Individual Artist Project Grant

As an established Duluth artist, this project will highlight the ability of local artists to connect with high level collaborators in their field while still maintaining a working and professional life here in the region. I've noticed a pattern of artists and musicians who feel they need to move away to a metropolis or large scale city environment in order to create connections and increase their audience, and I'd like to argue that this mindset is not necessarily true. Amongst other respected musicians in this region, this project can showcase that multiple levels of professional and creative connections can be accessed while maintaining a thriving arts career right here in Duluth. I think it is important to be an example of this, especially for younger or less established artists and musicians in this region who feel that they have to move to a bigger city in order to have a successful career in the arts. I'd like to tap into these professional connections that I've built as a way to HIGHLIGHT Duluth rather as an excuse to pull me away. It is exciting to consider how this opportunity to work at such a reputable studio could draw in an audience from a national level to place focus on the Duluth arts community. I think this community will benefit from concrete examples of artists working at high levels of professional networking while maintaining residency in the Arrowhead Region. I want to bring what I learn and experience back to this community as a mentor and example. GOALS 1.To continue a timely and consistent pattern of recording and releasing work 2.To create a collection of songs that are a sonic synthesis of my current work and previous work as Lanue 3.To collaborate with established artists that I admire in my field of work OUTCOMES 1.If funded, I will record a full length collection of songs within one year of my latest EP release (in the past,I've gone multiple years between releases) 2.I will combine the use of distinct instrumentation and arrangements that I've currently been utilizing (synths, electronic sounds, vocal lead arrangements, etc.) with the full and lush framework that I was successful in executing in my debut full length Lanue release 3.I will enlist the expertise of engineer Brian Joseph as well as renowned studio musicians and creative collaborators (including Sean Carey, Steve Garrington, etc.) to assist me in recording and producing a collection of 9-11 songs for a full length Lanue album Most importantly, I've historically shown confidence in accomplishing previous projects that have been funded through ARAC. The grants that I have been awarded by ARAC are completed or on track for completion and have been well received by the community with both notable press and state wide recognition. Currently, my artistic work is my only work, and I will/do have ample time and commitment to dedicate to this proposal. I have built in a sufficient amount of time to complete the drafted writing for this project during the entirety of this late winter and spring so that I will be prepared to enter the studio in the fall with new material. I also have written confirmation from Brian that he is excited to host us back at the Hive studio space and is committed to executing this recording project and seeing it through to completion in alignment with my artistic vision. I will know the work was a success if: -I have a collection of 9-11 professionally recorded songs that are sonically recorded at the high levels of industry standard expected in the field -there is evidence of sustained attention of current audience as well as increased audience reach as shown by viewership online and in person, downloads/streams, well-placed shows booked, and secured press features -the collection of songs recorded presents itself as honest, fresh, in alignment with my artistic vision, and are a synthesis of my past and current work -the partnerships established by this proposal will lead to future collaborations and a successful col