Renew the Arts partnered with The Breath & The Clay for a songwriter sponsorship contest open to ticketholders for their 2020 conference. The package included in-depth artistic critique, full production at Clubmen Studios, and a music video produced by Isaac Deitz (director for Lecrae, Propaganda, Family Force 5, and more). Though the conference was postponed and the collaboration was conducted from a distance due to COVID-19, Carly Taich’s colorful and cheery chamber pop single “Pollyanna” inspired everyone involved in the project.

Renew the Arts helped Carly Taich realize her vision for this single and video free of charge and free of strings by:

• providing in-depth artistic feedback and critique
• providing session musicians
• mixing the record at Clubmen Studios
• creating album art in-house
• commissioning and paying for music video production
• providing publicity materials and strategies 
• sending the record for review to blogs with which we have developed relationships over the years
• recommending the record to our fan base
• paying for advertisement with various independent music platforms

Estimated monetary value of sponsorship: $8,700

The Man I Thought I’d Never Be is Anthony Quails’ second partnership with Renew the Arts. After exploring his ideas through myths and fables on his sophomore record, Before the Bright Lights, Quails turned inward. He took a break from performing to focus on his family and his role as a father. In his return to songwriting, Quails pivoted to autobiography, chronicling five moments from this three-year period that have shaped him as a person and an artist.

Renew the Arts helped Anthony Quails realize his vision for this EP free of charge and free of strings by:

• providing in-depth artistic feedback and critique
• providing session musicians
• mixing the record at Clubmen Studios
• creating album art in-house
• providing publicity materials and strategies 
• sending the record for review to blogs with which we have developed relationships over the years
• recommending the record to our fan base
• paying for advertisement with various independent music platforms

Estimated monetary value of sponsorship: $3,600

Drawing influence from Americana and the 60s/70s protest folk tradition, Jesse Jack Murray’s direct lyricism and evocative story-telling lays bare the pain and beauty of human experience, as it is and as it could be. Having written music since his teens and co-founding the folk-rock band Brock’s Folly (disbanded in 2016), Murray has continued his musical career in a solo effort. His first proper studio album, Trail of Tears, was released in partnership with Renew the Arts.

Renew the Arts helped Jesse Jack Murray realize his vision for this record free of charge and free of strings by:

• providing in-depth artistic feedback and critique
• providing session musicians
• loaning recording equipment and microphones
• additional recording at Cubed Root Sound
• mixing and mastering the record in-house
• creating album art and digital booklet layout in-house
• providing publicity materials and strategies 
• paying for digital distribution for the single and the full album
• sending the record for review to blogs with which we have developed relationships over the years
• recommending the record to our fan base
• paying for advertisement with various independent music platforms

Estimated monetary value of sponsorship: $10,650

Walk Home Instead, the first full-length offering from Jackson’s Make Sure project, speaks to a spiritual journey following failed relationships. Jackson’s insight continues to blossom as he reflects on grace and growth. In a sense, they’re “anti-emo emo songs.” Through the lovelorn musings and the sting of breakups, Jackson’s focus remains on things greater than shame or the mere feeling of heartache.

Renew the Arts helped Make Sure realize their vision for this record free of charge and free of strings by:

• providing in-depth artistic feedback and critique
• providing session musicians
• loaning recording equipment and microphones
• additional recording at Clubmen Studios
• mastering the record in-house
• creating album art and layout in-house
• providing for digital distribution
• providing publicity materials and strategies 
• sending the record for review to blogs with which we have developed relationships over the years
• recommending the record to our fan base
• paying for advertisement with various independent music platforms

Estimated monetary value of sponsorship: $7,600

Civilized Creature’s seventh album, The Way Back Home, represents yet another stage in that development. Here, you can hear the prolific Lane beginning to settle down into a confidently under-stated poise. Neither tongue-tied nor talkative now, Civilized Creature drops most of the spoken word rap in his latest release, choosing instead to let the music speak for itself. Hardly a word has been heard, but volumes have been communicated.

Renew the Arts helped Civilized Creature realize their vision for this record free of charge and free of strings by:

• providing in-depth artistic feedback during the sequencing and mastering process
• distributing the record digitally through our Renew the Arts Bandcamp label
• sending the record for review to blogs with which we have developed relationships over the years
• recommending the record to our fan base
• paying for advertisement with various independent music platforms

Estimated monetary value of sponsorship: $1,750