CROWDFUNDING RADAR: House of Hamill, Amelia White, and Crow and Gazelle

One of the things I love about doing this column is introducing new artists releasing their debut albums. But I also enjoy revisiting artists who I’ve featured before. Some crowdfund their first album out of sheer necessity. Those who come back to the well a second or third time are usually the ones who truly “get” crowdfunding, who thrive on the behind-the-scenes fan interaction that is an essential part of a good campaign. So this month, I’m featuring two artists I’ve written about before who are funding their follow-up albums and rounding it out with an artist looking to release their debut.

House of Hamill – Wildfire (click here to view campaign)
I featured House of Hamill back in 2021 when they funded their last album, Folk Hero. What drew me to feature them again for their new project, Wildfire, was the same thing that brought them to me as a new find: their sense of fun and enthusiasm. As evidenced by their cinematic (and downright funny) campaign video, this is a trio who remembers to enjoy themselves. So, in the spirit of that sense of fun, they have promised their new album will be “ … a bunch of fun songs. Mostly about death.” Not a surprise from a band with such deep Celtic roots to their music. They’re offering the record in digital, CD, and for the first time, vinyl formats (black and multicolor). Other backer perks include T-shirts and hoodies, an exclusive copper pendant, a custom instrumental tune, and a chance to hang at Waffle House with the band after a show.

Amelia White – Love I Swore (click here to view campaign)
It’s only been slightly more than a year since I featured Amelia White’s last campaign. Since then, I’ve gotten to see her live at the last two AmericanaFests and have come away impressed both times. So when she announced a campaign for Love I Swore recently, I knew I had to feature the “Queen of the East Nashville Underground” (credit our own Amos Perrine for that label) once again. This time, White worked with producer Kim Richey and co-wrote with artists like Mando Saenz, Monica Rizzio, and Tom Kimmel. She’s hired a publicity firm and has support from her label Thirty One Tigers but needs that last infusion of cash to release and promote it correctly. The album will be available in digital, CD, and limited-edition vinyl formats. You can also get one of her “guitar series” art prints, a “Queen of the East Nashville Underground” shirt, a personal letter mailed to you each month, and a painted portrait of your pet.

Crow and Gazelle – Debut Album (click here to view campaign)
Crow and Gazelle may be recording their debut album, but they are by no means “new” artists. Mike McClure is a fixture on the Oklahoma and Texas roots scene, a founding member of The Great Divide, and a prolific producer of everyone from Cross Canadian Ragweed to Turnpike Troubadours. McClure’s partner Chrislyn Lawrence is a well-known singer, videographer, and producer in the regional scene. The songs on their debut album deal with spiritual healing, a reckoning with religious upbringings, and the political divisions that have broken up not only political parties but families in the past five years. The self-produced album has already been recorded, so the band’s $20,000 campaign is to fund its release and promotion. The album will be released in digital and CD formats. Other backer perks include an exclusive Kickstarter concert, a Crow and Gazelle art print, and private yoga lessons.