keays and Morris.

Destined to walk a musical path from a young age, a brief encounter with the ukulele at just 4 years old lit the fire for Jenny’s obsession. Moving on quickly to a lifelong love of the piano at age 5, followed by a passionate and ongoing affair with the guitar from the age of 9, original compositions soon followed… accompanied by a steady stream of awards.

Most recently Jenny won the prestigious title of Melbourne’s Best Busker 2012, a title which she’s held since 2010, along with the People’s Choice Award at the Tamworth Country Music Festival Busking Championship 2012. In 2011, Jen won both the Judges’ Vote and the People’s Choice Awards at the Ballina Country Music Festival. This acknowledgement added to her earlier win of the Just Guitars ‘Best Artist’ award at the 2009 Port Fairy Folk Festival. Suffice to say, recognition of Jenny’s talents by both public and industry alike is quickly growing.

Her first two albums – ‘Chest of Drawers’ and ‘Little Treasures’ – have been met with universal high praise. Reviews described them as “… quite simply remarkable” (Trad & Now magazine) and “Beautiful, no-nonsense folk music, with one of those great emotive voices that echoes just a touch of world-worn huskiness.” (Dom Alessio – Triple J).

Her brand new album ‘Hero in Me’, funded by excited fans, was produced by Thirsty Merc’s former guitarist, and legendary producer, Sean Carey. “From the growls of her more ‘country’ tracks to the way she lulls you in to her ballads….. It has sunshine, clouds and places in the sky to get to” (Mariella Mejia – Gaydar Girls), this album is her most vibrant work to date . Jenny’s first video clip for the title track, Hero in Me, is on the way. Written and directed by Rebecca Greensill with crew support from Home & Away, you’re soon to witness more of Jenny’s animated personality for her most popular iTunes single.    

Like her songs and performances, Jenny Biddle is a striking, charming, refreshing, intense yet sweet person. She’s a master of her craft – one whose talents and tenacity will surely elevate her to the next level in a hurry. Catch her now… before another moment passes by.

 *Jenny’s self-made guitar was part of a first-ever Australian Tone Woods Hand-made Guitar Exhibition called ‘Beyond the Trees’, held at Monstalvat with the support of Thomas Lloyd Guitars.

 Biography by Dave Keogh
Founder Perfect Pitch

Howdy music lover, venue owner, event host

I’ll be away in Italy from May2 to May 24 2013 to build a baritone guitar with Thomas Lloyd Guitars. Exciting times!
I’m unsure of how contactable I will be during this period, but I’ll still accepting gig offers.

I’ve set up the calendar above to let you know of my gig availabilities for the remainder of 2013.
BLANK SPOTS = I’m free and available
GREEN = I’m away from Melbourne/interstate

If you have a gig offer, I’m keen, willing and (potentially) available – whether it’s Sydney, Canberra, Melbs, Brisbane, spaces in between. Check out my whereabouts and availabilities, and if it suits you, it may suit me (I’m flexible ) , shoot me an email: jen@jennybiddle.com. I will do my best to respond ASAP!

Email: jen@jennybiddle.com

Howdy Creative Person,

So you want to do something great, make something marvellous, invest in your ingenious ideas, use your creativity to help the world….. but you don’t have the funds? You’re thinking crowd-funding?

Choice! Crowd-funding can make your creative dreams into a reality

I’d thought I’d do a little blog about crowd-funding your projects, as I’m often asked how I went about funding my third album through Pozible (crowd-funding). I’d like to share with you some tips, ideas, dos & don’ts to help you embark on a successful crowd-funding campaign. I don’t have all the answers, this is certainly not the be all and end all; just some pros and cons of my experience, and hopefully they can be of assistance for getting your creative dreams up and running.

Definition: Crowd-funding is where a whole lot of people chip in get your creation happening.

How’s it Work: You set up a “campaign” online (Pozible, Kickstarter, crowd-funding sites, etc). You have a target and a deadline. You don’t get ANY funds unless you reach your target in the time frame (Possible does this; I’m not sure about other crowd-funding sites). You have rewards for people/fans/supporters to purchase. The combined purchases fund your goal. And BOOM, you have the funds to get your creative dreams into action!

 Background on My Campaign:
The Making of Album #3

www.pozible.com/jennybiddle

Aim: to raise $10,000 to help fund the making of my third album.

Time limit: 90 days (July-October 2012)

Crowd-funding site: Pozible.com

I was itching to create a third album with my best new tunes, something full, inspiring, interesting, polished, with top-notch musos and production. It would cost at least $15,000 to get the album recorded, mixed, mastered, pressed, and made in a pretty package ready to be released into the world. I had the songs but not all the funds to get them out into the world. After witnessing fellow musicians run successful campaigns I decided to give crowd-funding a whirl to raise the money needed for the album.

Before launching my campaign I researched crowd-funding, attended a crowd-funding workshop, talked with successful campaigners (kudos to Sam Buckingham (successful pozible campaigner/ muso) who guided and inspired me), supported other campaigns to view their progress and learn from them, bounced ideas off friends AND fans, and checked out other campaign profiles to evaluate their videos, rewards, strategy, etc.

By the 3 month deadline, fans pledged $12,000 for the making of my third album. Two weeks later I was in the studio recording the 12 track album with the producer I’d been aching for! March 15 I released the album, named Hero in Me. Now I’m onto the next phase of my creative life, making a video clip for the title track of the album.

The support from friends, family, fans and strangers was incredible. It starts off with an idea you’re excited about, and soon you have many people on board, excited, buzzing, the project snowballs and they help make your dream come to life! I couldn’t have done it without their support. Amazing!

You can get your dream happening too!

Check out my campaign www.pozible.com/jennybiddle

FAQs about Crowd-Funding

Which crowd-funding site should I use?

I used Pozible. But check out PledgeMusic, Kickstarter, ask around, there are others. Check out the sites, compare their policies, and make the decision that’s right for you and your project.

What are the fees?

Pozible takes 5%. BUT there were some other “hidden” (less obvious) fees I didn’t QUITE expect.
I equated 5% of $10,000 to be $500. Sounds right…
But I didn’t realise there was also GST, credit card fees, AND paypal fees.
I raised $12000 and $1000 of that went to fees.
When deciding on your goal, consider these fees and leave a little buffer for them.

Is the money taxed?

Yes – it should be claimed as your income.  But alas, I’m no tax expert.

Why not apply for a grant instead?

Granted (excuse the pun) I’ve never actually applied for a grant. But after hearing stories from successful and unsuccessful grant applicators, I decided on crowd-funding instead.

Things to think about when considering crowd-funding vs grants:

• Crowd-funding puts YOU in the driver’s seat to say how much, when, what, how, etc
• Grants are very competitive – many more grants are unsuccessful than successful
• You might have to wait months to find a grant that suits your project
• You have to wait furthermore to find out if you’re successful
• Grants are limited in number, and usually have strict guidelines to conform to
• Grants = stacks of formal paperwork – before, during, and after your project
• Perhaps grants are great for pushing you out of your comfort zone, to help you develop new skills and direct you into areas you didn’t consider
• Crowd-funding gets you interacting with your fans, realising how much your creativity adds value to their lives, and gives them a platform to get involved in the creative process and journey, support you, give AND receive. This strengthens your relationship with your fans.
• Applying for a grant = boring, tedious and compliant; crowd-funding = the sky is the limit, do it your way!

What if I did it on my own, without a crowd-funding site?

Sure. Why not? Melbourne band The Twoks successfully funded their album creating their own crowd-funding kinda campaign and selling products to fans.

Advantages of doing it yourself:

• You cut out the middle man: there’s no GST, hidden overhead fees, credit card fees, or percentage to pay a crowdfunding site. 100% goes to you.
• You can accept payment in cash, direct debit or other forms that crowdfunding sites don’t offer
• You receive funds immediately and you can start your project
• You can create your own deadline (or not)
• You get funds no matter whether you reach your target or not. This however, could make it hard for you to keep your promise of delivering if you don’t receive the target
• You’re in control, fully, there’s no one to report to, or telling you how to do it.

Advantages of using a Crowd-funding site:

• Reputable sites are more trusted; your fans will be more inclined to use them
• You have an easy online interface to set up your profile/campaign
• You get promoted on the crowd-funding site – reach more audience
• The idea of a deadline to get funds creates excitement and urgency
• Everything is documented for you, and in the one place – how much people spent, what reward they selected, their contact details, whether payment was approved, thus easier to keep track of
• The site creates an easy system to communicate with all your supporters – contacting them individually or as a group update
• Crowd-funding sites provide support if needed
• There’s no fear of “funny business” – it’s clear what your motives are, how it works, it’s all on the table, documented, etc.

But isn’t crowd-funding just greedy? Sure, I’ll get all my friends to pitch in for my private jet to Hawaii.

Crowd-funding isn’t about funding your next holiday. It’s about getting the funds to create something that ultimately is a contribution to the world. You’re not getting money for nothing. It’s a pre-paid method of funding your creation. “For $30 you’ll receive a signed copy of the new album.” So YOU get the funds, and when you’re done creating, THEY get the goods. Some supporters may opt to receive no reward, which is amazing to know they support you, but be sure to show them your gratitude.

But what if no one pledges… and my campaign is a big flop?

You can’t go into your campaign thinking this… or you will end up talking yourself into it. If you believe you have something to offer the world and you just need to find the funds to put it out there, then get excited about your project and other people will too. Let the snowball effect begin. You can do it!

What timeframe should I set for my campaign?

Pozible gives you a max of 90 days. I chose the maximum for my campaign, thinking the more time the better – that I could get word out to more people, build hype, and build support. However, at a Melbourne crowd-funding workshop, a successful campaigner claimed to have raised the same amount of money as me in only 30 days (1/3 of the time). The thing about drawing it out is that there is a “U Shape” trend of enthusiasm from supporters. Statistics (according to other speakers from the workshop) show that most of the funds are raised within the first 48 hours of the campaign and the last 48 hours. All the time in the middle can really drag – for you and the supporters. And from the point of view of the campaigner, it can be hard to maintain enthusiasm, hopefulness, and drive, when no one is pledging cos you’ve been promoting it for 2 months already. Either way, choose the timeframe that is right for you.

DOs & DON’Ts

I hope this is of help to you.

If there are other questions I haven’t addressed, shoot me an email jen@jennybiddle.com and I’ll see if I can answer. But remember, I’m one little person with one little experience. There are more ways to do things. Be creative, step outside the square.

Go get ‘em!!!!

Feel free to leave comments, ask questions, share experiences with others.

15 March 2013 – The Thornbury Theatre

Dave Kleynjans (drums), David Rogers (bass)

Recorded and produced by Thirsty Merc’s former guitarist, Sean Carey, this album is by far Jenny’s proudest work to date, with a great mix of original tunes, from blues to country, rock, folk and everything in between. Jenny plays guitar, piano, banjo, mandolin and harmonica on the album, and is accompanied by talented musicians including Sean Carey on bass and extra guitars, Jason Walker on pedal steel, Beau Golden on keys, and Michael Quigley on drums who bring this album to life. With beautiful images from Raditya Fadilla, and album artwork by Katrina Leighton, you’ll want to get your hands on a copy of this album.

The physical album, with guitar tunings, lyrics, full credits and list of supporters is available from the Jenny Biddle Online Shop

The album can be downloaded from iTunes

BUY PHYSICAL CD NOW

Track Listing:

1. Hero in Me
2. Across the Nullarbor
3. Pockets
4. Running Out of Lies
5. Chasing Stars
6. Somebody to Love
7. Big Bad World
8. The Finish Line
9. A Place in the Sky
10. Winter Sun
11. Sweet Tooth
12. Hide

Credits:
Jenny Biddle: vocals, acoustic, electric, and lead guitars, piano, harmonica, banjo, mandolin
Sean Carey: bass, percussion, slide guitar, acoustic and electric guitars
Michael Quigley: drums
Beau Golden: piano, organ, Wurlitzer, keys
Jason Walker: pedal Steel
Backing vocals on Somebody to Love and Chasing Stars done by Mumma Biddle, Travis Gardiner and Stuart Maurice.

All songs composed by Jenny Biddle
Recorded & Mixed by Sean Carey at Trackdown Studios, Camperdown, NSW, Australia
Produced by Sean Carey. Co-produced by Jenny Biddle
Mastering by Don Bartley, Blaxland, NSW, Australia
Album Art by Katrina Leighton
Photography by Raditya Fadilla, Kat Hawke Photography, Jenny Biddle

Release Date:  15.3.2013

Label: Independent
Thank yous from Jenny:

Many thanks to my loving family, friends and beautiful partner for supporting me over the years, and for putting up with my musical ways. You keep me going. Wow! Album #3! Sean Carey, you are a legend! Thanks for your passion, heart and your enriching talent. In return, I hope you’ve learned the art of a good cuppa tea. Travis, for insisting Sean and I make music together. Cricket, my managerial bouncing board. Rad Rad, keep capturing magical moments. Cai, the Hero I need.

A huge thank you to the generous people who helped crowd-fund Album #3. This is for you. You believed in the project, funded it so generously, and allowed me to go into the studio and do what I do most passionately. I couldn’t bring myself to put ‘Roo Poo’ in my best work, but I’ll find another way to make it up to you. Thanks Alan Clement, Andrew Handmer & Elly Brus, Andy & Kezza Taylor, Anthea Palmer, Beastie & Bill Biddle, Belinda Atherton-Northcott, Bev & Matt Coldhurst, Brendan & Kim Hopkins, Cai Balara, Caroline Vogels & Trish Ayers, Chris Rickard, Chris Wynne & Fiona Mitchell, Danielle Madeley, Ed Buller, Eric Allbutt, Geoffrey Rutledge, Grazy, Greg & Bones Mackinnon, Gypsy & Brad Merritt, Jeroen Kay, Jess Branch, Julie Adams, Kieran Collings, Lauren Taylor, Mook & Jude Summons, Mark Missen, Mark Wells, Maurita Walker, Megan Williams, Misty Wohlman, Nico Schlitter, Nicola Nossal, Peter Harbour, Peter Salt, Phil Allen, The Quinlans, Rachel Janes, Ray Smith, Rayme Harvey, Renee Cleveland, Sharae Alvarez, Shaun Hoult, SS BB, Sue Ashe, Sue Poustie, Tweety Bui, Wendy Cutler, and many more beautiful people.

Thanks all for buying my music, coming to gigs, for couches to sleep on, and food in ma belly to keep me doing what I do. I hope this album has a little bit of something for your every mood.

Till Album #4, love and thanks,

Jenny

Planning your Big Beautiful Day?

Music is a gorgeous part of any celebration, and is especially beautifully sentimental and uplifting for your wedding day.

I’d be honoured to provide the live entertainment on your special day. From music for walking down the aisle, to signing the registry and/or playing for up to 4 hours at the reception.

I have around 8 hours of cover material to chose from (and as always I won’t deny the request to play one of my ditties).
Click to view SONG LIST

Set times are 45 min with 20 min breaks (up to 4 sets), but this can be flexible to work in with your speeches, cake cutting, and other ceremonies.

Price includes PA, and depends on the number of sets, distance from Melbourne, and the learning of a particular song/s for the ceremony.
To obtain a quote, email me at jen@jennybiddle.com

Have fun planning your special day!

~ Bones Mackinnon, The Swamp Dog Show – Casey Radio 97.7FM

“…soothing quality to it and wraps itself around you like a warm blanket…”
“…Biddle’s warm and inviting vocals begin on a very personal journey…takes you through the highs and lows of love, but without the melodrama that often accompanies it.”

~ Dominique Wall, Inpress Magazine

“...most impressive solo…”

~ Mark Dearborn [fan/musician]

“Jenny Biddle creates an impressive landscape of music to paint her words upon. A compelling and honest storyteller, I’ve listened to all three albums back to back, and back to back again.”

~ Kerryn Fields [Musician]

Photo by www.lea-photography.com.au

~ Geoff and Carole Kirwood [fans]

“An effervescent storyteller with pop and fizz…..a tiny bundle of talent.”
“You can feel the thoughtful introspective lows and the joyful soaring highs all in the space of a five minute ride…a powerhouse.”

~ Mark Missen 88.3 Southern FM

“Jenny Biddle is a fabulous little Aussie talent. Her original songs & brilliant guitar playing make her a wonderful artist to watch & listen to. We’ve traveled far & wide to watch Jenny Biddle perform – she’s fantastic! I own every CD Jenny Biddle has ever recorded & I love them all!”

~ Deb Bourke [fan], Trish Ayers [fan] & Caroline Vogels JOY FM 94.9

“...intricate and complex guitar playing, beautiful vocals, perfectly matched by her fantastic song writing…”

~ Grant Hart [fan/musician]

On 15 March 2013, Jenny released her 3rd album Hero in Me.