Support Dan Israel - recording artist

I have released 15 albums, including 12 releases just since 2000.  This is what I do.  I write songs, and I make records - I also perform live, too, as much as I can.  Sometimes, a lot. I have never, ever been a slacker.  The music industry has imploded, though.  Streaming (and to a lesser extent, downloading) has decimated the business model.  People just aren't buying music like they used to. But I am still driven to create - to write songs and make records that I am really proud of.  I just made what many are saying is the best record I've ever made - but that kind of quality, and the time to make something that really shines, doesn't come cheaply.  Recording is expensive, and so is hiring the best people to play on one's records.  I would like to do more with my music.  I worked a full-time, demanding day job for 21 years at the Minnesota Legislature, and then I quit in 2017 to play music full-time.  I've put out two strong albums since then (2018's "You're Free" and now 2019's "Social Media Anxiety Disorder") and toured Europe.  I've promoted myself...well, a lot.  But it only goes so far.  

I've been called the hardest working singer-songwriter in Minnesota.  Many people know who I am, but I need some help to keep living this creative life.  I also have two kids, and I'm a very devoted Dad.  I try to watch my spending on everything, but life is expensive.  I almost launched a crowd funding campaign for the new album, but then decided to hold off.  I can't hold off any longer.  I could really use some help.  

I want to keep doing this.  I want to try to tour Europe again, and maybe tour in the US as well.  I want to make more records, and pay for the last one too.  And the one before that.  I want to give this new album the promotional push it deserves. I am very proud of it, and I want people to hear it.  That can only happen if I get some help from you, my fans and supporters and friends. I have tried to do this on my own, but I need to reach out now and ask you if you can help me continue to do this.  I know a lot of people are struggling, and with lots worse problems than me.  But I have also worked really super hard and it takes resources to fuel this whole music thing these days.  I am SO not asking for a handout.  If you support me, you know I will only work that much harder to make things happen in my career.  If you kick in, you can know that it's going to help keep me (Dan Israel) making music, and that's worth something.

I'm not promising a bunch of rewards.  That's more of a Kickstarter thing.  If you kick in to my GoFundMe, it's simply because you believe in me and believe in what I'm doing.  And certainly, if you back this, you can have any of my past records or my new one, for free -that's not even a question.  Done deal.  But you will also know that you are supporting a real and dedicated artist.  One who has won all kinds of awards and had all kinds of great reviews - not just in Minnesota but all over the country and all over the world.  I've been on the national radio charts.  I have had press in national magazines.  I have fans in Europe and all over the world.  Some people really love my music - I just need to keep working to reach more people with it.  I know you believe in me, but that's not enough.  We have to spread the word.  And if you kick in, you are fueling this "machine" that needs some fuel to keep going.  And it WILL keep going, with your help.

I wouldn't ask for any help if the music business hadn't gone to "you-know-what" in the past few years.  But if I get some help, I can keep exploring opportunities.  I can keep working on getting that bigger break - getting my music into the hands of some in the industry who can help me get to that next level - maybe get my songs into TV shows and movies and land me some bigger gigs and a larger following and generate some real revenue so I don't have to keep asking my fans and friends for help. 

There's so much I want to do - I want to make some more amazing music videos.  Tour.  Put out more music on vinyl. Make more records.  Right now, I'm at something of a tipping point - I can go on like I'm going, but then I think I'll be back to having to get a full time day job and won't be able to create like I've been creating these past two years. 

Or I can really take this all forward.  Anything helps.  I'm not a charity - this is to support the arts, and you know I won't let you down, because I've never let you down before (I don't think - at least not artistically).

Thank you, from the bottom of my heart.  I will be forever grateful to you if you can help, and I'll still be grateful to you if you can't.  But if you can, thank you.  And you know I'll keep working hard, and you can be part of helping to make this lifelong, crazy dream of mine really come true.  I'm getting closer - I really am.  I just need a little assistance.  Peace