A fictional story-album is in the works, and I want you to hear the songs before anyone else...

Hi.

This is Zack from The Walla Recovery. A big thank-you for taking the time out of your day to read this.

Cutting to "the chase": What is this all about? Well, this, right here, is sort of an experiment. I'm reaching out to people who have supported our music in the past. Even if it doesn't turn out to be something you want to be a part of, that's ok with me... I am just happy to have the chance to tell you about it and perhaps get your feedback if you have time to send that along. So thank you for being someone I felt I could share this idea with.

I'm writing a new album. And this album is actually kind of weird because it is going to tell a fictional story I've been working on. I've written a 50,000-word rough draft of it, and about a hundred pages of outlines and notes and character backstories on top of that, over the last three years.

It's a story about a little girl who grows up in a home void of compassion. She needs a transformation from bitterness to joy; it happens through suffering. And it's the story of the boy who has loved her since childhood, and the lengths he will go to, to redefine her entire life for good. Here are some lyrics from the first song, She Is the One:
Instead of writing a book or a screenplay, however (keep in mind I've little idea how to do either), I want to tell the story through song. I've got several songs written and I am writing more every month.

I've been through some difficult times over the past few years and this story is my way of responding and processing all of it. I can't help but think that sharing my story might help someone out there. So that is my purpose and that is my hope. Otherwise I think I would be way too frightened to show you who I really am and what I really think about and struggle with every day. I hope to find out I'm not alone, and neither are you.

I don't know if this whole "fictional story-album" idea is actually going to work. Honestly I'm nervous about putting it out there for you to hear. But enough of it is on paper now and I've spent the time on it to know that I like the story, I want it to come to life, and I hope it encourages people with some sense of truth and beauty I have seen by talking with people who have suffered (a lot) more than I have.

My commitment to the work is that I'm going to keep writing and recording songs until this project is done. I'll be writing songs on a regular basis even if no one was ever to hear them. And that's why I'm doing something which makes me even more nervous: to go ahead and ask if you would be willing to support the work, while it's being created.

In exchange for a dollar or more per song that I write, you will be able to download a demo recording of each song. There may be some short instrumentals or written portions of the story for you to read, but those would be extra free content in addition to the songs.

You will have the chance to offer your feedback to me on this site or through email, and to see how my creative failures and successes (I hope!) play out toward the final album. I will offer the content to other people at different times, but you and I will know that we are part of a small group of people who made this album happen.

Some months will be more productive than others. No matter how many songs I write per month, you will simply pay the amount you've chosen to set per song. Also, you can set a cap on your total monthly spending, so that if I churn out 10 songs in one month, you will receive all of them but still pay no more than the monthly maximum you have set.

The story-album has taken me months of free time and I expect it will take many more. If a large number of people join us then it will help me to finish faster, and if not, that's ok, too. I am in this for the long haul and I'm wondering if anyone out there is willing to do the same.

Ok, I hope that covers it! I know I have talked long enough, as always. If you have any questions at all, contact me at band [at] thewallarecovery.com. You can sign up on this site if you're interested or just offer me some input on what you think of this idea. Even if you are not interested, I'm happy to hear anything you have to say.

And whatever happens from here, thank you so much for supporting my music in the past. I'm grateful to be encouraged by you, however our paths may have crossed, whether you're an acquaintance or long-time friend.

Thanks again for reading this. I hope you have a great day! See you soon...

– Zack (& The Walla Recovery)

PS: Just in case you have no idea what The Walla Recovery is at all, check out thewallarecovery.com and join our mailing list to get some free music delivered to your inbox. Blessings!