• Hello, my name is Delia Melody, and I am a transgender recording artist working on my first album, Phoenix, tentatively scheduled for release between mid February and mid April 2016
  
  All my life, music has been a passion of mine, but I've found any number of reasons to tell myself that it would be impossible to make my dream of being a musician a reality. In spite of being a multi-instrumentalist, I kept convincing myself that I would never be able to perform or record without becoming part of a group. I told myself that I couldn't write, which turned out not to be true at all, and lastly, I even tried to convince myself that being transgender (MtF) would make being taken seriously or enjoyed as a musician impossible.
  
  I've since learned that none of those things are true, and have begun working towards making my dream a reality, but one factor remains in the way: Cost. This past year has been a trial by fire. After coming out and beginning my transition, I found myself homeless, and without the support of nearly anyone who had been a part of my life before. I lost nearly everything. Thanks to the support of the local transgender community, I was able to find a job, and get back into housing, but due to difficulties I suffer from a disability in conjuction with the oppression I face for my transness, keeping work, and finding new work aside from the self emplloyment which currently barely covers my living costs has proven diffficult.
  
  Fortunately, I've found my calling as an activist, and a musician, and I want to be able to inspire young trans women everywhere to show them that we are just as capable of making our dreams come true as any other people.
  
  The funds I raise will help cover the necessary equipment and production costs to complete work on my album, formally release it, and be able to promote it at live performances locally, and hopefully eventually around the country. A list of items I need include:
  
  My own mixer (currently have one on loan from a friend)
• My own electric guitar (currently have one on loan from a friend for short term recording use only)
• My own Microphone and stand (currently have one on loan from a friend for short term home recording use only)
• A small PA system with speakers and monitors for live performance (Do not have access to any at all currently)
• Camcorder for music videos (Do not have access to any at all currently)
• Funds to cover CD and Album booklet production
• Funds to cover other merchandise and necessities for release performance at local venue
• Funds to cover advertisement
• Possible funds to get into a recording studio for higher quality than possible producing everything on my own

The first single for the album has already been released. You can find the music video above in the description, and it is availabe for purchase on iTunes here: http://itunes.apple.com/album/id1065937514?ls=1&app=itunes

Depending upon the amount of your donation, you may recieve a physical copy of the album upon release, shipped to your door, regular or special edition, unsigned or autographed, once again depending on level of support, however, I can only make this a reality if I achieve my goal. The special edition will include some bonus content, which I'll announce as soon as I know what will be possible, but is likely to include instrumental or live tracks as well as music videos. Thank you so very much for your support. Please help me make my music career dream a reality.