About Supporting the Artist and the Independent Music

Now when I am having my campaign at http://www.pldegemusic.com/projects/timotolkki I have naturally been in touch with many people with their questions and concerns. I have tried to answer to them all.
Making music in this way is the best way for me. Absolutely. It gives me the freedom in all creative and artistic decisions and to use a street language, it keeps the bullshit out from the process.
There was a time when recorded music did not exist. Composers like Beethoven and Mozart were living and writing music frighteningly the same way than the PledgeMusic system. People came to them and comissioned a sonata or just gave them money to support them in their work because they loved their music.

In my campaign, one man contacted me and wanted to give me 1000 euros to support my music.
And here is the essence of this whole idea of crowdfunding and Pledgemusic. When you go to that PledgeMusic page and you see the items, they are actually not important. What is important for me if you are a fan of my music that you support me. It is the only way to survive in this music environment when sick things like Idols and other McDonalds type quick buck things rule and all interesting music is dying. Fast.

People must realize that the music industry is dying and it will continue to make quick bucks as long as they can, which will be some years.
So when you buy that new CD of mine beforehand, it is not only a safe way to do it, at the same time you are saying “thank you” to me and my 25 year music career with 300 songs, 3000 shows and 25 CD’s. I have been an entertainer. For you. Now that I am asking help from you, I am not doing it as some people suggest as begging. I am proud of you and I salute you. In all these years when you have listened to my songs and read my lyrics, I have shown you my soul. I have given everything.

Now in the crossroads of the dying music industry and the new being born, where things like Deluxe Boxes can exist, it is the most important thing that when you are buying an item from the shop, you are not only buying an item. You are saying “thank you” to me and supporting my future, so I can continue to bring you new musical adventures in the future as well.

My friends, it is all in your hands. Composer is nothing without his fans and supporters.

Helsinki 20.4.2012 T i m o

CREDO: I BELIEVE

In the last weeks a melody has been playing in my head constantly. It starts to play when I wake up in the morning and it plays on and off during most off the day. This melody has only one word and this word is “credo”. It is the most beautiful melody of mine that I have ever heard. It makes me puzzled and amazed at the same time. And also thankful.

Now, it is not unusual that a thing like this happens to me as a composer. But it has never been so clear.  It has never been so powerful. It has the simplicity and power of the main theme of Beethoven’s 9th Symphony.

Today, on this wonderful Spring Sunday the sun is finally shining from blue sky. The ice is melting from the sea. The swans and countless of other birds have finally arrived. It means I have to take my camera and capture this beauty of amazement of the beauty of the nature. The sun reflects from the rocks and trees paving the way for awakening of the Nature. It is truly so beautiful that it has the capacity make one cry. I am convinced that as a composer my relationship to the Nature has a profound effect to the beauty of my music. This miracle of Nature is speaking directly to my soul.

Many people have been writing to me about my planned double solo album “Classical Variations 2:Credo”. In this moment, all it really is, is a collection of different themes and ideas.

I have asked my core fans, those who truly care about my music and its continuity, to help me to make this album true so I can continue my musical career. In the previous blog I wrote about leaving the music industry. I as an artist just had enough of that. 

I wrote a book called “Loneliness of a Thousand Years” 2 years ago. Now I put it to internet as a free download. In just 2 weeks this book has been downloaded by more than 16 000 people. This made me think that there must be some kind of interest to my personality and to my music as well. Getting familiar with a system where your fans actually become the record company and support you before the record is done makes a lot of sense to me.

This is the essence of my campaign at http://www.pledgemusic.com/projects/timotolkki. It doesn’t mean that you buy blindly a project that you haven’t heard. I am not asking you to do that. What I am asking you to do is first to believe in me (Credo means to believe in something) and secondly to support me no matter what. It means to give your support in financial form as you can afford. This is all I am asking really.

Credo…to believe in something. When I look at this magnificient view on this April Sunday afternoon, I am filled with belief. I believe. I believe in many things. But most of all, I believe that I have musically something very important to say. And to make this more beautiful, it can only be done in connection to the people who love my music.

So I am asking you to think about what “Credo” means. It is very important. I wish you a nice Sunday and Spring, the time of birth.

 

                        SIncerely, Timo