The Decriminalization of the Natural Artist (Go Fund Me)

• published: 25 Nov 2015
• views: 11

https://www.gofundme.com/38bzzyek " I was 11 years old. I had just walked into my last class of the day which I would later come to know as the most fun because it was in the school gym and where else can you run around and feel human. There was something about being a small guy in a big school that made it to where everyday was a chance to come out of my shell and meet someone new. It was in this exact gym class that I would brush against my life's purpose. As I sang a little tune to the walls others could not help but notice something they enjoyed about it and I, could not hide my shy face from being recognized as the source of the sound nor could I hide the exalting joy in my heart at what my music had done. I had found proof that I existed and that we existed beyond our skin." So, my name is Mahlon Jackson, I've been playing and writing music my entire 22 years of life; or at the very least hearing and loving it. I play by ear which didn't seem so special to me early on other than the fact it felt nice to hear a tune and lyrics and be able to express them like I would with speaking. I figured other people were just too scared to do the same thing and I didn't really know why, but now, I can totally understand why. Firstly, for me, music has literally been the thing to save my life from many misguided decisions and I imagine it always will be I simply can't separate the two in my head even if I dare tried. My heart sings to me so I can't and don't want to escape that, especially in a world that talks "at" me, telling me to please see, hear, do, and be something i'm not only to later on tell me they cannot relate to me because i'm not being myself. I'm raising money to fund a musical journey, documentation, and creative project of what it's like to live in a society where a basic natural right to rhythm and vibration has been hijacked and hoodwinked by the corporatization of both people and the music they create. This will allow me to build a platform, through music and video, for an awareness of the struggles of artistry when your competing with a plethora of corporations for your right to be heard and expressed as, with, and by your art and a natural inclination to connect with people as who, where, and when they are. These days I'm a bartender in Atlanta, with an awesome set of family and friends who keep life full of new and exciting things to share. All of our money however goes to basic living expenses. So this money will go towards owning a decent camera, and microphone for better quality art. It will also go towards a guitar that's not broken, lighting, and gas to get to and from shooting locations and maybe even be able to pay for entry into some showcases and platforms to be seen. The reason this is so important to me is because it emotionally kills me to submit to the psychopathic destruction of passionate and enlivened music, just for personal profit. In so many ways I owe my lyrics and visions to everyday people like me who inspire me. I just think it's an incredible honor to be funded by the very people that inspire me. What better way to inspire them back than to involve them and invite them in my heart. I will need funds by the summer because I would Love, Love, Love, to travel the U.S. and document my journey. As well as get good music in circulation as soon as possible. I'm thankful to even watch how this whole thing unfolds and I'm thankful there's even a way to ask for support. Of course, it's exciting to hope to own everything I need to bring music to a higher state of life in the world but to have it is indescribable! I've never been more determined to do anything and I cant do it alone nor do I want to in any way. it's just music is not meant to be lonely.