My Story
Norell was first discovered at Zander's High Seas Heaven body-painting fantasy exhibition in Minneapolis. She stood amongst a slew of models, standing only in heels and a thong, preparing to become Zander's canvas. Norell had been singing in karaoke bars and uploading her videos to the internet, along with performing cover song sets around town, and Zander took notice. He began working with her on photo projects, shooting her, and she quickly rose. Upon completing her schooling at the University of Minnesota, graduating with honors and receiving her Bachelor of Arts in Communications at age 21 in May of 2011, she began helping Zander with his projects and working with him even more.
http://www.youtube.com/MaryNorell
While helping Zander with his projects, much was talked about. Zander quickly came to the idea to fuse elements of his signature works into the songbird "Mary Norell Jackson". She was open minded to many ideas and they discussed and reviewed costumes, sets, props, lighting, and various presentation techniques, beginning to form a rough draft to her performance.
http://www.youtube.com/msjackson925
After having recorded her Cover Song Album, "11:11 Shadow Stain", on her computer, which demonstrates her versatile singing range and style, and showcasing many of her influences to her passions of song, audio and music by various musicians, she debuted her first single hit, "Adaptation", launching it to the public eye with two music video releases, thanks to the help of Zander, Johnny Jiron, Karen Alloy, and Christopher Reder.
http://www.soundcloud.com/norell-1
Emmy Winner Karen Alloy, the YouTube sensation known as "Spricket24" and "Karen24Alloy" masterfully assisted with the X Fashion Runway show & concert, where Norell debuted her single "Adaptation" before a live audience for the first time, on September 30th, 2011 at the Lounge Nightclub in downtown Minneapolis.
The concert was a success and a mini-documentary is being made, thanks to Karen Alloy, Chris Reder, Zander, Johnny Jiron & Oliver Kriston, and will be released on Karen's Spricket24 channel. The venue owner informed them that they would be welcome to perform at his club anytime. Club owners and competitors from around town attended the event and reflected the same thoughts, inviting them to their venues as well.
Now, Norell is reflecting on her first live performance and welcoming feedback on her music videos and first single, while continuing to work on her original music. Her song "Adaptation" was recorded on GarageBand on her Macintosh computer. Like her single "Adaptation", each song will be released with a music video, following in the footsteps of pop icon, Prince Roger Nelson.
This campaign aims to raise money for her to buy studio time and help with the costs of production and distribution for her first EP. She will also be putting her album on ITunes.
She needs your help to be able to record and distribute! Additional funds will go towards touring!
The Impact
Norell's campaign will continue her pursuit in her love for music and allow her to inspire and influence others as she dreams of doing. Her campaign will allow her to record and distribute a high quality album and also allowing her to get her music out there to a further extent, thus increasing her exposure. As Ellen DeGeneres is a huge inspiration for her, she dreams of being signed to "eleveneleven", Ellen DeGeneres's record label. With this campaign, she will have increased chances of really standing out and catching her eye.
If her campaign doesn't happen, she will be unable to afford professional studio time and this will lessen her chances of successfully launching her music career and expanding her audience demographics. She is a starving artist, as many in every day and age often are. She is hopeful that art and music patrons, as well as friends, and growing fans, will take an interest in supporting her and helping her grow and succeed.
"Norell is reminiscent of the traditional Gaelic tone, fused with the embodiment of Billie Holiday, with rich, deep, undertones, and delicate, transparent, soprano spiderwebbing into her catchy swing style." -Zander
What I Need & What You Get
A. $1.00 - Name to be included on a gratitude section on my website.
B. $5.00 - Personal thank you letter mailed to an address you provide.
C. $10.00 - 4X6 autographed print.
D. $15.00 - 10X15 autographed poster.
E. $30.00 - Receive A., B., C. + 11:11 Shadow Stain (Cover Song) Album (Limited Edition - 12 Only).
F. $50.00 - Receive A., B., D. + 11:11 Shadow Stain (Cover Song) Album (Limited Edition - 12 Only).
G. $100.00 - A., B., C. + Sexy 12 Month Calendar (Autographed).
H. $500.00 - All of the above + name to be included on inside cover of first album. ("Special Thanks To:")
I. $1,000.00 - All of the above + dedication with song on album. ("This song is for:")
J. $5,000.00 - All of the above + "Album Sponsored by: Your Name."
Contributions to go towards:
$1,000 to cover travel expenses and venue rental in Chicago, IL. (Stage 773, Chicago, IL).
$1,000 to cover travel expenses and venue rental in Seattle, WA. (Venue TBD).
$1,000 to cover travel expenses and venue rental in San Francisco, CA. (Venue TBD).
$700 for marketing, editorials and promotions, press coverage.
$700 for studio rental in Seattle.
$300 for online distribution.
$300 CDs, DVDs of music videos and live footage physically mailed to various radio stations around the country, and to Ellen DeGeneres.
If the goal isn't met, the contributions that were received will still go towards studio rental and online distribution, and whatever travel expenses for touring will be covered.
If the goal is met Norell will be eternally grateful for your help and support, and you will be a contributing factor to her ability to succeed and help her dreams come true.
Other Ways You Can Help
If you are unable to make a contribution, or wish you could be of more help to her campaign, please spread the word by sharing this page with everyone you know and anyone who you think may be able to help or know people that know people who may be able to help! Social networks such as Twitter, Facebook, Myspace, Hootsuite, and more make sharing urls easier than ever!
Thank you!
