Overview

Hello world! My name is Arissa and I'm a singer-songwriter here in the beautiful city of New York, New York.

I’ve been making music since I knew how to make noise– from music theater, to choirs, church gigs, jam sessions, and songwriting. My mom’s career as a musician inspired me from a young age: some of my first musical memories are learning to harmonize with her in the car, and being accompanied by her on the piano. I feel so lucky to have been immersed in the performance, composition, and appreciation of music from a young age. After getting my Bachelor’s of Music from Oklahoma City University and moving to New York this past fall, I’ve felt more and more compelled to share the music I’ve been writing for a decade with all of you!

The material is ready, and the musicians are waiting -- this Plaid Dog campaign is the final step toward creating my first ever, professionally produced studio album.

This campaign is raising funds for my professionally recorded album with Carter Sanders in Boston, MA. Carter is a seasoned Boston-based producer and engineer with experience working with both established and up-and-coming musicians. Together, Carter and I are digging into my original material, writing arrangements, and reaching out to local musicians to bring the songs to life.

We’ve been able to cover the costs of recording and producing one song, which is ready for you to check out right here on this page. This first song is called “Word of Mouth,” and you can check it out below!

While I’ve been able to fund the recording process for "Word of Mouth” on my own, to create an album of songs of this quality, studio costs add up quickly. With that said, this campaign can give us a unique opportunity to collaborate and make great art together. Your donation will cover the following costs of my project:

1. Pre-Production: This is where everything starts. Carter and I will start crafting the arrangements for each song slated for the album. We’ll hold rehearsals to fine-tune the songs and arrangements and talk through new and exciting ideas for how to approach the recording process.

2. Recording: This is when we enter the studio and start capturing the music and where the songs become what you'll hear on this album. This campaign will play a huge role in making sure we have enough time to capture great performances for every member of the band.

3. Mixing & Mastering: Each track will get mixed to create the right balance between instruments, texture and color that make up a track. As a final step, the album will be mastered from beginning to end so that the listening experience is cohesive and carefully choreographed from start to finish.

And what will you get for your generosity and support? So many awesome things!

I am so appreciative and grateful for any support you can lend to this campaign. In exchange for your generosity, I've put together a really exciting group of gifts that are available exclusively through your participation in this campaign.

Check out some examples below and a full list to the right!

It's hard to express how much this project would change my life.

When it comes to how I want to spend my life, music has always been a major element of how I envision my future. Music is a unifying and healing force, a way to express the most vulnerable parts of yourself and help others feel seen. For the first time, I’ve been given the opportunity to record my songs, and I’m so grateful for the chance to share it with my community.

Community itself is a huge factor in music making– growing up in theater and choral spaces, I learned just how much it can impact the creation of art. Collaboration and connection lead to innovation, whether between fellow musicians, or those who aid the process in other ways! Knowing you can rely upon others and ask them for help in finding the fully realized version of your vision is a beautiful element of the relationships you build as an artist– which is why I’m seeking your support in this new phase of my work.

In preparation to venture into my first professional recording experience, I’ve done so much work and practice to polish my material and skills to share with you. I’m so thankful for the people who have already encouraged me, and for those who helped me pursue my degree in music. Through my community, I’ve sharpened and deepened my musical knowledge, and I hope to channel it into something new and exciting with your help!

If you're ready to contribute, just click the "Back This Project" button on the top right of this page! Every little bit counts, and I’m so grateful for all your support.

If you have folks in your network that would be interested in supporting me, please feel free to share this page with them.

Thank you so much for checking out my campaign page. I can't wait to share this music with you.