Who is Shelley Nicole & why does she keep talking about her bshe?

I am a vocalist/songwriter/bassist/healer/Independent Artist and leader of the band Shelley Nicoles blaKbshe. I call my sound SolaRoc, which is a blend of rock, funk and soul. But Ive also been known to pull in a bit of blues and whatever else feels good. In 2003 I released my first album she who bleeds on my Red Butterfly Music label with a lot of prayer and help from my friends and family. In 2008 I recorded a live album at Southpaw in Brooklyn, NY during the U People, Brooklyn Pride celebration. A year later I released that recording called The Quick & Dirty EP; again on my own with friends adding remixes, vocals and lending studio time. Im so proud of my first two projects, but this third album is going to be unlike the others for one Big Lovely reason.

The Reason

Award winning singer/songwriter/composer and producer Toshi Reagon is on board to guide this ship to glory.  Toshi, as producer and leader of the band Big Lovely, brings with her a wealth of musical knowledge and studio know-how having produced artists Lizz Wright, Carl Hancock Rux, Gina Breedlove and Sweet Honey in the Rock. She has also shared stages with Lenny Kravitz, Nona Hendryx, Pete Seeger, Meshell Ndegeocello, Chocolate Genius and the list goes on and on.  In our first meeting, Toshi said, an artist should be able to come to the studio and just sing or play and not have to worry about anything else.  Usually I wear all the hats, but this time Toshi will be providing that "artist only" space for me and that is truly a gift.

What it Takes to Make This Happen

Recording an album can be fun, but order to create the album of my dreams there are many factors involved and the biggest is funding. Since my bearthday is November 7th and we are in the season of Spring, which is about bursting forth and bringing about all that you dreamed in the dark of winter; I thought it would be fun, and most of all within budget, to make the goal $17,777. The elemental costs involved in making an album include studio time (recording, mixing, mastering), musicians (including special guest musicians), producer, transportation, food, video, photos, manufacturing, marketing, publicity, analog tape, a hard drive, and any other miscellaneous studio expenses that always arise.  So I call on the magic of 7 and the energy of Spring to make this goal happen. The number 7 is a perfect number and symbol of divine abundance. It is also the number of healing and miracles, faith, and dreams that come true. 

Giving and Receiving: Where You Come In!

Yes I am asking you to give, but I am also giving backto you! No matter which level of donation you choose, you will get the new album and YOUR NAME will appear in the Thank You section of the credits on the album. The more you give the more exciting the give back.  We are pressing limited edition vinyl for all you heads out there, I am giving private Reiki sessions, there is a VIP listening party, you can hang backstage with the band, take yoga along side me, host an acoustic concert at your house with the band and much more.  I fully believe in the power of community and the power to (wo)manifest whatever we need.

Timeline & Updates

The album will be recorded in the late spring and early summer. There will be a soft release at Michigan Womyns Music Festival the first week in August and the official release will happen in late summer. I will update EVERYONE of our progress along the way via video and through my written blog.

Spread the Word

Giving helps for sure! But talking, texting, Tweeting, Facebooking, emailing and the bloody like, all help too!  Its easy! Just click the buttons below the video above.  We need to get the word out not just to my people, but your people too!  If you have friends who are yogis and love music then send them my way.  If you know someone in need of healing and they want to rock their way to health, send them my way. If you know someone who is just sitting on a wad of cash with nothing to do, PLEASE send them my way! LOL!

In Short

Who: Shelley Nicoles blaKbshe
What: Recording 3rd As-Yet-Titled album
Who Else: Producer Toshi Reagon
When: Spring/Summer 2011
Where: NYC
How: With Your Help!
Why: Because you are one of the hairs in the bshe!

To send a donation via snail mail:
Red Butterfly Music
97 Brooklyn Avenue, suite 5F
Brooklyn, NY 11216
Make Check or M.O. to: Red Butterfly Music

PLEASE NOTE: If sending a donation via snail mail please include you email address, home address and specify which incentive you would like to receive so we can make sure to get it to you.