HEY THERE

My name is Brittany Ann Tranbaugh, and I’m a Philly-based independent Americana artist who writes clever, engaging, memorable songs. Here's a bit of lore if you're new to the party:

After a multi-year hiatus to focus on my mental health and explore other career paths, I returned to music-making in 2021. In that time, I've released three EPs and ten singles, played 300+ shows in 23 different states, assembled a stellar backing band, won the top prize in two major songwriting contests, and quit my office job.

I adore my work, my collaborators, and my small, mighty, rapidly-growing community of fans. I'm currently paying my bills through a combo of gigs, merch sales, Patreon subscriptions, and a side hustle as a server for a catering company. However, maintaining a music career requires so much more than the basic necessities. The up-front costs of recording music, producing merch, and touring are shockingly expensive. Now that I’ve built a solid fan base, the logical next step for me is to record and release a full-length album with my band, but I can’t afford to do it on my own.

That’s where you come in, dear community. I’m asking for you to collectively be my record label. I have my team all lined up. I have the songs (including fan favorites you’ve heard at live shows: “So What If I’m Not Conventionally Attractive,” “When Our Timing’s Right,” and “Lucky Broke Girl”). Now, I need the funding. If you’ve ever been moved, delighted, or inspired by my music, and you want me to keep making it, I’d so deeply appreciate any amount you can contribute to this campaign.

ABOUT THE PROJECT

The plan is to record 10 songs in 5 days at Elm Street Studios in Conshohocken PA with producer Nick Krill and my bandmates Joe Plowman (bass), Adam Shumski (drums), Liz Faure (pedal steel, guitar), and Shona Carr (fiddle, banjo, guitar).

This batch of songs is optimistic and joyful without being delusional. Written during and after the end of a decade-long relationship, the songs are personal and specific while being widely relatable. If you’re already a fan, you know I love using wit to add levity to difficult subjects, and there’s a lot more of that to look forward to here. Sonically, you can expect an increase in country vibes with the addition of pedal steel, fiddle, and banjo into the band.

I know I say this every time, but I mean it: these are my best songs yet, and if I’m able to record and release them, they will resonate with folks and expand my audience.

THE BUDGET

If you don’t work in the music industry or an adjacent field, these numbers might surprise you. I promise you I’m not getting swindled, nor am I swindling you. This is simply what it costs to make an album in 2025 at the quality level appropriate for my career goals. I’m also not willing to ask my collaborators to do this labor for free or cheap. They are professionals who deserve to be fairly compensated, and I hope you agree with me on that!

Main Goal - $25k
Covers recording costs & basic reward fulfillment

$16,000 to hire Nick Krill to produce, engineer, and mix 10 songs AND rent Elm Street Studios in Conshohocken for 5 days
$1,500 to master the album
$5,600 to pay 4 musicians $200/day to record and $100/day to rehearse
$750 to feed everyone
$850 to design and produce 500 stickers and magnets as funding rewards
$300 to purchase and send thank you cards to you, dear funders

Stretch Goal #1 - $30,000
Covers Production of Vinyl, CDs, and shipping them to backers who donated $50 or more

$1,000 to commission album artwork
$3,000 to produce 300 vinyl records
$500 to produce 300 CDs
$500 to Offset reward fulfillment shipping

Stretch Goal #2 - $35,000
Covers additional merch + promo costs I’d otherwise eat

$1,000 to produce 100 more vinyl records (400 total)
$150 to produce 100 more CDs (400 total)
$850 to offset reward fulfillment shipping costs
$3,000 to promote the record via online ads, radio, publicity, and more

Stretch Goal #3 - $40,000
Covers touring costs

$5,000 to support a touring budget to bring the full band on a 10-city album release tour in 2026 - van rental, hotel costs, and food

REWARDS

Everyone who contributes to the fundraiser at any donation level will receive a digital download of the album, weeks before it publicly releases. If you opt to share your mailing address, you’ll receive some sweet thank yous in the mail, too.

If we reach stretch goal #1, everyone who donated $50 or more and opted to share their mailing address will receive a vinyl and CD in the mail.

If you make a donation of $150 or more, you can schedule a one-hour mentoring session with me, focused on a topic of your choice like songwriting, social media, or booking.

If you make a donation of $1,600 or more, I can play a private concert for you and friends OR write you a custom song.

Contact me at brittanyannmusic@gmail.com

VULNERABILITY AND GRATITUDE MOMENT

I’ve gotta be real with you: asking for this support feels a little weird! Times are tight for a lot of folks, and there are so many other things screaming for everyone’s attention. Most things in the world feel more urgent and consequential than this project. Please know that you caring enough to read this is huge to me, and I sincerely appreciate anything you do within your capacity to support my work, whether that is donating or just helping me spread the word.

xoxo BAT

cover photo by Elyse Franco

Help BAT make a full-length album!

Be my record label? <3