Overview

Hi there, my name is Yolanda Watson, and I'm a singer-songwriter from Brooklyn. NY.

Although I’ve been singing all my life, I didn’t begin writing my own songs until the end of 2018. I was fresh out of undergrad and determined to pursue music. I purchased my ukulele, Omi, and began writing songs that felt true to how I was feeling at the time. When I felt that the songs were in good enough shape, I began sharing them at open mics around NYC. At almost every show, people wanted to know if my songs were on Spotify or Apple Music and they always seemed disappointed when my answer was, "No." The more people resonated with the songs, the more I began to realize that getting them professionally recorded was important.

The material is ready, the musicians are waiting--this Indiegogo 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 Waltham, MA. Carter is a Boston-based producer and engineer. 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 “Onomatopoeia,” and you can check it out below!

While I’ve been able to fund the recording process for "Onomatopoeia" 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 mean to both myself and those who support me.

When I began writing these songs, I wanted to be as honest as possible about what I was feeling at the time. I was struggling with my mental health and dealing with feelings of loneliness. The first time I performed, I was terrified. I’d spent so much time hiding behind a smile that telling the truth felt impossible. I was afraid of rejection and even more so of pity. However, that night when I looked out into the crowd, after having sung the last note of my song, I felt seen and loved, not rejected or pitied. I was overwhelmed by the positive responses I received and touched by the stories that people shared with me regarding their own struggles with mental health. 

The NYC art scene is not always easy to navigate— it takes more than talent to succeed. It takes grit, discernment, knowledge, and resources. There is so much that I do not know, but my desire to learn— to try until I find what works, knows no bounds. I am thankful to have been able to connect and collaborate with so many passionate and talented artists since my pursuit of music in 2018. I truly believe that with your help, the completion of this project will allow me to formulate further connections and establish myself as the artist I, and those who already support me, know that I can be.

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 with page with them.

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