Technology has in a way made it far easier for a musician to record, but getting it released, that’s a whole different story. Without the support of record labels, as in the past, musicians are left to their own devices, leading to a wave of crowd funding, where a performers fans, friends and family help pay for the music through donations. It’s not easy going, indeed a large percentage of such endeavors fail, but for artists such as Ocean Beach resident and indie rock singer-songwriter Ariel Levine, who is crowd funding his new album, “Let the Machine Get It,” through website Indiegogo, it’s really the only way to make the dream of recording and releasing music a reality. Levine, a New York transplant who arrived locally five years ago is a full time musician, a member of eight different bands and a recording engineer, but that’s not enough to do the music in his head justice. “In the past, I’ve always had access to studio time in the off hours,” he said. “But that usually meant midnight until sunrise, and sessions would be spread so far and wide that it would take me some time to complete an album. For this album, I have to pay for everything out of pocket. Living off a musician’s budget, I realized It would take even longer to complete this album … years.” So Levine decided to take a risk and reach out to his fans. “I was very reluctant about it at first,” he confirmed. He acknowledges there is a little stigma still attached to using this source of revenue. “I honestly have very mixed feelings about crowdfunding. I believe there are so many other worthy causes in this world for which to donate your time, money and attention. And here I am, some perfectly healthy white guy, living on the beach asking for your hard earned dollars to make his songs! “But I was convinced by certain people that it would be a worthy experiment, that there are people out there who genuinely love to support the arts, and I had something that people would want to contribute to. So I took the risk.” So far the experience has been positive. “I have to say I’m grateful I was convinced to do it. I’m pleasantly surprised with the reception it’s been getting, and I’m completely flattered and moved by the outpouring of support and donations. It’s gone above and beyond my initial expectations.”
Were other financial options considered? “I thought about looking for private investors, sponsorship, etc. But I am not smart enough to put a business proposal together, and I didn’t want to have to make compromises in order to appease a private investor’s “creative spark.” I have a clear vision, and my contributors on Indiegogo seem to admire and respect that,” he said. Does he feel the arts, especially music are supported enough in general? “Boy, that’s a loaded question,” he responds good naturedly. “I have very mixed feelings. I think it’s a very challenging time to be a musician, but I try my best not to be bitter about any of the pitfalls of the current state of the industry,” he remarked. “Instead I try to focus on continuing to do what I do, and hope it falls upon some admiring ears along the way. That’s all I can hope for. Right now, I’m just driven by an overwhelming desire to leave something behind on this planet. To make a contribution to society and to leave a mark before I die.” Though the path to releasing his new music is less than certain, Levine is sure he will continue to produce new sounds. It’s in his blood. “I live by my own rules, make my own schedule, and choose my own path,” he mused. “I never have to compromise who I am or pretend to be something I’m not. I can carry my integrity with me wherever I go. I can do my job from any place in the world, and I choose San Diego,” Levine said.
It’s clear music has taken over his life and he couldn’t be happier as he waits to finish up “Let the Machine Get It.” “I can be broke, have no food, be in failing relationships, lonely. But when I get up on stage with a group of amazing musicians and create something together that lights up the room, when I entertain a crowd of people and to make them happy, when I sweat through my clothes and wake up sore the morning after a great gig. This is the most euphoric feeling in the world I forget about everything else  Nothing brings me more happiness, elation and contentment,” he said. To contribute, visit https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/let-the-machine-get-it-debut-solo-album#/story.