Hi! I am a South African indie artist and about a year ago I decided to try a different way to fund the recording and distribution costs of my first album. What I have been doing is selling copies of my CD for R150 / $20 upfront to fans before I go into studio. Future Owners of my album have been effectively helping me to raise the cash I need (approx R300,000.00) and they are listed on my website www.iamverity.com with what CD# they own. It has been amazing to watch the list grow in the last year, and I now have 1000 Future Owners of my album from 25 countries around the world. I called the initiative The Lucky Packet Project and set it up that 10.6% of every album would go to 2 charities. With 1000 albums already sold I have been able to buy linen and crockery for a woman's shelter for POWA and my own charity THE LIVE YOUR DREAMS FOUNDATION has been able to pay for a young singer to record her first demo. I am having so much fun doing things differently and making a difference at the same time. It is awesome to know exactly who the people are who are making my success possible and I dig being able to let them know where the money is going and who it is helping. It looks like I will start the recording process in May but am still hoping to have loads of people come on board and be part of the Future Owner's creating the album with me. If you want to be part of it then please visit my site www.iamverity.com and join the journey!

visit her on myspace at www.myspace.com/iamverity

Folk Rock / Pop / Afro-beat